MUMBAI: Earlier this week, Bangalore based old school metal veterans Kryptos announced through their Facebook page that they have begun recording their upcoming 4th studio album.

With three previously released cult classics ‘Spiral Ascent’ in 2004, ‘The Ark of Gemini’ in 2008 and ‘The Coils of Apollyon’ in 2013 and multiple European tours over the years, Kryptos has created quite a reputation for itself.  The band is scheduled for another European tour this year with the Headbangers Open Air Festival, RheinRiot 2016, Apes Enraged 2016 and more to be announced. Radioandmusic caught up with Guitarist and Vocalist Nolan Lewis for a chat around the latest album and songwriting

When is the album going to release? Can you walk us through the album name and concept?

We don’t really have any details as yet since it’s still a bit too early but we’re working on the album title and release date as we speak. The album will, however, contain eight tracks. Our previous albums had more to do with stuff about the occult, science fiction, alternate history etc. The new album does touch on some of those topics but not in as much detail as before. It’s more about ‘having a good time’ than anything else. It is very 80’s in nature so it has got that vibe to it as well. 

Which is your favourite track in the album?

I don’t really have a favourite track at the moment but there’s a very cool, mid-paced track at the end of the album that sort of hits the spot for me. It’s almost like a ‘lone ranger’ style-d track. 

Is there anything new you are experimenting with this album versus the previous releases?

We have basically stripped it own this time. Most of our thrash influences are gone and we have concentrated on writing some really catchy, melodic heavy metal in the vein of classic Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy and Def Leppard. Lots of hooks and short, to-the-point songs. 
 

Where is the album being recorded and what stage is the recording process in at the moment? Do you plan to master it abroad?

We’re recording guitars and bass at our own practice space, which we’ve converted into a makeshift studio for the album. The drums and vocals will be recorded at a professional studio. As of now, the guitar tracks are done and we start tracking drums very soon. We are still deciding who and where the mastering will take place so that will take some time. 

Any details on the artwork?

We have commissioned Mattias Frisk to do the art for the new album. He has done artwork for a lot of bands like Ghost, Under the Church, Morbus Chron etc. We should have the finished artwork with us in a few weeks.

How does the songwriting process take place? Is it a collective effort where all the members contribute or is there a primary songwriter?

Usually, Rohit and I come up with the main song structures and melodies. We then put them together and then let the other guys to put their own stamp on them. Ganesh is writing most of the lyrics this time so yes, it is a collective effort but it isn’t put together collectively if that makes any sense

AFM is a major record label for metal, how did you manage to sign with them?

Our ex-manager Salman U. Syed hooked us up with them through his sources. They have a wide distribution network in Europe, which is great for us, so we’re eager to see what they can do for the new album. 

Kryptos is the only Indian band that has extensively toured Europe year over year, how do manage to get on these bills?

I wouldn’t say we’re the only Indian band to have done that. Demonic Resurrection does it every year as well. Putting together a tour of Europe is a difficult task. Luckily we’re signed with a very good booking agent, Seaside Touring, who gets us some great gigs there. Hopefully, we’ll head to Europe a lot more in the future. 

Does Kryptos’ presence in the European scene help open up avenues for other bands in India? Considering your exposure to the international metal community, how is Indian metal perceived?

I really don’t know if it has actually, but I’d say other Indian bands shouldn’t depend on anyone else to open doors for them. They need to do it themselves because none of this comes on a silver platter. There’s no real ‘demand’ as such because most people abroad don’t even know metal bands in India even exist. Of course, it’s slowly changing but until Indian bands release high-quality metal albums on a consistent basis, we won’t see a demand anytime soon. But we’re trying to do our best to change that so let’s see how it goes. 

How has the Indian metal landscape changed from your early days until today according to you?

There were a lot more people at gigs back in the day since that was your only source of entertainment. There were no mobile phones, or the internet, or cable TV or anything. So you, went out for a drink, went to a gig or did both. It was a great time and it was pretty exciting as well since everyone was in the same boat and we were all trying to get a foothold. Nowadays, the internet has changed everything. Sure, the bands are a lot better now than back then, but then again both eras have their pros and cons.