This Week • December 07 2003

Angelcrypt

Formed back in 1997, Angelcrypt have had a plethora of gigs, their unique blend of epic power metal and a thrash sensibilities with nods to black metal have garnered them great underground success. Consequently, they went on to be nominated for this year’s Carslberg Malta Music Awards, in the ‘Best Heavy Rock’ category. Teodor Reljic was invited to their rehearsal room in San Gwann for a chat with the band minus their bassist, Kevin, who unfortunately couldn’t be present. The rest of the band includes Juan Xerri on vocals, Shawn Mizzi on guitars, Josef Bray on drums and his brother Nicholas on keyboards.
How long have you been playing, as Angelcrypt?
Josef: We started 6 and a half years ago, 7 as of July...now, the current line-up has been around for a year and a half, a bit less. I think we have now found an ideal line-up for the band, and we’re progressing quite well.
Have you changed your style throughout the years? If so, in what direction?
Shawn: Well, we did start with a particular style, but it was always original, since all of us had different influences. For example, Josef used to listen to a lot of power metal, I was into black and death metal, Nicholas - Freddie Portelli (Laughs), and Juan wasn’t in the band at that time. Plus our bassist, Kevin was into
a lot of thrash metal; Pantera and so on...so we all put it together and came up with the Angelcrypt style. Also, in my opinion we’ve become a lot heavier recently.
Do you see any recurring influences in the music?
Shawn: Well there are always the ‘top’ bands, as I like to call them; bands like Metallica...by whom everyone is influenced, and then you would hear a new band, like for example, Children of Bodom (avant-garde metal band from Finland) and they affect you in a different way and move you in a new direction.
On the whole, what’s your opinion of the local metal scene?
Juan: Well I think that although it still has a solid following, it’s not as strong now as it was in, say the 80s...not to say it’s bad, but I think people are more interested in other types of music, it could be better. It’s like metal puts the general public off, they get the impression that it’s first and foremost satanic, and I have no idea why, and secondly that it’s just noise without any technique or melody involved. It’s like it’s got a taboo stuck to it, which is ridiculous. For example, when I play some melodic metal, like, say, Rhapsody (Italian power-metal band) to people that aren’t into it, they like it, but they tell you "this isn’t metal." It’s like there is an automatic negative connotation with it - and that’s why I admire metal fans, because they found the music themselves, they weren’t conditioned by their surroundings.
Does this help the music to a certain extent? The fact that you go on playing a style that won’t get you commercial success?
Juan: I don’t even want to achieve commercial success, that’s something I truly feel inside me. The situation, the ‘taboo’ helps to maintain your style. I feel proud that I play and sing underground music...I think that when some more popular bands see us play, and I have nothing against these bands, I even listen to some of them...I think that deep down, it makes them reflect on the fact that we are as capable, if not more, than they are musically, and yet they are more successful - I think they feel it...So, at the end of the day, I feel like I’ve won. This doesn’t mean we disrespect these people, we played with Winter Moods, for example, they’re great guys. I’m just confused by people that listen to their music and then bash metal. That’s also thanks to the taboo. Even at work, I’m labeled a Satanist simply because I’ve got our band photo in my locker.
Despite the fact that metal is misunderstood, there are certain cliches that keep popping up in the genre, do you feel inclined to break away from them?
Shawn: Well, we’re always trying to discover new music, as I said, we don’t want to be attached to just one style. We have everything from ballads to a new song that I think could be compared to Dimmu Borgir (Norwegian symphonic black metal band). The main influence is, I think power metal, but we combine so many different styles.
How do you feel about your nomination, on the whole?
Shawn: The awards have done nothing other than humiliate us. We played the ‘Best Live’ gig, and they didn’t even let us do a half-hour set, and we had to leave out our last song, because it’s metal...aside from the fact that the other bands played for over forty-five minutes. Now we’re not the type to complain, but there is a limit - it just goes to show there is no respect for the local metal scene, when in fact there is a lot of potential.
Your debut is pretty much complete. What’s your overall opinion of it?
Juan: I love it. The dearest thing I have at this point...musically, because then I have my Vicky! (hugs his girlfriend)
Josef: We worked very hard for it, and first of all, I hope that it’s well-received, which I don’t doubt, since there is some great music on it, and it was a dream we harboured since the very beginning. The first dream was to play live, which I’ve now gotten used to and am even sick of. Carrying your drum kit back into the garage at 4am is no joke!
Is there something else you would like to explore musically?
Juan: I think everyone agrees with me on the orchestra or a choir (sounds of approval), I would personally like to experiment with a black metal voice more, but still retain the Angelcrypt sound.