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Tech death thrashers Miscreance are premiering a new song “Scalp Ceremony”, which serves as a first taste of their newly announced sophomore record Reminiscence. The latter comes out August 28, 2026 on Season Of Mist. Additional details soon.
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Wormholedeath is proud to announce the signing of Italian groove death metal band New Sun and the release of their debut album, Hanged’s Fate, scheduled for 7 August 2026. Blending crushing groove-laden riffs, extreme metal intensity, and dark atmospheric elements, New Sun emerge with a debut record that explores the struggle between control, self-deception, and personal liberation. Formed in […]

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Underground heavy metal’s most captivating, broadsword-brandishing theatrical phenomenon is stepping off the battlefields of “The Realm” to map out the future of her sonic empire. Brooklyn-based medieval fantasy doom metal innovators Castle Rat have captured the global heavy music imagination through a seamless blend of Sabbathian riffs and cinematic, high-fantasy storytelling.

At the center of this burgeoning occult movement is founding frontwoman, vocalist, and guitarist Riley Pinkerton—known to legions of global disciples as the ruthless “Rat Queen.”

Stepping inside the studio for an exclusive, deep-dive interview block on this week’s installment of the Loaded Radio Podcast, Pinkerton pulls back the curtain on the band’s internal studio friction, the secret cinematic blueprints that forged their signature sound, and a shocking revelation regarding the heavily gothic, Type O Negative-inspired direction of their highly anticipated third studio album.

Listen To The Full Podcast Below:

THE LOADED RADIO PODCAST: SESSION INDEX

• The Guest: Riley Pinkerton (“The Rat Queen” — Castle Rat)
• The Core Dialogue: Solo Songwriting vs. Collaborative Band Democracy
• The Sonic Reveal: Unveiling the Gothic, Type O Negative Foundations of Album 3
• The Blueprint: Deconstructing the Cinematic Roots of Medieval Fantasy Doom
• The Platform: Stream the Full Unedited Interview Above via the Native Player

Relinquishing the Crown: Shifting from Solo Vision to Group Collaboration

When Castle Rat first invaded the underground scene with their 2024 debut Into the Realm, the project operated entirely as a singular manifestation of Pinkerton’s isolated imagination. She single-handedly wrote every riff, mapped out the foundational lore, and tracked the primary structures in total creative solitude.

However, when it came time to engineer their breakthrough sophomore masterpiece, The Bestiary—tracked alongside iconic heavy music producer Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Boris, Wolves in the Throne Room)—Pinkerton realized that the project’s rapid, viral scaling required a fundamental shift in infrastructure. Speaking directly to the Loaded Radio Podcast, Pinkerton confesses that opening up her tightly guarded world to a fully collaborative band democracy induced profound personal anxiety and real behind-the-scenes friction.

The Gothic Horizon: Unveiling the Type O Negative Influence on Album Three

While global audiences are currently spinning The Bestiary on repeat and snatching up tickets for the band’s massive upcoming “Summon the Beasts” 2026 North American headlining tour, Pinkerton is already aggressively tracking the next chapter of Castle Rat’s conceptual timeline.

In a massive exclusive for the Loaded Radio Podcast, the frontwoman revealed that the material currently being drafted for their highly anticipated third studio record marks a significant departure from the classic NWOBHM galloping tempos and raw, ’70s occult rock patterns of their past releases. Instead, Castle Rat is diving headfirst into the dark, melancholic, and down-tuned embrace of late-’90s Brooklyn gothic metal royalty.

“The material I am writing right now for the third album is very, very heavily Type O Negative influenced,” Pinkerton teases exclusively. “But it’s always gonna be through the lens or the filter of Castle Rat.”

Check This Out – EXCLUSIVE: Castle Rat’s Riley Pinkerton Obsessed With Type O Negative; Confirms Next Album Inspired By Gothic Doom Masters

THE REALM DOSSIER: CASTLE RAT’S SONIC FACTIONS

• The Voice & Riffs: Riley Pinkerton – “The Rat Queen”
• The Lead Shredder: Franco Vittore – “The Count”
• The Low-End Anchor: Charley Ruddell – “The Plague Doctor”
• The Metronome: Joshua Strmic – “The Druid”
• The On-Stage Nemesis: Madeline Wright – “The Rat Reaperess”

Deconstructing the Aesthetic: Where the Castle Rat Sound Comes From

Beyond the impending gothic shift, the interview traces the fascinating historical and multimedia blueprints that gave birth to Castle Rat’s highly stylized universe. Unlike traditional doom metal acts that draw inspiration strictly from vintage vinyl pressings, Pinkerton explains that the visual identity and sonic weight of the band were forged in equal parts by retro cinema, classic literature, and a desire to bring pure showmanship back to heavy alternative music.

