Polish heavy metal stalwarts Crystal Viper continue their legacy with The Silver Key — a conceptual extension of their previous work The Cult, drawing heavily from the eerie universe of H.P. Lovecraft. We caught up with Marta Gabriel, the band’s founding member and creative force, to talk sonic storytelling, raw live energy, and the band’s undying love for classic metal.
“The Silver Key” is a conceptual continuation of “The Cult,” both inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. How do you approach adapting such atmospheric and philosophical horror into a sonic Heavy Metal form without losing its essence?
I think the key is understanding Lovecraft’s mood, the atmosphere, mystery, and the unknow. Musically, I use melodies, rhythms, and dynamic contrasts to reflect what’s currently on my mind. Lyrically, I usually try to write from a human perspective, mostly from the 1st person point of view — someone on the edge of discovering something terrifying and eerie. Metal is the perfect genre for this kind of storytelling: it’s dramatic, powerful, and emotional.
The Live Quest captures your performances across several countries. What were some of the most memorable or challenging moments from that tour that made it onto the album?
Actually, there’s a bit of a misunderstanding here — “The Live Quest” was recorded entirely at the Keep It True Rising Festival in Germany. We didn’t compile material from different shows. That particular night had such incredible energy that we felt we didn’t need anything else. The audience was on fire, the atmosphere was unforgettable, and everything just came together perfectly. That’s why we chose to immortalize that show — raw, honest, and full of passion.
Crystal Viper has often been compared to other female-fronted bands, yet your roots are firmly planted in traditional Heavy and Power Metal. How do you navigate that balance between defying expectations and honoring your influences like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest?
I never tried to be a “female-fronted” band — we are a heavy metal band, period. My influences are the classics: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Manowar, Black Sabbath. I’ve always felt like I’m carrying their legacy forward while staying true to myself. If that defies someone’s expectations, good! But the goal has never been to prove anything — it’s to write and perform the kind of music we love, with passion and integrity.
You included covers of Bathory and Misfits on The Silver Key. What drew you to those particular bands for tribute, and how did you approach making the songs your own?
Bathory and Misfits both played a big role in shaping who I am as a musician. Bathory’s “Blood On Ice” album is very atmospheric and epic, it fits the Lovecraftian mood of “The Silver Key”, and it’s an amazing song! Misfits, on the other hand, are raw and fun, and remind me of my teenage years, and what else, their horror themes resonate with me. Also, recording cover songs is our way to say “thank you” to the bands that inspired us.
With you performing vocals, bass, guitar, and piano, how do you translate such multi-instrumental roles into a cohesive live experience without compromising the music’s intensity?
In the studio, I play many instruments because I love the process of building songs from the ground up. But live, I focus 100% on vocals and guitar, or vocals and bass. I’m lucky to have incredibly talented bandmates who bring those other parts to life on stage. We all know each other very well, and that chemistry is what makes it work. Everyone plays their role with heart, and we don’t need tricks or backing tracks to sound full — just real instruments, real voices, and real metal.
This being your debut live album after over a decade of releases, why was now the right time to capture Crystal Viper live, and how does it represent your evolution as a band?
We’ve been thinking about a live album for a while, but it had to feel right. After “The Silver Key”, everything just aligned — the music, the tour, the performances, the fans. We’re tighter than ever as a band, and the energy on stage felt really powerful. It was time to show people who we are live — without studio polish, just raw passion. “The Live Quest” is not just a live album, it’s a statement of where we are after all these years: more focused, more connected, and more metal!
Your album covers, particularly the recent ones by Mario Lopez, have a distinct visual identity. How important is the visual element in presenting the narrative and energy of a Crystal Viper release?
Extremely important. I see the album artwork as the visual gateway into our world. Mario Lopez understands our vibe perfectly — he captures the fantasy, horror, and epic elements in a way that matches the music. When you look at a Crystal Viper cover, I want you to feel like you’re about to enter a different dimension. It’s not just packaging — it’s part of the storytelling.
You’ve taken on multiple instrumental roles—vocals, bass, guitar, and piano. Can you tell us about your current live and studio gear setups for each, and how they shape Crystal Viper’s signature sound?
I’ve been composing music on my Casio digital piano for nearly 20 years — it’s still what I use when writing songs and recording piano parts in the studio. For guitars and bass, I play almost exclusively ESP/LTD — I’ve been proudly endorsed by them for years. I also use KHDK effects pedals for both guitar and bass. On stage, I used to run my bass through a Blackstar amp and Tech 21 preamp, but recently I switched to a simple DI box setup — it’s more practical on the road. As for guitar amps, it really depends on the tone we’re aiming for in the studio — we’ve used lots of different ones over the years. Live, we currently use Baroni amps — they’re compact and travel-friendly, but still pack a serious punch!
If you could summon any Lovecraftian entity to be your roadie for a tour, who would you choose and what would their job be? (Besides driving the van through cosmic voids, of course.)
[laughs] That’s a fun one! I think I’d summon Nyarlathotep — he has a thousand forms, so he could basically multitask the entire tour crew: tuning guitars, handling lights, doing merch, and dealing with promoters! Just as long as he doesn’t whisper madness into our ears during soundcheck…
Crystal Viper’s The Silver Key and The Live Quest are available now on all streaming platforms and physical formats. For fans of classic metal, Lovecraftian horror, and epic live performances — this band continues to carry the torch into powerful new realms.
Categories: Crystal Viper, Interviews, Music
Capital Chaos TV 
Leave a comment