Last August, Crypta revealed their second album 'Shades Of Sorrow'. Through this interview, Taniná, one guitarists of the band, talks in detail about the production and the dark theme of this production : from the compositions to the lyrics and artwork... She also talks about her interest in the Death Metal scene and her memories of touring:
To begin with, how do you feel after the release of "Shades of Sorrow" a few days ago? I imagine you received a lot of feedback both online and during concerts/ festivals ? Yes! We’re receiving a lot of messages and people asking their favorite songs live already.
I think the release of this second album was a different experience for Crypta ? Because "Echoes Of The Soul" came out in a very special context with the pandemic. Have you noticed any difference in the way it's been promoted and received? I think the biggest difference is that we have just released an album and we can already promote it on stage. It was different with the first album since we were in the pandemic and we had to work a lot on the internet to make it work.
The album was recorded again at Family Mob Studio and mixed by Daniel Bergstrand and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studio. Can you tell me more about these different collaborations? Why did you decide to work with these people and change compared to the first album? We had a great experience with all of them at first so we thought about repeating some stuff, but when it comes to the mixing, Shades of Sorrow it’s a whole new different album since we had a new member writing the songs and we wanted to try something different, we thought it was also a more mature album, and it has super different guitar lines and more explored. We just wanted to try something new.
Are there any significant differences between "Shades of Sorrow" and "Echoes of the Soul"? Does this new album sound more mature and technical? Yeah, I think these words represent very well the ‘’new Crypta’’ let say, it is definitely more mature in riffs, structures, techniques, lyrics, story etc. Me, Tainá, I didn’t make part of the composition on Echoes of the Soul, it was more Fernanda and Sonia, except for ‘I Resign’. In ‘Shades of Sorrow’ I started working from the beginning, and Sonia was not in the band anymore. So I think that’s why it is so different.
I think it's fair to say that 'Shades of Sorrow' is a well-balanced mix of melodic and more brutal tracks ? There are almost Black Metal influences, sometimes, right ? Yeah, I think you got this new one. I love to do more atmospheric music and transform the riffs in some feeling of sadness and despair, so naturally I think it became more black metal sometimes, and it matches very well with the lyrics.
Can you tell me more about your influences and favorite bands ? Do you personally prefer the modern or old school Death Metal scene? I’m more for the old school DM but we’re surrounded by modern metal like, for example, Gojira, is one of my favorite bands so naturally they inspire me a lot. Also everyone knows I’m super addicted to Death and is one of my biggest influences, from the melodies to the techniques. I like dark music, and sometimes it doesn’t matter if it’s old school or modern stuff. It just has to be good.
How was the writing process between the four of you? Fernanda and Luana already knew each other before Crypta was formed. For the first album, wasn't it complicated to get into this process? I can’t say much about the first album, but Shades of Sorrow was amazing actually. It was my first time composing in a band, and writing songs with Fernanda was such a nice and easy experience. I think we worked pretty well together and we have some inspirations in common, so I can say the same for Luana, we both like the Swedish DM and it’s easy to think the same when we are working together.
Jéssica di Falchi recently joined the band. She was also able to take part in the writing process and add her own musical identity to her guitar parts? Actually, she didn’t. When Jéssica joined the band we had all songs on the table, so she contributed only with her own guitar solos.
Which songs were the most difficult to write or required more challenge on this new album ? I believe ‘Stronghold’ was the most challenging one, since it’s the most different song from what we are used to writing.
Do you have a favorite track on the album or one you'd like to talk about in particular? Definitely ‘Stronghold’ is my favorite, at least for now. It’s the song that I am most proud of. I also really like ‘Lift the Blindfold’ since it’s a song that has riffs that I was keeping to myself since I was 13 yo, so it’s a very special one. ‘The Outsider’ has more of my ‘dark visions’ of writing music that I hope to explore more in the next album, probably my favorite one to play on the guitar.
