Perpetually, whether some people are willing to admit it or not, we are always looking for that next fresh piece of talent that can truly catch us off-guard and impress us in a way that leaves us scrambling in desperation for another hit of that long sought after euphoria. Naturally, occurrences of such greatness are few and far between. It’s not a stretch at all to say that talent doesn’t often come around in such a form, but that’s a big part of what makes the arrival of a new name with real promise so damned tantalizing! Once one comes around, we need to latch on lest it slip away. While I initially missed the hype train last year when Castle Rat dropped their debut album, it’s with their swift follow-up that I am now latching onto Castle Rat to recognize it as the phenomenon that it is.

It’s obvious in practically every sense when a band comes around that really goes all-in from virtually every angle. From their onstage presence to their very imagery to the style that they perform, there’s so much that goes into a band carving out its own identity in the dense underground that can chew up and spit out any who aren’t prepared to go against stiff competition. Right away, it’s clear that Castle Rat has the look to really turn heads, yet it is their particularly captivating brand of medieval groove – balancing between doom metal and hard rock – that they manage to walk the walk as well as talk the talk with the entirety of “The Bestiary” only adding to the hype that has been surrounding the name for over a year now. Riffs abound and an artistic vision that hearkens to old school fantasy, Castle Rat knows precisely what it’s doing! There isn’t so much as a single step taken by this band that isn’t made with immense competency and know-how with it being in every track we’re given some form of intoxicating heaviness, spectacular melody, entrancing atmospheric world-building, or some combination of it all to make “The Bestiary” an ethereal and invigorating performance that has much more to it than an eye-catching exterior.

Dynamic and downright electrifying, “The Bestiary” is an undeniable victory with all the flair, style, and power that one could ask for from a rising name who is clearly competent of so much more. Castle Rat already caused quite a stir when they came around last year. It’s with everything brought forth all throughout “The Bestiary” that the name of Castle Rat deserves yet again to be on the lips on anyone who considers themselves a fan of what modern metal can still be.

“The Bestiary” releases on September 19th via Blues Funeral Recordings and King Volume Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “The Bestiary” on Bandcamp here.

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