Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Heavy Metal band hailing from NYC, led by “The Rat Queen,” Riley Pinkerton, on rhythm guitar and lead vocals. On her mission to expand and defend “The Realm” from those who seek to destroy it, The Rat Queen is joined by “The Count” (Franco Vittore), on lead guitar and backing vocals; “The Plague Doctor” (Charley Ruddell), on bass; and “The All-Seeing Druid” (Josh Strmic) on drums. Together they face the relentless wrath of their archnemesis: Death, Herself – “The Rat Reaperess.”
The band has cultivated a fiercely loyal following by curating a riveting, interactive, lore-laden live performance, complete with a choreographed battle scene, recruiting fans who crave swords & sorcery; stoner & doom; battle-babes & beasts; Frazette & Sabbath.
Castle Rat’s second full-length album, The Beastiary, was released in late 2025 and received mass critical acclaim, launching the band into unprecedented realms of heavy music.
Tricky’s recently announced new album, Different When It’s Silent, his 15th studio album and first full-length release under his own name in six years, is out July 17th via False Idols.
The first single, “Out Of Place”, featuring longtime collaborator Marta Zlakowska, pairs Marta’s restrained vocal with Tricky’s urgent, almost punk-like delivery. The contrast between the two creates a dynamic finale that captures the album’s stripped-back intensity, and is a powerful closing moment for the record. Originally written for Marta’s own album, Tricky ultimately reclaimed “Out Of Place” for Different When It’s Silent.
Across fourteen tracks, Tricky blends skeletal blues, brooding electronics, distorted guitars and stark hip-hop rhythms into a sound that feels both stripped-back and expansive. The album moves fluidly across styles while maintaining the restless experimentation that has defined his work for more than three decades.
The songs of Hovvdy’s Big World find the duo trading in overt emotional directness for subject matter that leans enigmatic, contemplating their place in the world through a mosaic of songs that sees the band at their most secure and self-aware.
Since 2024’s Hovvdy, the band’s most expansive album to date, which earned them the coveted Best New Album distinction from Pitchfork, both Martin and Taylor have become published songwriters in their new home of Nashville – a career development that heavily informed their approach to making Big World.
“With this one,” says Martin, “we wanted to take on the challenge of making something more concise and to the point, and give the fans something that feels like a shorter but more exciting ride.”
Disciples of planet Earth’s rock deities, space-time voyagers Klek and Khn de Poitrine gaze in wonder at hot dogs, pyramids and rock music in all its glorious excess. Asymmetrical and dissonant, Angine de Poitrine’s music makes hearts race and bodies move with ecstatic abandon.
Through tight, pulsing drum grooves and intricate tangels of double-neck microtonal guitar, the band summons swirling vortices of hypnotic sound and vision. Since the release of Vol. 1 in 2024, the duo is in the eye of an ever-growing storm of enthusiasm from audiences, critics and the music industry’s main actor. Andine de Poitrine are simply thrilled to play rock ‘n’ roll.
About their latest release: Vol. 2: Repetition. Isn’t that the very essence of loop-based music? Hell no! A brisk, high-voltage album, Vol. 2 stretches the boundaries of the genre with even bolder, more dynamic structures. Its humor lies in the details, waiting to be decoded! Once again, three essential forces fuel the inspiration of the duo: acid techno, disco, and rock.
Get ready for the City of Smyrna’s biggest event of the year! We are excited to announce that award-winning artist Darius Rucker will headline the 2026 City of Smyrna Birthday Celebration on Saturday, October 3rd, with a spectacular fireworks finale to cap off the evening.
Best of all, both events are free to attend.
Culture & Spirit Festival 11:00 a.m.
Enjoy family-friendly activities, culture, community, and live performances throughout downtown Smyrna all day long. Additional performers, activities, and the complete entertainment schedule will be announced soon.
Village Green Stage | Village Green Park
4:30 p.m. – Tonic
City of Smyrna Birthday Celebration
Atlanta Road Main Stage
7:00 p.m. – Larkin Poe
8:30 p.m. – Darius Rucker
Birthday Celebration Table Reservations
Tables for six will go on sale starting Monday, August 24, at 10 a.m. for residents. Non-residents starting on August 31 (if any tables remain).
https://www.rec.us/organizations/city-of-smyrna?activityIDs=6a444eb6-2355-45ff-845d-30f0e072c60b
