By Jim Barber
Capitalizing on the raw, intense, visceral energy shared between the band and hundreds of thousands of excitable and enthusiastic metal music fans, Polish classic metal stalwarts Crystal Viper chose to record select shows on their most recent tour, capturing a powerful series of performances which they will unleash onto the world in the form of the new live album, The Live Quest, coming out on multiple formats June 27 on Listenable Records worldwide.
The band’s 2024 tour, which saw them play an extensive array of venues throughout Europe, including at legendary festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Hellfest, was focused on their most recent studio album, the conceptually dark and brooding The Silver Key (2024) as well as drawing from the 2021 release, The Cult which began the band’s H.P. Lovecraft-inspired storytelling arc.
Founded, fronted and inspired by the band’s chief songwriter and undoubted leader, the inimitable and multitalented musical powerhouse Marta Gabriel, Crystal Viper has been at the centre of a metal movement that focuses on the classic sound of metal from genre heavyweights such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, but with a very modern and compelling interpretation. Gabriel’s indefatigable energy, and irrepressible drive has seen the band through lineup changes, transformations in musical tastes and seismic shifts in the way people listen and purchase music, to rise to the status of industry mainstays, gaining not only legions of new fans over their 22-year journey, but also the respect of their peers and the reputation as ‘must see’ performers on any stage on which they appear.
From the 2007 release of their debut album, The Curse of the Crystal Viper, through eight more full-length albums, two EPs and a pair of compilation records, Crystal Viper has demonstrated the ability to tell compelling, vividly fantastical stories to the accompaniment of pulse-pounding, riff-enveloped, high-octane metal music.
Gabriel and current bandmates Andy Wave (guitars), Giuseppe Taormina (the newest member, joining last year) and drummer Kuba Galwas, are in their finest form throughout every track on The Live Quest, with a particular nod to the exceptional interpretations of ‘The Silver Key,’ ‘The Witch is Back,’ and the truly epic ‘The Last Axeman,’ which are stellar not only in the impressive musicianship and Gabriel’s raucous vocals, but also in the live crowd response.
What follows is an e-mail Q&A interview conducted with Gabriel recently as she and the rest of Crystal Viper prepare for the European summer festival season. MLM is Music Life Magazine, and MG is Marta Gabriel. Neither the questions, nor the answers have been altered, except for spelling/grammar reasons. Enjoy!
MLM: Why was now the right time for Crystal Viper to release a live album?
MG: Honestly, it felt like the perfect moment. After so many years of touring and connecting with fans face to face, we finally had the right combination of energy, experience, and circumstances to capture that live magic properly. The last tour was really special – the crowds were insane, the setlist covered both new material and old fan favorites, and we were finally able to bring our full stage production to life. We just knew: this is it – let’s document it!
MLM: What was special about that last tour that made you want to capture it on video and share it with the world?
MG: There was a certain chemistry between the band and the audience that felt stronger than ever. Every night felt emotional, powerful, and full of adrenaline. The audience reactions, the singing, the energy – we felt like this was something we couldn’t just let fade away. We had to share it with those who couldn’t be there.
MLM: For you, what is the purpose of a live album? Is it a reward or souvenir for dedicated fans who come to the show? Is it a way to show people who don’t know Crystal Viper what an amazing live band you are? Is it a way for you to capture a moment in time – kind of a legacy project to look back on years from now? Or all of the above?
MG: Definitely all of the above. It’s a tribute to our fans who have been with us all these years, a showcase for new listeners to see who we really are, and a personal milestone for us as a band. A live album is raw, honest, and full of life – just like our shows. It’s a time capsule of a moment we’re proud of, and something we’ll always be able to look back on.
MLM: The band has been around for approximately 20 years now. When you compare the live show in this album with how the band performed back in 2010 or even earlier, what thoughts go through your head? How did you think you’ve evolved and grown as songwriters and performers over the years?
MG: It’s a crazy journey when I look back! We were young and hungry back then, full of passion but maybe lacking experience. Today, we still have that same fire, but we’ve become stronger performers, and I became more mature songwriter. We’ve learned how to channel our energy, how to engage the audience, and how to deliver a powerful show every single night. I think we’ve stayed true to our roots, but we’ve also grown – as people and as musicians.
