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Although numerous artists have taken inspiration from epic fantasy, few have fully embraced the mythical existence. Certainly, they could adorn their album sleeves with ghouls, imps, manacled maidens and brawny barbarians, but has an artist ever have to find a missing mythical horn from a wintry landscape in the depths of winter? Did anyone spent time squinting in the rear of a traveling vehicle, mending their own chainmail?

Living the Fantasy

Formed in 2019, New York’s Castle Rat have encountered such situations and more as they live out their grand tales. Starting with heraldic, memorable anthems to eye-popping performances, outfit creation, visuals and record designs, they’re not just a metal band as a complete sensory journey.

“It wasn’t planned to be a costumed concept band,” states singer, guitar player, sword-wielder and artistic leader Riley Pinkerton as the group’s vehicle travels from a sold-out gig in Cologne to another in Aschaffenburg – they are playing several shows in the UK currently. “After a couple of performances and were scheduled on a Halloween gig, where I chose at the final moment to put on an outfit. It was all super-DIY, but we had a blast and the feeling in the room was incredible. It occurred to me, ‘Imagine if we could have this much fun always?’”

Development of Castle Rat

After that, the band – which showcases Pinkerton as the “Queen Rat” joined by a pestilence physician (bass player), aristocratic undead (lead guitarist) and enigmatic nature priest (percussionist) – continued forward. The new record, the follow-up record, conjures visions of classic metal icons collaborating to fight their path through a mythical painted realm – a heroic opus that positions them on the edge of bigger achievements.

This album was a first for Pinkerton in that she invited input to her bandmates. “This helped a lot stronger project,” she says of the collaborative process. “I had difficulty at first – I’d always felt a particular degree of accomplishment as a female in music working independently. There’ve been so many times where I finished performing and a person will say, ‘Those guys create awesome guitar parts!’ and I’m like, ‘Hey – I created all that.’”

Creative Output and Ideas

As their fame has expanded, so has the breadth of their stage presentation. “My philosophy is always that if it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing,” Pinkerton smiles. Initially, she was on path for a art school education before pulling back at the prospect of financial burden. “The fun thing about Castle Rat is there’s so many different ways to apply artistic expression,” she says. “Be it making masks, attire creation, figuring out video editing song visuals … these are all things I am unfamiliar with, but it’s fun to discover as we go.”

Even though building the group’s detailed mythology (“The team is pushing me to document it because it’s all in here,” Riley says, indicating her head) and making clothing didn’t suffice, the singer taught herself how to make chainmail – a difficult task, though she confessedly left her completely original scale armor design to a expert from NYC. “It seems like actual armour,” she smiles proudly.

Crowd Engagement and Difficulties

What about the crowd? They took to the stage blood, foam swords and papier-mache rat skulls with as much gusto as the band. “We played a show in the Motor City and it looked like a historical festival,” reminisces Riley with affection. “The whole crowd was in robes, wool garments, chainmail.”

That’s not to imply, however, that touring existence as fantasy adventurers has been plain sailing. “Each item is always failing and becomes repaired with tape,” Riley says. “Additionally I get numerous thoughts as to how I desire the presentation, but we’re traveling in a vehicle with limited room. It’s an interesting challenge to give the sense like a grand epic, then pack it down into minimal luggage.”

We’ve encountered additional practical issues that wouldn’t have troubled fictional warriors. “There was an ‘disastrous’ moment when we performed at a music event in Portugal and my luggage – which had my sword in it – got lost,” says Riley. “That was a terrible situation, because there’s not an backup plan of the concert where I don’t have a blade.”

Future Ambitions

In the spirit of a hero, Riley is gung-ho about the future. “I want to go as far as possible – I dream of huge arenas,” she says. “The main aspect that’s deeply meaningful to me is maintaining the handmade style, making sure each detail is handmade. This is a feature I want to remain faithful to, whatever we grow into. Additionally, I desire to appear on a magical horse each show. You know how famous musicians use vehicles in concerts? The same idea, but using a unicorn.”