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Although plenty of artists have taken inspiration from epic fantasy, few have genuinely embodied the fantasy lifestyle. Admittedly, they might adorn their record jackets with monsters, imps, manacled maidens and brawny barbarians, but has any musician ever have to find a lost mythical horn from a wintry landscape in the heart of winter? Did anyone taken the time peering in the interior of a traveling vehicle, repairing their own metal mesh?

Embracing the Mythos

Created in 2019, the Brooklyn-based Castle Rat have dealt with such situations and additional ones as they embody their heroic dreams. From heraldic, memorable anthems to stunning concerts, costume design, music videos and cover artwork, they’re not just a metal band as a total artistic immersion.

“Castle Rat wasn’t meant to be a costumed concept band,” states singer, guitar player, sword-carrier and creative overlord Riley Pinkerton as the band’s tour van speeds from a sold-out gig in Cologne to another in another town – they’re also doing several shows in the UK now. “We played two shows and got booked on a October show, where I chose at the final moment to wear a costume. The entire setup was super-DIY, but we had an amazing time and the energy was incredible. It occurred to me, ‘Imagine if we could have so much excitement always?’”

Development of Castle Rat

After that, the ensemble – which showcases Pinkerton as the “Queen Rat” joined by a pestilence physician (bass player), haughty vampire (six-string player) and secretive shaman (percussionist) – never turned back. The Bestiary, the band’s second album, evokes images of classic metal icons joining forces to battle their way through a heroic art landscape – a grand composition that places them on the edge of greater success.

This album was a new experience for Pinkerton in that she invited input to her bandmates. “This helped a lot stronger project,” she says of the team effort. “It was challenging at first – I often experienced a certain amount of pride as a woman in music doing everything solo. There’ve been multiple instances where after a show and a person will say, ‘The other members create awesome guitar parts!’ and I think, ‘Hey – I composed all that.’”

Artistic Expression and Vision

As the band’s stature has grown, so has the breadth of their production design. “My philosophy is always that if an effort matters, it’s worth overdoing,” Pinkerton smiles. Initially, she was on track for a university studies in art before balking at the idea of so much debt. “The fun thing about Castle Rat is there’s so many different ways to express artistry,” she says. “Be it making masks, attire creation, figuring out video editing music videos … it’s all stuff I am unfamiliar with, but it’s enjoyable to learn on the fly.”

As if developing the ensemble’s complex backstory (“Everyone’s urging me to document it because everything is stored,” Riley says, indicating her head) and making clothing didn’t suffice, the vocalist learned on her own how to make chainmail – no mean feat, though she confessedly entrusted her completely original scalemail look to a New York-based specialist. “It seems like actual armour,” she beams.

Fan Response and Obstacles

What about the crowd? They took to the stage blood, foam swords and papier-mache rat skulls with as much gusto as the musicians. “We had a gig in Detroit and it resembled a medieval event,” reminisces Riley fondly. “All attendees was in capes, wool garments, armor.”

This isn’t to say, though, that traveling lifestyle as fantasy adventurers has been easy. “Everything is always failing and ends up duct-taped together,” Riley says. “Plus I get countless concepts as to how I want things to look, but we tour in a bus with only so much space. It’s a unique problem to give the sense like a larger-than-life story, then pack it down into a small space.”

There have been further organizational challenges that wouldn’t have troubled mythic characters. “We did have an ‘oh shit’ moment when we performed at a Portuguese festival in Portugal and my baggage – which had my sword in it – went missing,” says Riley. “It was a nightmare, because there is no an alternative version of the show where I don’t have a weapon.”

Future Ambitions

Like a true warrior queen, Riley is gung-ho about the days to come. “My goal is all the way – we should play stadiums,” she says. “The key element that’s deeply meaningful to me is maintaining the DIY aesthetic, ensuring each detail is handmade. That’s an element I want to stay authentic to, whatever we grow into. Plus, I wish to appear on a magical horse at all performances. Remember how legends ride bikes on stage? The same idea, but with a unicorn.”