Artist: Crystal Tears
Orgin: Thessaloniki (Griechenland), Kopenhagen (Dänemark), Budapest (Ungarn)
Genre: Heavy Metal / Power Metal
Label: Massacre Records
Link: http://www.crystaltearsband.com
Bandmitglieder:
Vocals – Søren Adamsen
Guitar – Kostas Sotos
Guitar – Máté Nagy
Bass – Alex Chamalides
Drums – Chrisafis Tantanozis
Time For Metal / Heike L.:
Hi Crystal Tears,
First of all thank you very much for taking your time answering our questions.
Crystal Tears:
Thanks so much my dear metal friend for your kind support!
Time For Metal / Heike L.:
I know, that you started your career in 2006 and Hellmade is your third album. Nevertheless I have to admit that this was the first time I heard of you, and maybe there are also some other people in the same situation. Could you please tell us something about the history and the evolution of Crystal Tears?
Crystal Tears:
Of course… Crystal Tears debuted in 2006 with Choirs Of Immortal. It went quite well in the european underground metal scene dare I say :). It was followed by Generation X, which was our first effort with serious collaborations in the production line, label, line-up etc. And after a few changes, here we are, celebrating our 3rd release, under a new label-home & a new line-up, sounding more fresh than ever!
Time For Metal / Heike L.:
Even though we have modern ways of communication, I could imagine that a collaboration between people from Greece, Hungary and Denmark may be quite difficult from time to time, especially when it comes to common dates like fotoshooting etc. How do you manage that?
Crystal Tears:
Well, not exactly… Of course it takes good planning, but if you like order, it just gives you pleasure. Each time we are getting gathered, we always try to do essential stuff, like recordings, photosessions, videoclips etc. & of course party too. If you stay focused & you’re dealing with easy-going partners, you can easily do lots of things. So, it’s not that difficult in that sense. Of course, it might get difficult to organise your schedule in the first place, but it can get hard anyways, even if you’re a band living on the same city.
Time For Metal / Heike L.:
You had many changes in the line-up, especially the singer changed on every album. Isn’t it quite difficult to fit in a new person into an existing group so often?
Crystal Tears:
Yes, it is! I know that we’re not the first nor the last ones to change singers in the first albums. But I guess most of the times it’s a matter of experience… First album we were naive dare I say, second album was our first attempt to do something more serious, well, third album… we took our time & we worked quite wiser this time. Third albums are always crucial for a band I think… It took us a while to implement, but the result saved us much „time“ in a different sense, if you know what I mean! And that’s what counts to me!
Time For Metal / Heike L.:
Also the record company changed from album to album. Did you make this decision, maybe because you didn’t get enough assistance or the former record company wanted too much influence on your music?
Crystal Tears:
Haha… no! Both labels we worked with have been excellent partners! They wanted the best for the band and they did anything they could to support our music. Always in their capabilities of course. Massacre is a total different thing, it’s one of the strongest metal labels worldwide, I’m so proud we’re working together now… I’ve been a fan since many years now – looots of the albums I owe come from Massacre’s roster… :)!
Time For Metal / Heike L.:
How did you find R.D. Liapakis as a producer right from the first album on? Did you already know him before?
Crystal Tears:
That takes me back a while… I once received an e-mail telling me who he was, well, of course I knew about him – anyways, we spoke on the phone, chated & ended co-operating, but apart from that we also ended being good friends! It’s always a pleasure to catch up with him! Business-wise he is a workaholic, always with fresh ideas, very helpful to the bands he produces. He can stretch you out, but it’s to the band’s benefit of course, he knows how to bring that 100% out of you :). And what’s most important to me, Prophecy & Music Factory studios makes us sound differently each time, they don’t repeat themselves.
Time For Metal / Heike L.:
Who had the idea to ask Lew Temple to do the teaser for Hellmade? And how did you proceed with him? Was it difficult to satisfy him to do this teaser?
Crystal Tears:
Well, I’m lately into The Walking Dead series… hehe… And while I had that idea for our new album’s trailer to have someone narrating the lines on the screen, I thought, hey… that guy that plays Axel… why not give it a try…? I also digged Lew more & he’s a kick-ass character! I contacted his management, they said Lew liked the idea & the album & next day I received an e-mail by Lew himself… That simple & easy! We feel so happy, lucky & proud about it! Lew is a generous rocker!
Time For Metal / Heike L.:
When I look on your facebook-page it seems that you are very busy since the beginning of 2012. Is there any free time to relax and to spend with friends and family?
Crystal Tears:
Hahaha… thanks for the comment! Yes, we’ve been quite busy last year! Especially last few months with the album release it’s been quite crazy with interviews, reviews, release parties in north Greece etc. But IT’S FUN!!! And yeah, true indeed, not too much for a life on a personal level, but if you are well-organised in your life, you can find a balance I guess…
Time For Metal / Heike L.:
Are there any other concerts or shows during some festivals planned apart from the release parties in Greece?
Crystal Tears:
Yes! We’re on a European tour with MYSTIC PROPHECY mid October! We’re so eager about it! Hopefully soon enough we will annouce specific dates & venues! So eager to bring „Hellmade“ on the road & do it with our friends too like Lia, Laki etc. one big family, yeah!
Time For Metal / Heike L.:
Is there anything you want to say to the readers?
Crystal Tears:
Thank you so much for your time, I truly hope you give a chance to Hellmade & support heavy metal in general, bands, online magazines & everyone involved to get the music out there!
Time For Metal / Heike L.:
Thanks again and all the best to you.
Crystal Tears:
Thank you’s so much kind :)!