MLM: What do you think is special about the music you create in Crystal Viper, and why does it translate so well to the live stage? Is it because when you record studio albums you try to keep as much of a ‘live’ feel as possible?
MG: Absolutely. We never overproduce or polish the soul out of our songs. Our music has always been very riff- and melody-driven, and it’s created with the stage in mind. Even in the studio, we think: “How will this sound live? Will it get people moving? Will they sing along?”. That raw energy, the emotion, the storytelling – it’s all very real and translates naturally into our live performances.
MLM: Were all the shows you recorded for the album performed in big stadiums? What do you like about playing at those big festivals? How is the energy different from playing in a smaller theatre or club? I guess each has its good points and bad points.
MG: We played a mix of venues – big festivals and more intimate clubs. Both have their charm. Festivals and large open-air shows are pure adrenaline. You see this sea of people moving together, singing your lyrics – it’s overwhelming in the best way. But small venues are magical too: the eye contact, the sweat, the closeness – it’s like playing in your living room for your best friends. We love both experiences equally.
MLM: When you first started playing big stadiums and arenas, did it take you and the band a while to get used to the big crowds and huge stage? It takes time, I guess, to learn to use all that space and learn to project and move around on those massive stages.
MG: Oh yes, it was a learning curve! Suddenly you’re not just singing and playing, you’re also running around, connecting with people who are 30 meters away. But I loved that challenge. I come from a performing background, and I enjoy using the whole stage – it becomes a playground. With time, you learn how to “own” that space without losing authenticity.
MLM: Does the size of the crowd matter for the amount of energy you put into a show?
MG: Not at all. Whether it’s 50 or 5,000 people – we give everything. Every show matters. Every fan matters. Sometimes the smallest crowd can give you the most unforgettable moment, and sometimes a huge crowd gives you goosebumps you’ll never forget. It’s about connection, not numbers.
MLM: When you first started, it wasn’t as common to see a female fronted band, never mind a band that was created and operated by a woman, who was also the primary songwriter and front-person? It must make you feel good to see so many metal bands, especially in Europe, but more and more in North America, where women not only are the leaders, but sometimes make up the entire band? Hopefully, the world is at a point where we can just refer to Crystal Viper as a great band, not just a ‘female-fronted’ band.
MG: Exactly. I’ve always believed that music isn’t about gender, it’s about heart, skill, and expression. Seeing so many talented women now leading metal bands, not just in Europe but worldwide, makes me incredibly proud. Hopefully, we’ve helped break some walls down. And yeah, Crystal Viper have never been a “female-fronted” band to me – we’re a heavy metal band to the bone.
MLM: Your last two studio albums were very intense, with powerful playing and great, complex stories? Are you going to continue down that creative path, writing more ‘epic’ tales and concept albums?
MG: Storytelling is a big part of who we are. I’ve always loved fantasy, horror, and epic themes – they allow you to explore big emotions and universal truths in an imaginative way. I’m not working on a New Crystal Viper material yet; I’m focusing on my new project which will see daylight very soon. It will be intense, catchy, and totally different than Crystal Viper. Stay tuned!
MLM: Are there any plans to come back to North America? We talked before about how there are places in both Canada, where I am, and the United States that have good sized Polish and Ukrainian communities as well as lots of metal fans.
MG: Touring North America has always been a dream for us, especially because we know we have loyal fans there – not only from Polish and Ukrainian communities, but from the wider metal scene as well. The truth is, organizing a tour there is very complicated at the moment – both financially and logistically. The costs of travel, shipping gear, and getting work visas have skyrocketed for European bands, which makes it really difficult to make it happen without strong support. But that being said: if the opportunity comes, we’re absolutely ready and excited to finally bring Crystal Viper to North American stages.
MLM: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. It’s an excellent live album that captures the band’s style and emotional intensity so well. Great job. Take care!
MG: Thank you for the interview. We are Metal Nation!
For more information about Crystal Viper and the new live album, The Live Quest, visit https://www.listenable.eu/crystal-viper/, or https://linktr.ee/crystalviper.
- Jim Barber is a veteran award-winning journalist and author based in Napanee, Ontario, Canada, who has been writing about music and musicians for more than 30 years. Besides his journalistic endeavors, he works as a communications and marketing specialist, and is an avid volunteer in his community. Contact him at jimbarberwritingservices@gmail.com.
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