FAQ: Castle Rat & Riley Pinkerton Podcast Highlights

Where can I listen to the full Castle Rat interview?

The complete, feature-length exclusive conversation with Castle Rat frontwoman Riley Pinkerton is available for public streaming immediately via the native audio player block located at the top of this article.

What is the musical style of Castle Rat’s next album?

While their current album The Bestiary is rooted in traditional medieval fantasy doom metal and NWOBHM leads, Riley Pinkerton revealed on the Loaded Radio Podcast that their upcoming third album is heavily influenced by the gothic metal stylings of Type O Negative.

Did Riley Pinkerton write all of Castle Rat’s music?

Pinkerton single-handedly wrote the entirety of the band’s 2024 debut Into the Realm. However, for their sophomore album The Bestiary, she transitioned the project into a fully democratic, collaborative writing process with the rest of the band members.

Also – Castle Rat Shatters Industry Rumors and Announces Massive 2026 North American Tour

The Architectural Logic of Castle Rat’s Branding

From a contemporary music journalism perspective, Castle Rat’s operational strategy represents a masterclass in modern niche authority and brand equity. In an oversaturated digital market where thousands of standard independent rock bands deploy identical, performance-video content models that fail to register with casual app-scrollers, Pinkerton has successfully weaponized high-concept theatrical narrative as a structural growth vehicle.

By grounding the band’s public footprint in meticulous, practical costuming, choreographed stage combat, and rich, fantasy-centric lore, Castle Rat commands immediate consumer intent across search engine registries.

Furthermore, by choosing top-tier independent outlets like the Loaded Radio Podcast to candidly discuss her creative anxieties and specific stylistic shifts—such as pivoting toward the high-demand sonic category of Type O Negative gothic rock—Pinkerton enhances her score as a highly articulate, forward-thinking musical director, ensuring that Castle Rat remains insulated from standard “gimmick” criticisms and firmly positioned as a permanent fixture across global metal hierarchies.

Now that the Rat Queen has officially mapped out the democratic evolution of The Bestiary and laid down the blueprint for a massive, gothic, Type O Negative-inspired future, the floor belongs to the Loaded Radio global assembly. Are you ready to follow Castle Rat into this darker, atmospheric territory, or do you prefer the classic, broadsword-wielding doom of their early era? Fire off your reactions, tour expectations, and studio theories in the comments section below!

TL;DR

• Step Into The Realm: Castle Rat founding visionary and frontwoman Riley Pinkerton (The Rat Queen) has officially checked in for an exclusive, feature-length session on the Loaded Radio Podcast.
• Ceding the Throne: Pinkerton opens up about the massive creative shift behind their sophomore triumph, The Bestiary, detailing her difficult transition from a completely isolated solo songwriter to leading a fully democratic group collaboration.
• The Gothic Horizon: In a massive exclusive reveal, Pinkerton teases that Castle Rat’s currently in-development third studio album is moving in a distinct, heavy Type O Negative gothic metal direction.
• The Origin Blueprint: The “Rat Queen” uncovers the deep-tier cinematic and musical roots that forged Castle Rat’s signature “Medieval Fantasy Doom Metal” sound and highly stylized stage universe.

Never miss an exclusive rock star podcast broadcast, a live tracking breakdown, or breaking international festival news. Download the free Loaded Radio App for [iOS App Store] and [Google Play Store] today to command our live 24/7 high-decibel digital stream and catch our feature-length Weekly Podcast on demand.

The post Castle Rat Frontwoman Riley Pinkerton Goes Deep on the Beauty of Gothic Doom in Exclusive Edition of The Loaded Radio Podcast appeared first on Loaded Radio.

