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The Latest Breaking News from Castle Rat

“I was like, ‘I think it’d be cool if I die and spit up blood but I need to play another show the next night.’” How Black Sabbath and ‘major death anxiety’ inspired metal’s new fantasy sensation, Castle Rat

How a fantasy doom band became a viral sensation everyone is talking about

Metal Hammer

“I was like, ‘I think it’d be cool if I die and spit up blood and yada yada yada’”: You’ve probably seen their larger-than-life sword’n’sorcery concerts on social media, but Castle Rat’s fantasy shows are rooted in very real death anxieties

The band’s performances are styled after fantasy imagery – but they’re also based on singer/guitarist Riley Pinkerton’s personal fears

Metal Hammer

"I go onstage, I battle death, I die and I come back to life." From sword-waving rat queens to alpha bro-baiting metal singers, the new issue of Metal Hammer has four exclusive covers: Castle Rat, Sleep Theory, President and Paleface Swiss

The New Heavy 2026 has arrived, and it's starring four of the most exciting young bands in metal today

Metal Hammer

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“If it sounds heavy on a classical guitar, then it will sound even heavier once I’m plugged in”: Foam swords, steel riffs – and medieval raga? Meet the queen of fantasy doom metal guitar, Castle Rat’s Riley Pinkerton

Who can stop the irresistible rise of underground heavy metal’s most theatrical troupe? Pinkerton, the self-styled Rat Queen is taking no prisoners

Guitar World

The 10 best doom and stoner metal albums of 2025

2025 might have been the year we said goodbye to Black Sabbath, but these 10 albums prove their influence still looms large

Metal Hammer

"I take a lot of pride in starting this band and creating this universe." Black Sabbath, homemade chainmail and Frank Frazetta - getting to know Castle Rat, the fantasy metal sensations everyone's talking about

Their videos are viral, their lore is deep and their songs are bangers. We chat to Riley Pinkerton, the woman behind the brilliant Castle Rat

Metal Hammer

"One of the best live bands I've ever seen." "Coldplay could never!" A video of New York fantasy metallers Castle Rat staging a live battle on stage has gone viral. Is this heavy metal's next breakout band?

It's Castle Rat's domain, we're just battling in it

Metal Hammer

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‘I want to ride out on a unicorn every night’: swords’n’sorcery heavy metal band Castle Rat

Wielding fantasy weapons and splashing fake blood, the New Yorkers have even learned how to make chainmail outfits – and they’re already aiming to conquer stadiums

The Guardian - UK

"Everything about this band rules hard." Fantasy doom metal heroes Castle Rat have made one of 2025's most epic metal albums in The Bestiary

Looking like they've stepped out of the world of Conan The Barbarian, Castle Rat are one of metal's most vibrant new bands

Metal Hammer

Classic Rock's Tracks Of The Week: September 8, 2025

Eight songs you need to hear right now, from Alter Bridge, The Struts, Castle Rat and more

Louder

Classic Rock's Tracks Of The Week: July 21, 2025

Eight songs you need to hear right now, from Die Spitz, Castle Rat, Bobbie Dazzle and five other holy divers and divas

Louder

The 12 best new metal songs you need to hear right now

Orbit Culture, Helloween and Burning Witches lead a hefty line-up for this week's best new metal songs

Metal Hammer

"Intense. Beautiful. Devastating." Seven bands who defined Desertfest London 2025

Desertfest 2025 took over five venues in Camden, north London at the weekend, and crushed our tiny brains into jellied chunks

Metal Hammer

Earth, Pallbearer, Elephant Tree, Hippie Death Cult, Lust Ritual among new additions to Desertfest London weekender

Desertfest 2025 just got darker, doomier, heavier and more exciting with the addition of 20 artists to the line-up

Metal Hammer

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