Castle Rat

About

Formed in Brooklyn, New York in 2019, Castle Rat is an American doom metal band known for their distinctive "medieval fantasy doom metal" aesthetic. The group blends traditional doom and heavy metal with theatrical live performances that draw inspiration from Black Sabbath and Frank Frazetta's fantasy artwork. Led by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Riley Pinkerton, who performs under the stage name "The Rat Queen," the band has developed a reputation for elaborate and immersive stage shows. Castle Rat gained wider recognition with the release of their debut album Into the Realm in 2024. Their live performances feature a notable nemesis character called "The Rat Reaperess," contributing to the band's theatrical approach to heavy metal music.