Can you tell us more about the subjects in the lyrics on this album? Do you prefer to talk more about social issues or more personal things ? This album talks about the process of dealing with different shades of pain, that we have to pass through to accept many things to bring light. I think we have more of writing about personal stuff because we like to send this type of message to our fans, that’s in general about fighting for what you love no matter how difficult it can be, no matter the obstacles, you can always live again.
Can you tell me more about the choice of name for the album "Shades of Sorrow"? Is it related to a concept or a song? Definitely related to all songs, finishing what I told here in the previews question, it’s a semi-concept album. So all the shades of pain that’s written in the lyrics are in order for you to reach the ‘reborn’.
On an artistic side, can you tell me more about the artwork? Who did it and what does it represent? The artwork was made by Raul Campos, a neo-baroque museum painter. The cover was inspired by the eight of spades (which in this case became seven for aesthetic reasons). But each element represents suffering, but something that is also in your mind only. The ropes are loose, but your mind and pain say you can't let go. The swords are imprisoning you but you cannot get out. You have candles all around you, but you cannot see the light. It's the way we feel when we're going through different shades of pain in life.
Can you tell me more about the video clip of "Trial Of Traitors" video, with its dark and mysterious atmosphere ? Luana had this idea of playing in a dark and abandoned place and long take style. We thought that Trial of Traitors was the perfect song for the idea. I think that unconsciously we were inspired by such an idea after having visited the forest where the film ''Blair Witch'' was filmed, which many people commented resembled the style of the first film, I think it’s cool.
Let's talk about concerts and touring. You recently toured with Morbid Angel. I imagine this is a great opportunity for Crypta? Sure. They’re great, it was a big tour for us definitely. The guys from Morbid Angel are amazing. Every show you could look to the side of the stage and see Trey and Steve enjoying our show. We’re grateful for having the opportunity to play with them.
You've played just as many huge festivals and club gigs this summer. Do you have a preference between this ? The summer in europe it’s amazing, powerful energy from those festivals. Of course, playing at Wacken was a big victory for us. Obscene Extreme was a great night too. I think all festivals have their particular energy and touch. I like all of them, and I can’t wait for next year, I feel it’s gonna be even better.
You had the opportunity to play at Rock In Rio last year. I imagine you're very proud to be playing at such a big festival in your own country? How was this experience ? That was definitely one of the best experiences so far. I love to play in Rio, it is for Crypta one of the best audiences in the world (not saying this because it’s Brazil), but people in Rio are very passionate about our music, so playing in this festival that takes place in Rio De Janeiro was incredible. Actually we played in one of the smallest stages of the festival so we weren't expecting too many people. But we got surprised when we entered on stage and we saw a sea of people waiting for us, that was crazy and unforgettable. To make it even better, I had the chance to get to know the guys from Gojira on the backstage. That day was special.
I admit I don't know much about the Brazilian scene ( except huge bands like Sepultura). Can you tell me more about it? Do you have any underground bands to suggest? I’ll highly recommend a pagan black metal band called Miasthenia. They have some peculiar and catchy way of writing those riffs and symphonies. Most of the band are women and the singer is a History teacher in the University, so, the songs are like a History class about South America mythology. It’s beautiful, dark and memorable.
Following the release of "Shades of Sorrow", what are the plans for Crypta? We can say that you are a productive group, do you think you will keep this rhythm? We plan to reach as much as we can with this new album on our tour, especially going to places we couldn't before. Great shows and opportunities are coming so we’re working hard to make this work well. We have new tours already for next year and we can’t wait to hit the road again.
It's quite difficult not to bring up a question about the fact that Crypta is composed only with women. I'll leave you free to tell me how you feel about that. I think we can say that the Metal scene has been evolving in the right way ? I feel proud, actually, cause I believe we’re helping the scene get bigger with girls on stage. In the same way I got inspired by women in the past, and I still do, I am inspiring others to do the same. It’s a cycle that, in my opinion, will never end, it will just get stronger.
To conclude the interview, I'll leave you the last word : Thank you so much for this interview, and thanks to everyone who took some time to read it. I hope we can see each other on the road soon.
Thank you for your answers, wish you the best with this new album :)