Leatherwitch, the new project from Marta Gabriel (Crystal Viper), are in this week’s Meet The Band spotlight. Their debut album is First Spell. Gabriel introduces us to her band.
Chad Bowar What led to the end of Crystal Viper?
Marta Gabriel: Ending Crystal Viper was not an easy decision, because it was a huge part of my life for many years. But at some point I simply felt that this chapter was complete. I always try to follow my instinct, and it told me that it was the right moment to close this story and move forward. I prefer to end things in a natural way, instead of forcing them to continue.
What inspired you to record a solo album?
I think there might be a small misunderstanding here – the Leatherwitch debut is not my solo album. My solo albums under my own name are something completely different, both musically and conceptually. Leatherwitch is a band in spirit, even if I’m handling most of the recording process myself. I had a lot of ideas for this kind of raw, heavy metal music, and I felt that they didn’t really fit either Crystal Viper or my solo work. That’s why I decided to create a new identity for it. Leatherwitch gave me a completely fresh start, without any expectations or limitations.
Describe the songwriting process for First Spell.
I wrote everything from scratch, following the feel, without overthinking or analyzing too much. Sometimes I actually hear a complete song in my head, and the only thing I need to do is sit down in the studio, pick up the instruments, and record it. With Leatherwitch, what was really special is that I recorded everything myself, so the moment the song was finished composition-wise, it was already basically the final album version. This is the first album that I recorded entirely on my own, in my private recording studio, so the whole process felt very natural and immediate. But also challenging.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
The biggest challenge was stepping into the role of my own recording engineer for the first time. I was responsible not only for the music itself, but also for all the technical aspects of the recordings and making sure everything was done properly from that side. Fortunately, my husband Bart helped me a lot when it came to choosing the gear and equipment, and later, he also took care of the album from the production side. Later, after the album was mixed by Olof Wikstrand, Bart also did the mastering.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
Probably the whole experience of doing everything on my own. It was very intense, but also very honest and satisfying. That kind of freedom is something very special.
How would you characterize its style/sound?
It’s pure heavy metal, raw, energetic, and very direct. It’s less structured and more spontaneous than what I did before. I focused on capturing a vibe and atmosphere.
What lyrical topics do you cover?
It’s a mix of different things. Of course there are some classic heavy metal themes, because that’s something I’ve always loved and it’s part of who I am as an artist. But at the same time, there are also more personal topics: emotions, real-life situations, and things that I experienced over the last months. I didn’t want to limit myself to one direction, I just wrote what felt natural at that moment. I like when lyrics are honest, but also leave some space for interpretation, so listeners can find their own meaning in them.
How did you decide to cover Helloween’s “Walls Of Jericho/Ride The Sky” and Manowar’s “Black Wind, Fire And Steel,” and how did you approach the arrangements?
These are songs that had a big impact on me and really shaped my musical taste. Recording them was my way of paying tribute to the artists that inspired me. When it comes to arrangements, I always try to stay true to the spirit of the original, but at the same time give it my own feeling and energy. I don’t change arrangements – when I choose a cover song to record, it’s because I like the song in it entity, so I never feel like I should add changes.
How was the video shoot for “Beast Inside?”
We shot the video in Ojcow, in Poland, in a location full of rocks and caves – it’s actually a very well known place. Some scenes were filmed in the same cave that you can see in the famous Polish epic movie “With Fire And Sword.” To be honest, we were very lucky, because the whole shoot almost didn’t happen. Literally with the last planned scene, with the last word I sang in the final chorus, it started raining. So we finished everything just in time!
How important are videos in the promotion process?
When it comes to music videos in general, I don’t think they are extremely important in promotion nowadays. It’s cool to show how the band looks and feels visually, but today the internet has taken over the role of TV and printed magazines, and we are constantly flooded with new content. Because of that, it’s actually quite difficult for a music video to really reach a wider audience. I see it more as an additional element, not something essential.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
I don’t think too much in terms of expectations. I just wanted to create something honest and true to myself. Of course I hope people will feel this energy and connect with it: it’s beautiful, when you create music, and there are people who wants to listen your songs!
As you work to build a fan base for Leatherwitch, what lessons did you learn from Crystal Viper that you can apply?
The most important lesson is to stay true to yourself and your vision. Also, I learned that building something real takes time, and that honesty in music is something people can really feel.
You announced a tour with Fifth Angel next month. Who will be playing in your live band?
The live lineup is complete and we’re ready to hit the stage. I’m very happy with the musicians involved, they really understand the spirit of this music. I’ll announce the full lineup very soon.
What’s currently in your musical heavy rotation?
I listen to a lot of different heavy metal, both classic and newer bands. It really depends on the mood. I recently listen a lot to Led Zeppelin and Budgie.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Thank you for the interview and for your support. Stay metal and see you on tour!
(interview published May 30, 2026)
