FEMME METAL

Interview By Erwin Van Dijk

An interview with Marta from Crystal Viper.

The first question: with True Heavy Metal I think of denim jackets full of patches. Do you have a patches jacket?

Haha, yes some time ago I had a denim jacket with patches from my favorite bands, but now I prefer leather jackets, and I sometimes put on them two or more badges or patches...

Did you always wanted to become a singer?

Yes! I remember my youngest years, when I used to terrorize my family with my singing! I’m serious! I mean, when my parents had a guests, or there was an occasion to invite some guests, I was always entering the living room and started to sing, because “all of them just had to listen the newest song”... That's was very funny... Later, my parents sent me to music school, but not to singing class, I wanted to play violin, but it didn’t worked out because of some medical reasons, and I started to play piano. Now I play also other instruments, but answering your question - yes, it was always my biggest dream, to become a singer.

Did you follow any singing lessons, and what do you do to keep your voice in top condition?

I have never had any singing classes, but in music school I had a lot of classes that made my hearing quite good. And it still helps me while singing and composing. But my voice, my style of singing - it’s just me. Of course there were few persons who gave me some very important advices, but I trained and I'm still training my voice on my own.
What I do to keep my voice in a good condition? Well, there is a lot of things. I rehearse regularly, I try to not make longer breaks in singing than 4 days, unless I’m ill, or I’m after a long recording session, then I let my voice to rest  for a few days. I have a special diet before shows and recording sessions. I also don’t smoke cigarettes, and don’t eat few other things, which could treat my voice and throat bad.

Is it easy to combine Crystal Viper with your personal life?

Truly? I can answer your question in two different ways – yes, and no. Why? Music, and Crystal Viper had been always the most important things for me. There were a lot of situations, in which I had to decide, for example to go to record an album, or to get a good day job, I’ve always chose music. What’s quite funny, also in my high school I had a lot of problems because of my previous band, I simply went to rehearse and left my classes... But it have a sense for me, I do what I love to do.

And to what kind of music do you listen yourself?

Well, there is a lot of genres of music that I love to listen. I listen to classic heavy metal, power and speed metal, hard rock, a little of glam rock, there’s also few black and death metal bands that I like. But there is also a lot of classical music in my life.

And who are your favorite bands and musicians?

Hmm.... I dare to think that we don’t have so much space here to mention all of them, but to list only a few, I have to mention Judas Priest, Gamma Ray and Helloween, Manowar, Heavens Gate, Warlock, Scorpions, White Lion, Iron Maiden, Kiss, old Zed Yago, Running Wild, AC/DC. I also love to listen to Mike Oldfield, a soundtracks from movies, like "Braveheart" and "The Last Of The Mohicans"...  I like also a musicals, like "Hair", some of operas...

And how did you end up in the music business?

What about music business... Well, when you record an album and start to play shows, you are simply entering this world. It’s natural. But I have to say that Bart (my husband) entered me into this world. He is that person who stands behind the curtains, and keep the most important things in his hands. I owe him a lot.

Did you have any other bands before Crystal Viper and /or are you active in any other bands now besides Crystal Viper?

In the past I had two bands. But we recorded only few demos, and that was everything. Now, yes, I have two another projects except Crystal Viper, but now it is too early to talk about them. But believe me, you will hear about them, I’m sure.

About Crystal Viper:

What is the idea behind the name of the band?

Bart is the author of this name. Few years ago there came a moment, when we had to named this band. We came out with a lot of names, but when Bart said "Crystal Viper", that was it!

And how would you describe your music?

Well, I would say that Crystal Viper music is inspired by a heavy metal bands from the 80’s - from the time, when heavy metal was one of the most popular genres in the world. We are influenced by American bands like Virgin Steele, Manowar, Cirith Ungol, NWOBHM and British bands like Iron Maiden, Tank, Judas Priest, German bands like Helloween and Gamma Ray, Running Wild... In few words, we play music for all the metal maniacs!

And what makes Crystal Viper different compared to all the other female fronted bands in the world?

