Please note this is a PREORDER expected the first week of January 2026.
Solid Jade with Black Smoke. "WOLF II" continues the series of records titled after the songs on the album. USA orders only!
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
shipping out on or around January 7, 2026
Purchasable with gift card
$28USDor more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
"PHOENIX II" concludes the series of records titled after the songs on the album. A three-color merge of White, Black, and Red. This is a PREORDER with an estimated ship date of Feburay 21st.
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
ships out within 10 days
Purchasable with gift card
$28USDor more
Shirt
"Unicorn Rider" is the newest design by Alexey Gorboot printed on a natural white cotton tee by Gildan.
ships out within 14 days
Purchasable with gift card
$34USDor more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
13 songs on a high-quality CD with a six-panel jacket. (Images are mockups only.)
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
ships out within 14 days
Purchasable with gift card
$14.99USDor more
Shirt
Castle Rat's first European Tour, Screenprinted Gold and White Ink on black Gildan.
ships out within 10 days
Purchasable with gift card
$34USDor more
Other Apparel
Support the Rat in any situation with these custom Castle Rat socks! Soft, comfy, and stylish. Large socks fit most people.
ships out within 10 days
Purchasable with gift card
$16USDor more
Streaming + Download
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Purchasable with gift card
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
$7USD or more
Cassette + Digital Album
High-quality cassette production of The Bestiary on Ice Blue Cassette. Features a 6-panel fold-out insert. Expected Mid October.
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
ships out within 10 days
Purchasable with gift card
$13.99USDor more
Poster/Print
The incredible Unicorn Rider blacklight poster measuring 18x24 inches and featuring 5 colors with real blacklight flocking. Neon, blacklight-responsive inks that will brighten the darkest dungeon. This first edition print is limited to 200 prints!
ships out within 10 days
Purchasable with gift card
$50USDor more
"Path of Moss" Limited Edition vinyl PREORDER
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Please note this is a PREORDER expected on or around November 20th.
Solid Cyan with Dark Green/Blue Swirls. "Path of Moss" continues the series of records titled after the songs on the album.
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
Sold Out
"The Bestiary" Test Pressing
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Test Pressings from the first run of The Bestiary. Only unplayed copies will be for sale.
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
Sold Out
All Format Bundle
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
All formats, including the WOLF vinyl and the Unicorn Rider shirt.
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
Sold Out
"Crystal Cave" Ultra Clear Vinyl In Standard Jacket
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
The standard record store edition was pressed at Hellbender Vinyl in Pittsburgh. Complete your collection of vinyl titled after the track titles!
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
Sold Out
"PHOENIX" Custom Vinyl in Standard Jacket
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
This red/yellow swirl in clear vinyl represents the power of fire and rebirth. Features a standard single-pocket jacket and a fold-out insert.
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
Sold Out
"WIZARD" Deluxe Vinyl in Gatefold Jacket
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
This Half-Solid Ice Blue/Half Black Blue Splatter Vinyl comes with a deluxe gatefold jacket adn fold-out insert.
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
"Summoning Spell" is a spectacular achievement by Hellbender Vinyl in Pittsburgh. Limited to 500 copies, only 40 will be available for sale via Bandcamp. A rainbow wheel splatter hand-pressed into a clear base. (USA product only)
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
Sold Out
"Wolf" Ice Blue Glitter Vinyl in Standard Jacket
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
"WOLF" is a beautiful single color, Ice Blue opaque vinyl with real glitter sparkles added to the vinyl. Features a single-pocket jacket and fold-out insert.
Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Riley Pinkerton: The Rat Queen, Lead Vocals/Guitar
Franco Vittore: The Count, Lead Guitar
Charley Ruddell: The Plague Doctor, Bass
Josh Strmic: The Druid, Drums
Emerging from New York's vile, creature-infested underground, fantasy heavy metal purveyors CASTLE RAT have announced their impending sophomore album "The Bestiary", to be released on September 19th by King Volume Records (North America) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe).
Since their formation in 2019, CASTLE RAT have created a vivid labyrinth of fantasy lore led by "The Rat Queen" aka Riley Pinkerton. Together with "The Count," "The Plague Doctor" and "The All-Seeing Druid", the group has carried out countless battles against "The Rat Reaperess" with riffs, swords and spells on stages across the country.
Recorded by Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Wolves in the Throne Room, Björk) and mixed by Jonathan Nuñez (Torche, Restless Spirit), the band's latest odyssey features 13 spellbinding tracks of epic carnage and mystical metal. Commenting on the album, The Rat Queen states: “‘The Bestiary’ is a conceptual book of beasts containing a collection of mystical creatures from a world forgotten. The last remaining souls of each have been gathered and preserved by ‘The Wizard.’ Cautionary tales of each beast and The Wizard himself are woven through the power of traditional heavy metal song and spell.”
With the record's announcement, CASTLE RAT have unveiled plans for "The Book of Beasts Tour" in late summer in support of the release. The band is currently an extensive European tour that includes appearances at Hellfest, Mystic Festival, Copenhell, Desertfest, and more.
credits
released September 19, 2025
Basic track production and recording by Randall Dunn
at Applehead Studios and Circular Ruin NYC
Produced by Castle Rat
Mixed and Mastered by Jonathan Nuñez at Sound Artillery Studio
Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Heavy Metal band led by the Rat Queen on a mission to expand and defend ‘The Realm’ from
those who seek to destroy it. She is joined by The Count, The Plague Doctor, and The Druid. Together they face the relentless wrath of their arch nemesis: Death Herself — ‘The Rat Reaperess.”...more
Perfect entry-level trad heavy metal. This genre never clicked with me no matter who I listened to. Iron Maiden, Atlantean Kodex, you name it. I had just begun warming to Khemmis, and this might have just made me a fan. If you're like me and most traditional heavy metal does nothing for you, listen to this. You won't regret it. An epic journey, front to back. porcelainheart-
Blackbraid is a spiritual force in the black metal scene, bringing a unique perspective and culture that was missing until the release of this album. 'Barefoot Ghost Dance on Bloodsoaked Soil' is immensely powerful, showing me that black metal is as strong as ever. 'The River of Time Flows Through Me' is excellent as well, with a crushing melody and unforgettable song title. Hail Sgah'gahsowáh, the new blood of black metal. Obsidian One
Well, after listening to Death and Black Metal for over 35 years, it sometimes gets boring, even if bands try to innovate. But then you stumble upon an album, which immediately clicks: it fresh, but familiar. It’s emotional, intelligent and complex, but not for complexities’ sake. It flows, it works, it’s authentic.
This album is absolutely great, it’s all I want from this kind of music: cold soundscapes, raging fires, the embrace of darkness. 10/10 Ricardo Cristof
