Castle Rat unleash new single “Wolf I” ahead of fantasy-themed album “The Bestiary”

Mystical heavy metal outfit Castle Rat have dropped their latest single, “Wolf I,” the second glimpse into their upcoming concept album “The Bestiary”, due out September 19th, 2025, via King Volume Records in the US and Blues Funeral Recordings in the UK and Europe. The track sets the stage for a dark, primal journey into the world the band has meticulously built since their formation.

Described as a symbol of solitude and savagery, the wolf represents the shadow self and acts as a fierce guide through the album’s narrative. Musically, “Wolf I” brings pounding riffs, brooding chants, and an electrifying new solo from guitarist Franco “The Count” Vittore. It also marks the band’s sonic evolution with more layered textures and a heightened sense of drama.

Led by frontwoman Riley Pinkerton—aka The Rat Queen—Castle Rat has built a cult following with their fantasy-laced performances, weaving swords, spells, and storylines into their shows. With a cast of characters including The Count, The Plague Doctor, and The All-Seeing Druid, the band has staged countless “battles” against their nemesis, The Rat Reaperess, in venues across the country.

Their new album, “The Bestiary”, features 13 tracks of mystical metal mayhem. Produced by Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Earth) and mixed by Jonathan Nuñez (Mantar, Torche), the record dives deep into a mythical realm where beasts and legends are captured in song. According to the band, the album is built around a conceptual “book of beasts,” a collection of tales preserved by a figure known only as The Wizard.

Following their earlier single “Wizard,” which channeled classic NWOBHM energy, “Wolf I” shifts into more primal territory while continuing the band’s signature blend of theatricality and riff-driven heaviness. Fans can expect even more from Castle Rat later this year, with tour dates and festival appearances lined up across North America and Europe.

1. Phoenix I: Ardent
2. Wolf I: Tooth & Blade
3. Wizard: Crystal Heart
4. Siren: The Pull of Promise
5. Unicorn: Carnage and Ice
6. Path of Moss
7. Crystal Cave: Enshrined
8. Serpent: Coiled Figure
9. Wolf II: Celestial Beast
10. Dragon: Lord of the Sky
11. Summoning Spell
12. Sun Song: Behold the Flame
13. Phoenix II: Cinerous

Castle Rat European Tour Dates: 
July 27, 2025: Unhinged Fest 2025, CO
August 7–9, 2025: Sonic Blast 2025, Vila Praia De Âncora, Portugal

Castle Rat The Book of Beasts Tour:
September 4, 2025: Assembly, Kingston, NY
September 5, 2025: Sonia Live Music Venue, Cambridge, MA
September 6, 2025: Otis Mountain Get Down 2025, Elizabethtown, NY
September 7, 2025: Piranha Bar, Montreal, QC, Canada
September 8, 2025: Lee’s Palace, Toronto, ON, Canada
September 9, 2025: Ace of Cups, Columbus, OH
September 10, 2025: Reggies Rock Club, Chicago, IL
September 12, 2025: The Ship, Kansas City, MO
September 13, 2025: What’s Left Fest 2025, Colorado Springs, CO
September 14, 2025: The Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City, UT
September 16, 2025: Clock-Out Lounge, Seattle, WA
September 17, 2025: Star Theater, Portland, OR
September 18, 2025: Fantastic Fest, Austin, TX
September 20, 2025: Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music, Berkeley, CA
September 21, 2025: Zebulon, Los Angeles, CA
September 22, 2025: Casbah, San Diego, CA
September 23, 2025: Last Exit Live, Phoenix, AZ
September 24, 2025: Sister, Albuquerque, NM
September 26–28, 2025: Levitation 2025, Austin, TX
September 27, 2025: Last Concert Cafe, Houston, TX
September 28, 2025: Gasa Gasa, New Orleans, LA
September 30, 2025: The EARL, Atlanta, GA
October 1, 2025: Eulogy, Asheville, NC
October 2, 2025: Chapel of Bones, Raleigh, NC
October 3, 2025: The Southern Cafe and Music Hall, Charlottesville, VA
October 4, 2025: Ottobar, Baltimore, MD
October 5, 2025: Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
November 6, 2025: Electric Ballroom, North London, United Kingdom