Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Doom 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” (Joshua Strmic) on drums. Together they face the relentless wrath of their archnemesis: Death, Herself — “The Rat Reaperess.”
Along their journey Castle Rat has played in support of Monolord (SE), Acid King (CA), Green Lung (UK), and have appeared at Desertfest NYC (Melvins/Boris/Colour Haze) and RPM Fest (Prong/Bongzilla). Since the band’s pre-plague inception in October 2019, Castle Rat has released their debut album, “Into The Realm,” with King Volume Records in April 2024—it has garnered over one million Spotify streams and held the post as the #1 Best-Selling Hard Rock/All Rock Album on Bandcamp upon its release.
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 & sorcery; stoner & doom; battle-babes & beasts; Frazetta & Sabbath.
2025 began with an explosive start. Castle Rat launched a record-breaking Kickstarter to fund their second album, funding the project in just 37 minutes. The month-long fundraiser went on to be the most successful metal band project 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). Following two sold out tours in late 2024, the band will undergo a headlining US tour in March 2025, and a six week stint in Europe that will feature numerous festival appearances—including Desertfest, Hellfest, and Copenhell—and performances supporting Conan.
Castle Rat’s second full length album is set to come out in August 2025. The album launch will be followed by a two month long tour across the US and Europe.
