I wouldn't go so far to say that Kryptan is a new all-star band but the Swedes consist of some guys who are active in the scene for many years (e.g. in Moondark, Dellamorte, Demonical, October Tide and Katatonia). After a solid EP in 2021 they recently released their debut "Violence, Our Power" via Edged Circle Productions (read full review here). Mattias Norrman was so nice to answer some questions to introduce the band a little bit more to you, dear readers! Enjoy reading and check out the album.

Michael

Hey, how are you guys doing?

Hi! All is good!

I guess that not too many in the scene are aware of Kryptan because you only released one EP before the full-length. Maybe you can introduce yourselves a little bit more in detail so we can get an overview?

Kryptan is a black/death metal band that was formed by me (Mattias) as a side project during the pandemic 2020. Together with Alexander Högbom (vox) and Samuel Karlstrand (drums) we recorded 4 songs, Inspired by the 90s era of scandinavian black metal, which later on was released as an EP at Debemur Mortii Productions. Then the side project turned into a band and we did some live shows with session musicians. Songwriting for a full length album began and in late 2024 we signed a deal with Edged Circle Productions to release the album titled "Violence, Our Power" on the 14th February 2025. This time with Victor Parri behind the drums.

"Violence, Our Power" is your debut album which came out (and I guess this is just pure coincidence, haha!!) on Valentine's Day. How much feedback did you already get and was it what you expected? The review I read in the German Deaf Forever mag wasn't too nice with just 5/10…

Yeah, the Valentines day date was just a coincidence, haha. But, I like the date. It's my daughter's birthday. The feedback has been good so far. Both reviews and people who message us and appreciate the album. I haven't read the review from deaf mag, but someone apparently has bad music taste, haha. No, joke aside, if he/she doesn't like it, it's totally fine. I'm not sad or upset because of that.

You guys were and still are active in the metal scene for many years, for example in Katatonia, Moondark, October Tide or Disrupted which all aren't too black metal alike. Why did you decide to start something more blackish?

Because we are all fans of black metal and for me, especially the 90s era. I've had this idea for a while, and it may have been the abundance of free time during the pandemic that pushed me to bring my ideas to life.

But in my ears, the black metal focus is mainly on the music – lyrically you deal more with the decline of the human race if I interpret it correctly. For example in "I Hope They Die" you start with the lines "It Is Time To Set The Balance Right – Industrial Genocide […] Watch Them Eat Themselves Into Extinction". Sounds like you focus on the food industry which destroys nature and also as if you are vegetarians.Do the songs belong together in some sort of topic?

Lyrics and vocals are as you said not so classic black metal. A theme for all songs are violence, murder, suicide and pure holocaust.

As I said in my review, Kryptan sound a lot like the legendary black metal bands back from the 90s and with Nox (Craft) and Simon Wizen (Valkyria, Marduk) you have some legends contributing some music, too. What are the major influences onto Kryptan?

For me it's mostly the 90 era of scandinavian black metal. Bands like Emperor, Dissection, Marduk, Mayhem, Bathory etc. It's a golden era.

The cover was created by "Ikosidio", a German artist. To quote metal-archives: "she creates illustrations inspired by occultism, ancient mythology and medieval culture by using mostly a dip pen and ink." How did she get your attention?

I'm extremely happy how the cover turned out. I didn't know about Ikosidio until our friend Alina, who did the layout for the album, recommended her. She is very talented and I love her art. The cover is inspired by an archaeological find in Motala in Sweden. Paled skulls were found in an overgrown lake and in my point of view it looked like a ritual was going on. So I gave her that idea, and that I love frames, then she kinda had free hands. And it turned out absolutely stunning!

With Edged Circle Productions a small but very fine label with a lot of great underground bands like Yoth Iria, Asagraum or Inculter signed you. What was the convincing fact to go to Stian and co?

We simply connected really well. They are super nice people and even though they are a smaller label they have the muscles, expertise and network to help us reach out to the right audience. Everything regarding this release has been super smooth, so we are more than satisfied with Stian and co.

Are there some plans to release some more videos? If I'm correct you did one with "Vägen Till Våld" yet.

We have made two videos so far. "Vägen Till Våld" and "The Miracle Inside". Both videos are made by Nicolas at Dronicon films. He also made an animated video for "A Giant Leap for Whoredom" from our EP. Very talented guy!

Are you planning to conquer some (festival) stages this year?

At the moment we have two festivals coming up this year. Helsinki death fest in Finland and Call of the crow in UK. We teamed up with Death over Rome bookings, so if any promotor out there read this, contact Death over Rome. We sure want to play live.

The last words belong to you – thank you for taking the time for the interview!

Thanks for the interview! And if you still haven't checked out Violence, our power, it's about time! Cheers!