Rock was a dominant cultural force, but pop still ruled the charts. Continue reading…

Welcome To Rockville have shared the dates of their 2027 festival, returning to Florida for its 16th year.

Danny Wimmer Presents has announced that Florida’s largest rock, metal & punk festival will return to Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida from May 6-9, 2027.

Hotel packages are available now from here, with all other tickets set to go on sale from Monday, June 22 at 10:00 AM ET.

You can also head to the festival’s website to sign up for an exclusive presale beginning Friday, June 19 at 10:00 AM ET.

In 2026, Welcome To Rockville celebrated its 15th anniversary with a mammoth event, featuring160 bands playing across five stages. Boasting performances from Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance, Guns N’ Roses, Bring Me The Horizon, TURNSTILE, The Offspring, A Day To Remember, Parkway Drive and many more, if 2027 is anything like this year, we’re in for a huge treat.

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The post Welcome To Rockville Announces Dates For 2027 appeared first on Rock Sound.

Approach of the long awaited second album release of epic melodeath ambassador Ulthima is being announced with an opening single “White Raven”. From Monterrey Mexico, to Helsinki Finland, the band came to be known in the Finnish metal scene with their Debut album “Symphony of the Night” in 2021, and is set to release their second full album in the […]

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Moon Destroys have always sounded like a band built for big skies and strange gravity. Formed by Juan Montoya—founding member of Torche—and Evan Diprima of Gold Pyramid and Royal Thunder, the band first emerged with 2020 EP Maiden Voyage, then came fully into focus with debut full-length She Walks by Moonlight. That record moved through post-rock, riff-doom and shoegazy psychedelia like a cinematic transmission from somewhere between My Bloody Valentine, The Cult, Ride and the heavier end of the astral plane.

Now Moon Destroys are entering a new phase. With Zach Amster of Abrams joining on guitar and vocals, the band are preparing to release new album OMNI on September 4 via Blues Funeral Recordings. First single “Flowers” introduces that expanded lineup with a sound that feels both molten and weightless: heavy rock drift, psychedelic shimmer, Montoya’s unmistakable guitar language and a vocal performance that pulls the whole thing toward something sad, hopeful and strangely romantic.

“OMNI is a universe built upon constantly shifting sands, written by three souls who still believe heavy rock can save this damned world,” Montoya tells Decibel. “The first taste, ‘Flowers,’ introduces Zach on vocals, and it’s soothing lava to the ears. We are ecstatic to reveal the new album to all of you, come celebrate with us when we hit the road starting this fall!”

For Amster, “Flowers” was one of those rare songs that seemed to arrive already alive.

“What would become ‘Flowers’ was one of the first demos given to me from Evan and Juan,” he says. “I spun the instrumental track dozens of times and I immediately knew it would be one of the singles. The groove, the feel, and the signature Juan Montoya lead. It was all there for me to feel truly inspired. The words just started to pour out of me, effortlessly. Which is mostly never the case. But for some reason the stars aligned on this entire record and it was just easy and fun. Looking back at the lyrics, it’s a song about growth. It’s sad, hopeful, and romantic. It’s either a breakup or a breakthrough. Let love win.”

Watch the video for “Flowers” below. OMNI is out September 4 on Blues Funeral Recordings, and Moon Destroys will hit the road with The Well beginning August 19.

Moon Destroys Tour Dates with The Well

• Aug 19, 2026 – Dan Electros in Houston TX
• Aug 20, 2026 – Siberia in New Orleans LA
• Aug 21, 2026 – The EARL in Atlanta GA
• Aug 22, 2026 – The Wormhole in Savannah GA
• Aug 23, 2026 – The Pour House in Raleigh NC
• Aug 25, 2026 – MilkBoy in Philadelphia PA
• Aug 26, 2026 – The Wood Shop in Brooklyn NY
• Aug 27, 2026 – Space Ballroom in Hamden CT
• Aug 28, 2026 – Taffeta Music Hall in Lowell MA
• Aug 29, 2026 – Bug Jar in Rochester NY
• Sept 1, 2026 – Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland OH
• Sept 2, 2026 – Small’s in Hamtramck MI
• Sept 3, 2026 – Black Circle in Indianapolis IN
• Sept 4, 2026 – The 58 @ Eastside Bowl in Nashville TN (OMNI album release show)
• Sept 5, 2026 – Fairborn Phoenix in Fairborn OH
• Sept 6, 2026 – Sleeping Village in Chicago IL
• Sept 7, 2026 – X-Ray Arcade in Cudahy WI
• Sept 8, 2026 – Sk8bar in Kansas City MO
• Sept 10, 2026 – Hi-Dive in Denver CO (headline show)

