Castle Rat: An Immersive Metal Experience
As metal bands often draw inspiration from fantasy worlds, few truly live out their epic fantasies like Brooklyn's Castle Rat. Formed in 2019, the band has embarked on an immersive experience that combines music, visual art, and theatrical performances. From sword-wielding musicians to elaborate costumes and set designs, every aspect of the show is meticulously crafted to transport audiences into a world of fantasy.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Riley Pinkerton explains that the band's DIY ethos drove their decision to create an immersive experience from the outset. "We played two shows and got booked on a Halloween gig, where I made a last-minute decision to dress up," she recalls. "It was all super-DIY, but we had so much fun and the feeling in the room was electric. I thought, 'What if we could have this much fun every time?'"
This sentiment is reflected in the band's second album, The Bestiary, which conjures images of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Manowar uniting to battle their way through a Frank Frazetta fantasy world. A heroic opus that solidifies Castle Rat's position on the cusp of greatness.
The Bestiary marked a significant departure for Pinkerton, who opened up her creative process to her bandmates, yielding stronger results than ever before. "It made it a lot stronger," she admits. "I struggled at first – I'd always felt a certain amount of pride being a woman in music going it alone. There've been so many times where I've got off stage and some guy will say, 'Those guys write great riffs!' and I'm like, 'Hey – <em>I </em>wrote all that.'"
This newfound collaboration has also led to the development of elaborate production designs, including handmade masks, costumes, and set pieces. "My motto is always that if it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing," Pinkerton laughs. She's also taken a keen interest in learning new skills, including editing music videos and crafting her own chainmail armor.
While Castle Rat has certainly not been immune to logistical challenges on the road, they've consistently proven their dedication to their artistic vision. "Everything is constantly breaking and ends up duct-taped together," Pinkerton acknowledges. However, this resilience only adds to the band's allure as a live experience.
As the band looks to expand its reach, including stadium tours, Pinkerton remains committed to preserving the DIY aesthetic that has made Castle Rat so beloved. "I want to keep the handmade element true, no matter what we scale to," she says. This vision is set to take center stage as the band embarks on an increasingly epic journey, one where fantasy and reality blend seamlessly.
For Pinkerton, this dream extends far beyond the realm of metal music. She yearns to ride out under a unicorn's starry sky every night – a testament to her enduring passion for fantasy and her refusal to be bound by conventional expectations. As Castle Rat continues its meteoric rise, fans can only wonder what enchanting tales will unfold from this talented quartet of sword-wielding sorcerers.
As metal bands often draw inspiration from fantasy worlds, few truly live out their epic fantasies like Brooklyn's Castle Rat. Formed in 2019, the band has embarked on an immersive experience that combines music, visual art, and theatrical performances. From sword-wielding musicians to elaborate costumes and set designs, every aspect of the show is meticulously crafted to transport audiences into a world of fantasy.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Riley Pinkerton explains that the band's DIY ethos drove their decision to create an immersive experience from the outset. "We played two shows and got booked on a Halloween gig, where I made a last-minute decision to dress up," she recalls. "It was all super-DIY, but we had so much fun and the feeling in the room was electric. I thought, 'What if we could have this much fun every time?'"
This sentiment is reflected in the band's second album, The Bestiary, which conjures images of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Manowar uniting to battle their way through a Frank Frazetta fantasy world. A heroic opus that solidifies Castle Rat's position on the cusp of greatness.
The Bestiary marked a significant departure for Pinkerton, who opened up her creative process to her bandmates, yielding stronger results than ever before. "It made it a lot stronger," she admits. "I struggled at first – I'd always felt a certain amount of pride being a woman in music going it alone. There've been so many times where I've got off stage and some guy will say, 'Those guys write great riffs!' and I'm like, 'Hey – <em>I </em>wrote all that.'"
This newfound collaboration has also led to the development of elaborate production designs, including handmade masks, costumes, and set pieces. "My motto is always that if it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing," Pinkerton laughs. She's also taken a keen interest in learning new skills, including editing music videos and crafting her own chainmail armor.
While Castle Rat has certainly not been immune to logistical challenges on the road, they've consistently proven their dedication to their artistic vision. "Everything is constantly breaking and ends up duct-taped together," Pinkerton acknowledges. However, this resilience only adds to the band's allure as a live experience.
As the band looks to expand its reach, including stadium tours, Pinkerton remains committed to preserving the DIY aesthetic that has made Castle Rat so beloved. "I want to keep the handmade element true, no matter what we scale to," she says. This vision is set to take center stage as the band embarks on an increasingly epic journey, one where fantasy and reality blend seamlessly.
For Pinkerton, this dream extends far beyond the realm of metal music. She yearns to ride out under a unicorn's starry sky every night – a testament to her enduring passion for fantasy and her refusal to be bound by conventional expectations. As Castle Rat continues its meteoric rise, fans can only wonder what enchanting tales will unfold from this talented quartet of sword-wielding sorcerers.
they're literally my new fave band ever! riley pinkerton is so inspiring, i love how she's not afraid to be herself and rock that whole DIY vibe 
from making her own chainmail armor to editing her own music videos, girl crush 
what i love most is how the whole band comes together to create this immersive experience, it sounds like a real fantasy world 
can't wait for them to come to my city and watch them live 
It's awesome that they're not afraid to get creative and DIY their way through it. I mean, who wouldn't want to see a band in full costume and makeup on stage? 
But what I think is really cool is how Riley Pinkerton has opened up her creative process to her bandmates – it makes all the difference, right? 
Like, let's be real, being part of a super collaborative environment can lead to some serious magic. And it sounds like Castle Rat's commitment to handmade production designs and DIY ethos is what sets them apart from other bands. So, even if things don't always work out perfectly (duct-taped together, anyone?), it just adds to the charm? 
. I love how she's not afraid to experiment and try new things – it's definitely part of what sets them apart as a band 
. And can we talk about her passion for fantasy? It's infectious 
. Castle Rat is truly on the cusp of greatness, and I'm so excited to see where their journey takes them next 
.
Their shows are like an immersive experience, you're totally transported into this fantasy world. Riley Pinkerton is such a strong female lead in the music scene, she's not afraid to speak her mind and be herself 
every band member is like a character in a fantasy novel - guitarists wielding swords 
lead singer wearing these amazing costumes 
it's not just about the music, it's about being transported into this world of fantasy 
they're all about preserving that handmade element even as they grow and expand their reach 
i'm totally here for it
Can't wait for their upcoming stadium tour and seeing all the magic unfold on stage 
it's clear that she's not afraid to take risks and try new things.
. she's not just a musician, she's a creator and an artist who wants to bring magic to people's lives.
& i'm low-key obsessed with the idea of them doing stadium tours 
can't wait to see what they have in store next! 
their second album The Bestiary is a masterclass in blending different metal influences - Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Manowar... who knew it could be so epic? 
riley pinkerton sounds so cool too, loving her DIY ethos and commitment to handmade everything 
also, can't wait to see them live with their epic costumes and set designs 
I mean, riley's DIY ethos is so inspiring, it's like she's taking all these amazing fantasy worlds and making them into reality 
I was thinking of getting a new camera lens to go with it. has anyone tried that lens on this new phone? 
what's the deal with chainmail armor, anyway? did she make it herself or is there someone else who helps her out? 
It's not just about epic metal battles, it's about breaking free from expectations and forging your own path. I love how Riley's willingness to collaborate has elevated her craft and brought out this new level of vulnerability in her songwriting. And that chainmail armor she makes herself?