Well, you have to see this difference live! Haha...

What is your favorite Crystal Viper song and why?

It is hard for me to answer this question. It is like you answer mother which of her kids is her favorite. Well... I like them all, but if I have to choose it would be "Gladiator – Die By The Blade". Why? While singing it I fell like standing on the arena and whisper to warriors ear "It’s not your time to face the death!". This song is full of emotions, from anger to desperation, through the lost of hope and courage! This song affects on feelings.

In this digital age you did release an 7" single, called "The wolf and the witch" containing two songs, the title track and a Warlock cover, "Mr. Gold". Doro is more or less the symbol of women in Heavy Metal so I can understand that you would cover a Warlock song, but why did you choose "Mr. Gold"? And why a 7" single?

We knew that we want to release a 7” single for a such long time! Some time ago, one journalist told me that we play a "vinyl metal", and I think he was right. Nowadays, in the iPod and mp3 times, a vinyl release is something splendid, something what is over all this things, we try to release each of our releases also on vinyl.

About Warlock and "Mr. Gold", well, we recorded this song for a tribute to Warlock "A Tribute To Steel", and decide to put it on this release as well, because it could be quite hard for our fans to get this album. Well, it was quite hard to chose only one song, because we all are a big fans of Warlock, and had a lot of ideas. At the end, Bart asked "Why not to record a "Mr. Gold"? This song’s suite to Crystal Viper style perfectly”. So we stopped to talk about Warlock songs, and recorded this one.

Your latest album is "Metal Nation", released early this year. Are you already working on a new album?

Yes. I’m finishing to write our third album. I think we will record it at the beginning of next year.

Is song writing teamwork in Crystal Viper or is there one mastermind behind the music?

Generally it’s all my work. I play piano and guitar, so I write and arrange songs myself. I also write a basic drum tracks for Golem. There is also one song written by Andy, and one that we wrote together. But of course it’s not like that I don’t want them to compose, I mean it would be great and some thing would go much more faster if they also would do that, but so far it seems they are happy that they don't need to write any songs, haha...

True Heavy Metal lyrics are usually full of the typical true heavy metal clichés. Were do you get the inspiration for the music and lyrics?

At the beginning I have to say that there are two persons, who write lyrics for Crystal Viper, me and Bart - our manager and producer. Bart usually search for inspiration in history and fantasy literature. When I write lyrics I’m generally inspired by old myths and stories, history, old horror movies and so on.

Can you introduce us the other members of Crystal Viper?

Andy and Golem joined Crystal Viper before recording of our debut album, so they are members of Crystal Viper from the official beginning. Tom is a very good bass player, he play with us for almost two years now. We all are great friends, and I can’t imagine it could be different. I think it’s impossible to play with somebody that you don’t like... We all are like a big family. They all are great musicians and people.

What are your highlights with Crystal Viper so far?

I think it’s a release of our first album. I’ll never forget this moment, when Bart put on my hands our first album. I’ve never felt before as fantastic as back then! I think that that was the most important moment for me since this band exist. Then I was sure, then all what we do has a sense.

And did you have any negative experiences with the band?

There were of course a lot of bad experiences, like burglary to our rehearsal room, or playing with a guys for whom being rock stars was more important than being musicians, there were some unpleasant things that other bands have done to us.

But you know, it is more important to left behind all the negative stories, try to learn on mistakes and go ahead! And of course to do what you love to do.

What more can we expect from Crystal Viper in 2010 and beyond?

You can expect next Crystal Viper album, a lot of great live shows, and some unexpected surprises! It will be the most important year for us, I think.

And the last question: is there anything the reader should know that I have not asked?

I only would like to say hello to all the rock and metal fans, your readers and of course Crystal Viper fans! We are metal nation!

Thank you for your time

Thank you Erwin, it was a pleasure to answer your questions, take care!

Latest Multimedia

Links

Marta Gabriel Official Profile

Crystal Viper Official MySpace

Crystal Viper Official Site

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