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Although many rockers have borrowed from epic fantasy, few have truly lived the enchanted existence. Certainly, they might decorate their album sleeves with creatures, goblins, chained damsels and muscular warriors, but has an artist ever have to retrieve a misplaced mythical horn from a snowy field in the depths of winter? Has anyone devoted hours squinting in the rear of a traveling vehicle, repairing their own metal mesh?

Embracing the Mythos

Created in 2019, the Brooklyn-based Castle Rat have had to face such situations and more as they act out their heroic dreams. Starting with medieval-inspired, memorable tunes to breathtaking performances, costume design, videos and cover artwork, they’re not so much a rock act as a complete sensory journey.

“The band wasn’t intended to be a outfit with characters,” states singer, guitar player, sword-carrier and visionary Riley Pinkerton as the group’s vehicle drives from a packed show in Cologne to a second one in Aschaffenburg – they’re also doing five gigs in the UK this week. “Initially, we performed twice and were scheduled on a Halloween gig, where I decided spontaneously to dress up. It was all highly handmade, but we had an amazing time and the feeling in the room was electric. I thought, ‘What if we could have this much fun always?’”

Development of Castle Rat

From that point on, the band – which showcases Pinkerton as the “Rodent Monarch” joined by a plague doctor (bass player), proud bloodsucker (guitarist) and secretive shaman (percussionist) – haven’t looked back. The new record, the group’s sophomore release, brings to mind of classic metal icons collaborating to battle their way through a Frank Frazetta fantasy world – a grand composition that places them on the edge of far grander things.

This album was a first for Pinkerton in that she invited input to her bandmates. “This helped a much better record,” she says of the team effort. “It was challenging at first – There was a sense of a certain amount of satisfaction as a woman in music going it alone. There have been so many times where I’ve got off stage and an audience member will say, ‘Those guys compose cool melodies!’ and I respond, ‘Hey – I wrote all that.’”

Creative Output and Ideas

As the band’s stature has expanded, so has the scope of their stage presentation. “My motto is always that if it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing,” Pinkerton laughs. Initially, she was on course for a art school education before hesitating at the prospect of financial burden. “What’s enjoyable about Castle Rat is there’s numerous methods to demonstrate creativity,” she says. “Be it crafting disguises, attire creation, learning how to edit clips … these are all things I don’t know how to do, but it’s exciting to figure it out in the moment.”

As if creating the ensemble’s complex backstory (“Everyone’s urging me to record it because everything is stored,” Riley says, indicating her head) and sewing costumes wasn’t enough, the vocalist taught herself how to craft metal mesh – no mean feat, though she admittedly entrusted her completely original scale armor design to a New York-based specialist. “It seems like actual armour,” she grins.

Crowd Engagement and Difficulties

As for audiences? They took to the theatrical gore, foam swords and papier-mache rat skulls with equal enthusiasm as the band. “We performed a concert in the Motor City and it resembled a medieval event,” remembers Riley fondly. “The whole crowd was in robes, wool garments, metal wear.”

This isn’t to say, however, that life on the road as mythical wanderers has been smooth. “All our gear is always failing and ends up fixed temporarily,” Riley says. “Moreover I get countless concepts as to how I want things to look, but we tour in a bus with restricted capacity. It’s a fascinating test to make it feel like a mythic tale, then store it into minimal luggage.”

We’ve encountered additional practical issues that didn’t affect mythic characters. “We experienced an ‘disastrous’ moment when we played SonicBlast festival in Portugal and my luggage – which had my weapon in it – went missing,” says Riley. “It was a worst-case scenario, because there’s not an backup plan of the performance where I am without a sword.”

Future Ambitions

As a genuine leader, Riley is gung-ho about the what’s next. “I want to go to the top – let’s do stadiums,” she says. “The key element that’s deeply meaningful to me is keeping the DIY aesthetic, guaranteeing all elements is custom-made. That’s an element I want to remain faithful to, regardless of we grow into. Plus, I wish to appear on a unicorn each show. Remember how some artists ride bikes on stage? Exactly that, but on a mythical creature.”