The post Video Premiere: Moon Destroys – ‘Flowers’ appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Elle Tea Announces New Album Travelling | A Journey Through Fantasy, Time, and Classic Hard Rock
Florence, Italy’s Elle Tea, the solo project of multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, and illustrator Leonardo Trevisan, is set to captivate fans of classic hard rock and heavy metal with the release of the new album Travelling .
Drawing inspiration from the golden era of late 1970s and early 1980s hard rock, progressive rock, and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Travelling delivers eight immersive tracks that blend fantasy storytelling, introspective lyricism, and melodic songwriting with a distinctly vintage sound.
Fans of Praying Mantis, Ashbury, Blue Öyster Cult, Wytch Hazel, and early Manilla Road will find plenty to appreciate in Elle Tea’s latest offering.
Watch and listen here:

Since launching the project in 2023, Leonardo Trevisan has independently crafted a unique musical and visual world through releases including Fate Is At My Side (2023), The Past From Which I Ran (2024), and the EP Into The Fall (2025). Rooted in a deep admiration for classic fantasy literature and the iconic artwork of Roger Dean, Rodney Matthews, and Michael Whelan, Elle Tea embraces the aesthetic spirit that helped define both progressive rock and the NWOBHM movement.
The album’s central themes explore the passage of time, personal transformation, and journeys into other realms where identity dissolves into the endless cycles of life and the universe. While not a strict concept album, songs such as the title track “Travelling,” “Into The Fall,” and “Vanish” are connected by an atmosphere of melancholy, reflection, and surrender to forces beyond one’s control.
Further enhancing the experience, each of the album’s eight tracks is accompanied by an original hand-crafted illustration created by Trevisan using traditional mixed media techniques, primarily watercolor and pencil. These visual pieces provide additional narrative depth and context, expanding the album’s immersive fantasy world.
Musically, Travelling intentionally distances itself from modern hard rock and metal production trends. Instead, it embraces the warmth, dynamics, and emotional depth of classic recordings, balancing clean, atmospheric passages with powerful heavy rock moments while maintaining a strong melodic foundation throughout.
Track Highlights

Eight songs blending classic hard rock, progressive rock, and NWOBHM influences
Fantasy-inspired storytelling and introspective lyrical themes
Original hand-painted artwork accompanying every track
Vintage-inspired production rooted in late 70s and early 80s aesthetics
Created entirely by Leonardo Trevisan
Album Credits

Instruments and Vocals: Leonardo Trevisan
Production and Illustrations: Leonardo Trevisan
For Fans Of

Praying Mantis • Ashbury • Blue Öyster Cult • Wytch Hazel • Early Manilla Road

Booking & Contact

Leonardo Trevisan
Email: elletea.official@gmail.com
About Elle Tea

Elle Tea is the ongoing artistic vision of Florentine musician and illustrator Leonardo Trevisan. Combining classic hard rock and heavy metal influences with progressive, folk, and fantasy-inspired elements, the project continues to build a distinctive catalog of music that celebrates the timeless spirit of underground heavy music while forging its own path through imaginative storytelling and handcrafted artistry.
Connect: 
https://www.instagram.com/elle.t.ill
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091776204843
https://elletea.bandcamp.com/music
https://open.spotify.com/intl-it/artist/2nfoVH8rvBWdYk4mJ33uNG

(written by Islander) Today marks the third time we’ve premiered music from an album by the Cuban black metal band Skjult, but the first time in more than six years — because that’s how much time has passed since the band’s last album, The Voyage. Skjult’s new album, A Perfect Devouring Light, will be co-released […]

The post AN NCS PREMIERE: SKJULT — “THE LIGHT WITHIN THE DARKNESS” appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

German thrashers Space Chaser are pleased to announce that they will be releasing their next full-length instalment, Razorblade Bay, on September 11th 2026 via Testimony Records. A couple of new tunes are available for listening below.
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