New York-based band Castle Rat has released their second album, 'The Bestiary'. This new offering follows their 2024 debut, 'Into the Realm'. The band is known for its fantasy-inspired doom rock style, which features a fuzzy sound and a theatrical approach.
The release of 'The Bestiary' comes quickly after their initial album. This rapid turnaround has generated interest, with fans anticipating the band's continued development. The album aims to build on the established sound of their debut, offering a more intense and energetic experience.
Key Takeaways
- Castle Rat released their second album, 'The Bestiary'.
- The album features a harder-hitting sound compared to their debut.
- It combines 70s psychedelic influences with heavy metal elements.
- Production issues, including loud mastering, affect the album's quality.
- The album's longer runtime and varied tracks lead to pacing concerns.
Castle Rat's Evolving Sound and Style
Castle Rat, fronted by Riley Pinkerton, known as The Rat Queen, maintains its signature retro sound in 'The Bestiary'. However, the new album presents a louder and more dynamic version of their style. The band's commitment to their chosen genre is evident, regardless of differing opinions on their theatrical elements.
The band draws inspiration from the 1970s psychedelic rock era and classic acts like Black Sabbath. They also share stylistic similarities with contemporary groups such as Purson and Green Lung. 'The Bestiary' elevates the band's sound by incorporating more New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) influences and fantasy-driven energy.
Album Details
- Album Title: The Bestiary
- Artist: Castle Rat
- Release Date: September 19th, 2025
- Label: Blues Funeral Recordings
- Runtime: Nearly 50 minutes
Track Highlights and Musical Direction
The album begins with "Phoenix I," a track that unfolds slowly and dramatically, setting a serious tone. This opening prepares listeners for the band's powerful delivery. 'The Bestiary' showcases an increased pace and fiery guitar work. These elements blend with catchy vocal hooks and smooth doom grooves.
Riley Pinkerton's vocals are a central feature of the band's sound. Her confident and commanding delivery, characterized by silky hooks, remains a key strength. Early tracks like "Wolf I" and "Wizard" quickly establish the album's bluesy doom swagger and memorable melodies. "Siren" continues this trend with its tense rhythms and captivating vocals.
"Castle Rat hit the ground running with their warm and cozy retro sound intact, albeit featuring a livelier, louder and more propulsive reiteration of the sound established on the debut."
The songwriting in 'The Bestiary' is straightforward and infectious. The band's ability to craft engaging songs shines through, especially in its more robust moments. The addition of extra crunch and intensity creates a more high-octane listening experience. Guitarist Franco Vittore, also known as The Count, delivers powerful solos and heavy riffs on tracks like "Serpent" and "Dragon." He also contributes an ominous feel to "Unicorn."
Challenges and Production Concerns
While 'The Bestiary' demonstrates Castle Rat's willingness to explore new musical territory, the album has some notable drawbacks. The band's experimental softer pieces, which aim to create mysterious atmospheres and vary the pace, are generally less engaging than the album's rock-focused tracks.
Background Information
Castle Rat gained initial attention with their 2024 debut album, 'Into the Realm'. This album established their niche in the fantasy-inspired doom rock scene. Their quick follow-up with 'The Bestiary' indicates a desire to capitalize on their growing momentum and further develop their sound.
A significant issue for 'The Bestiary' is its production quality. The mastering is described as "bricked" and the overall production is loud. This detracts from the music's intended warmth and charm. Specific problems include a lack of punch in the drums and a squashed, muddled mix. Dynamic shifts, such as acoustic sections or the loud climaxes in "Unicorn" and "Sun Song," lose their impact due to these production choices.
Another change from the debut is the album's extended runtime, which is nearly 50 minutes. The previous album was praised for its efficiency. The longer duration of 'The Bestiary' leads to issues with momentum and pacing. The album is front-loaded with strong tracks, but the latter half experiences some bloat.
Album Structure and Pacing
The album includes an intro, an outro, a mid-album instrumental piece titled "Path of Moss," and three acoustic-driven folk songs. While these elements have their individual merits, their combined presence contributes to pacing problems and overall padding. This makes the album feel less cohesive in its entirety.
According to listeners, 'Into the Realm' was a strong debut that showcased Castle Rat as a promising new act in retro and fantasy-themed doom metal. 'The Bestiary' is an ambitious follow-up that is solid but not without its flaws. The production issues, along with pacing concerns and an uneven latter half, prevent the album from reaching its full potential.
Despite these challenges, 'The Bestiary' reaffirms Castle Rat's talent and commitment to old-school values. The band's vision to diversify their musical formula is evident, even if not every experiment fully succeeds. The album still offers compelling tracks and an enjoyable experience. Future releases could benefit from a more consistent and tighter approach to songwriting and production.
