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Castle Rat

The Bestiary

£30.99

Released: 29th May 2026. Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Heavy Metal band hailing from NYC, led by 'The Rat Queen' Riley Pinkerton on rhythm guitar and lead vocals. On her mission to expand and defend 'The Realm' from those who seek to destroy it, The Rat Queen is joined by 'The Count' (Franco Vittore), on lead guitar and backing vocals; 'The Plague Doctor' (Charley Ruddell), on bass; and 'The All-Seeing Druid' (Josh Strmic) on drums. Together they face the relentless wrath of their archnemesis: Death, Herself - 'The Rat Reaperess'. Since the band's pre-plagued inception in October 2019, Castle Rat have released their debut album, 'Into The Realm'. The band has cultivated a fiercely loyal following by curating a riveting, interactive, lore-laden live performance, complete with a choreographed battle scene, recruiting fans who crave swords and sorcery; stoner and doom; battle-babes and beasts; Frazette and Sabbath. 2025 began with an explosive start. Castle Rat launched a record-breaking Kickstarter to fund their second album, fully funding the campaign in just 37 minutes. The month-long fundraiser went on to be the most successful metal Kickstarter in over a decade, closing out at $139k. Just days after the campaign, the band entered the studio to record their second album with producer Randall Dunn (Sunn O, Wolves in the Throne Room, Björk). Castle Rat's second full length album, 'The Bestiary', was released in late 2025 and received mass critical acclaim launching the band into unprecedented realms of heavy music.

More info

Format

Vinyl 12" Album

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*Free UK delivery on orders over £20
(exclusions apply)
Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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Available for International Delivery

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  • Details

    Released:
    29th May 2026
    Category:
    Metal, Doom
    Format:
    Vinyl 12" Album
    Barcode:
    888072775985
  • Description

    Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Heavy Metal band hailing from NYC, led by 'The Rat Queen' Riley Pinkerton on rhythm guitar and lead vocals. On her mission to expand and defend 'The Realm' from those who seek to destroy it, The Rat Queen is joined by 'The Count' (Franco Vittore), on lead guitar and backing vocals; 'The Plague Doctor' (Charley Ruddell), on bass; and 'The All-Seeing Druid' (Josh Strmic) on drums. Together they face the relentless wrath of their archnemesis: Death, Herself - 'The Rat Reaperess'. Since the band's pre-plagued inception in October 2019, Castle Rat have released their debut album, 'Into The Realm'. The band has cultivated a fiercely loyal following by curating a riveting, interactive, lore-laden live performance, complete with a choreographed battle scene, recruiting fans who crave swords and sorcery; stoner and doom; battle-babes and beasts; Frazette and Sabbath. 2025 began with an explosive start. Castle Rat launched a record-breaking Kickstarter to fund their second album, fully funding the campaign in just 37 minutes. The month-long fundraiser went on to be the most successful metal Kickstarter in over a decade, closing out at $139k. Just days after the campaign, the band entered the studio to record their second album with producer Randall Dunn (Sunn O, Wolves in the Throne Room, Björk). Castle Rat's second full length album, 'The Bestiary', was released in late 2025 and received mass critical acclaim launching the band into unprecedented realms of heavy music.
    Extras:
    'Deepest Depths' coloured vinyl
  • Track listing

    Disc 1

    Track name
    Artist
    1.Phoenix I
    Castle Rat
    2.Wolf I
    Castle Rat
    3.Wizard
    Castle Rat
    4.Siren
    Castle Rat
    5.Unicorn
    Castle Rat
    6.Path of Moss
    Castle Rat
    7.Crystal Cave
    Castle Rat
    8.Serpent
    Castle Rat
    9.Wolf II
    Castle Rat
    10.Dragon
    Castle Rat
    11.Summoning Spell
    Castle Rat
    12.Sun Song
    Castle Rat
    13.Phoenix II
    Castle Rat
  • Delivery and Returns

    Delivery charges

    UK Delivery:
    • Orders under £20 - £2.99 
    • Orders £20 and over - FREE*
    • Click & Collect - FREE**
    • Express Delivery - £5.99
    International Delivery:
    Costs are calculated at checkout based on parcel size and weight. Find out more here.

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    When will my order arrive?

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    • Standard UK delivery: Royal Mail Tracked 48® service, usually within 2-5 working days (including Saturdays).
    • Express UK delivery: Royal Mail Tracked 24® or DPD, usually within two working days (order by 2pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays).
    • International delivery: Tracked service, usually within 3-5 working days.
    • Pre-orders: dispatched with the aim to deliver on the release date.
    *Where an item is 'Back in stock soon', we usually expect stock within a week and will dispatch it once available.

    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.

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    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.


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    Items marked 'item fulfilled by Exertis on behalf of hmv' are dispatched directly by Exertis via their approved couriers. Your delivery details will be shared with Exertis and their courier to fulfil your order.


    Returns

    • We're happy to accept returns for unwanted items within 30 days of receipt, provided they’re in their original condition with all seals intact. Clothing and technology items without a seal may be opened for inspection (as you would in a shop) but must not be used and should be repackaged carefully.  
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