Cryptodira
Written by: Cait Elizabeth - September 2020
Edited by: Travis Ryan
Introductions
Progressive black metal band Cryptodira’s bond has been forged through years of friendship and creative collaborations. Scott Acquavella (guitars/vocals), Jeremy Lewis (bass), Mike Monaco (guitar/vocals), and Matthew Taibi (drums) have been playing music together in one form or another since pre-teendom. Their sound has evolved into Cryptodira’s beloved fusion of aggressive vocals, precision drumming, and haunting atmospheric transitions.
Cryptodira’s brand new EP Better Left Unsaid focuses on weighty topics such as humanitarianism, morality, and political structures. The lyrics read as philosophical and open-ended, leaving room for the listener’s thoughts to melt into the message of the music.
Most songs begin with a member chasing down a riff or melody until a demo can be brought to the table to build upon. “Most of the time this is Mike or Matt. From there, they’ll bring it to the rest of the band for us all to color in the lines.” Matt writes all the lyrics that are later arranged with melodies to polish off their songs.
Cryptodira released a 10-track album titled The Devil’s Despair in 2017, preceded by the singles “Speaking the Ocean” (2015), and “Descent” (2016). If you just cannot get enough of their recent two-track EP Better Left Unsaid, never fear; there is an LP due out this year on Good Fight Music baptized The Angel of History.
Tours & Shows
“At times it feels surreal that playing nerdy prog metal would bring us to places like the UK, Germany, and Czechia, but on the other hand it was what we always wanted and we were never going to settle, so it feels right.” Cryptodira has left their mark around the United States and Europe, often sharing stages with the UK’s Loathe across the pond.
Support & Subscribe
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Bandcamp
www.Cryptodira.net
Inspiration & Influence
The band doesn’t believe in limiting their creative influence to music alone, and this attitude shines through in the often cinematic experience of their music. All mediums of art play equally into the sound they create. Cryptodira draws inspiration from “the sort of prog/weirdo giants” like Opeth, Between the Buried and Me, and The Dillinger Escape Plan just as frequently as unsuspecting flavors such as Paramore, Daughters, and Tears For Cheers.
“Play music for the right reasons. Play your music like you mean it. Say something worth saying. Use your platform for good. Stop trying to be famous.”