CASTLE RAT - The Bestiary review

 

CASTLE RAT - The Bestiary

King Volume Records

I first learned about this New York City act back in 2024. There was a lot of hype about em on the internet, mostly by hiptards. But I first checked out a live performance video they did at a hipster club in Brooklyn, New York City. Now despite the hype I thought they were decent. 

Their debut album Into the Realm from 2024 was pretty good. It was basically that whole NWOBHM meets Occult Doom style. I liked it especially The Rat Queen's (aka: Riley Pinkerton) vocal style. But that was then because on my first listen to this their second album I can say things have changed. After a few more listens you can understand the changes. 

Basically CASTLE RAT have become more atmospheric and bombastic in their overall sound. In other words it's like the difference between a club sound band and one that plays arenas. The NWOBHM style has been replaced with an almost Power metal influence. The Doom edge is still here and there. The production has been amped up especially on their drum sound which is thunderous. 

The collaboration of The Rat Queen's dynamic vocals as well as guitar riffs, The Count's (aka: Franco Vittore) cool lead guitar work, the thunderous bass by The Plague Doctor and newest member (Charley Ruddell) and drummer extrodinare The Druid (Josh Strmic) make this a powerful fuckin album. 

To me this feels like a concept album with instro interludes that break from the explosiveness conveyed musically. For me I do like the rawness of their first album. But after a few listens this one is an epic piece of work. How you surpass this one is another story and good luck to em. In the end it's a damm good release.

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LISTEN HERE:

https://castlerat.bandcamp.com/album/the-bestiary

TOWER - Let There Be Dark review

 

TOWER - Let There Be Dark

Cruz del Sur Music

I like when newer bands start out strong with that fury of the past and then recreate it all in their own image. On this TOWER's third full length they've forged something powerful and slightly different then last time I heard em. And just from the beginning here I'm gonna say this fuckin album rules.

I first got into this New York five piece act with their second album Shock to the System. I saw em on that tour and they were amazing. It was great female fronted Metal as far as contemporary acts go these days. They were very rock influenced but had plenty of NWOBHM influence within. So that album was one of my top favorites of 2021. It still is in fact I'd label it a classic album of the 2020's decade.

So with this new one yeah it's forged in a different and better way. Starting with the obvious, Sarabeth Linden's vocals are over the top. I mean she has that operatic high style plus some hard rockin vocals to boot. I thought she was captivating to hear last time around. But on this album I'd say Sarabeth Linden is one of the greatest vocalist in Metal right now.

The second thing which is great about this album is the amazing rocking guitar duo of James Danzo and Zak Penley. The riffs are in that speedy NWOBHM style and the solos just bite yer head off. Along with that the band has new drummer Keith Mikus who joined in 2022. This guy is pretty fuckin dynamic in his playing. Also there's original bassist Philippe Arman who also came back into the fold in 2022. So this is like a super fuckin line-up. 

Now when the opening cut "Under the Chapel" hits then you know, if you're a fan, that this is not exactly the TOWER you knew. Since the album title is Let There Be Dark then yeah TOWER has moved slightly to the darker side. Also this album has more of a metallic edge as well as still being melodic and aggressive sounding. 

This album is just fantastic as in one of the best albums of 2025.

https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/store/

LISTEN HERE:

https://towernyc.bandcamp.com/album/let-there-be-dark