Cryptosis band photo
Interviews

FRANK TE RIET (CRYPTOSIS): “We Are Living In A Time, Right Now, Where It’s A New Technology Era”

Before becoming the Dutch metal band Cryptosis, they were a typical ’80s thrash metal band in the Netherlands known as Distillator. From 2015 to 2020, they toured with acts such as Pestilence, Metal Church, and Vektor. After playing the same style over and over again, the band decided to shift gears and form a new musical path for themselves. In 2018, they began working on their Bionic Swarm (2021) album and sent a few tracks to record labels just to spark interest, but no band name was included in the submission. Century Media Records came a calling and the band began their new journey as Cryptosis, a band that blends different European influences together to create an atmospheric and cinematic feel. Due to the pandemic, they ran into a few hiccups with keeping the momentum going. They managed to release The Silent Call EP in 2023, which contains a brand new song in the title track, one unreleased track from the Bionic Swarm sessions, and live versions of the album tracks, “Prospect of Immortality” and “Transcendence.” Lo and behold, 2025 will see the release of Cryptosis’ second studio album titled, Celestial Death, which the concept focuses on how the ever changing technological world of modern society is affecting everyone’s lives. Lana Teramae of Metal Express Radio had a chat with bassist Frank te Riet from Cryptosis about their latest album, Celestial Death. They also talked about the pros and cons of modern technology, why it’s better to listen to an album from start to finish, his hobbies outside of music, and more. Celestial Death will be released through Century Media Records on March 7, 2025. Band Lineup Laurens Houvast – lead vocals, guitars Frank te Riet – bass guitar, mellotron, synths, backing vocals Marco Prij – drums Check out the …READ MORE

Voivod
Audio Interviews

DENIS “SNAKE” BÉLANGER (VOIVOD): “People Were Asking… VOIVOD At The Jazz Festival?”

Juno Award Winners Bring It Live Voivod began their musical journey nearly 40 years ago as a Thrash Metal band. Through the years they developed into one of the leading Progressive Metal Acts out of Canada. In fact, their last studio album, 2018’s The Wake, won ‘Heavy Metal Album of the Year’ at the Juno Awards (Canada’s version of the Grammy Awards). On November 27, 2020 Voivod will release their second live album Lost Machine Live through Century Media Records. Recorded in front of their home base of Quebec City, the 13 track live show promises Voivod at the best of their game. It’s been 20 years since they last released a live album. I caught up with Voivod vocalist Denis “Snake” Bélanger to talk about the new live album, what it was like winning a Juno Award, and what Voivod has planned in the future. Voivod is: Denis “Snake” Bélanger – Vocals Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain – Guitar Dominic “Rocky” Laroche – Bass Michel “Away” Langevin – Drums Band Links: Official Website Facebook Instagram

Sanctuary Band 90s
Audio Interviews

LENNY RUTLEDGE (SANCTUARY): “It Was Five Guys That Were Young And Hungry”

Looking Back Into the Mirror Black Sanctuary released their debut album Refuge Denied in 1988. The album was produced by Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine. From there Sanctuary toured relentlessly, sharing stages with Warlock, Savatage, Megadeth, Testament, Fates Warning, and many others. 1990 saw the release of Sanctuary’s landmark album Into the Mirror Black. An album that could have been a bigger deal if it had come out a few years sooner. Bands like Sanctuary were already being discarded for the Grunge bands of the ’90s. The band was also struggling internally and broke up shortly thereafter. Most of the of the band moved on to form Nevermore. Guitarist Lenny Rutledge got into production. Sanctuary reunited in 2014, but tragedy struck when lead singer Warrel Dane passed away in 2017. Century Media Records released the 30th Anniversary Edition of Into the Mirror Black on October 9, 2020. Zuess was brought in to remaster the original tracks plus the added bonus disc of live material. A few of the 10 live tracks originally appeared appeared on a rare promo EP released in 1990. I had the chance to speak with Sanctuary guitarist Lenny Rutledge about the remastered version of Into the Mirror Black. Rutledge also discusses what things were like for the band back then, how they trashed a brand new RV, Dave Mustaine producing their first album, and whether a new Sanctuary album is on the way. Sanctuary (2020) is Lenny Rutledge – Guitar Dave Budbill – Drums Joseph Michael – Vocals George Hernandez – Bass Joey Concepcion – Guitar Band Links Facebook Buy The Album