Kryptan is an atmospheric black metal band from Avesta, Sweden. Founded in early 2020, right at the beginning of the global pandemic, Kryptan took shape to embody the passion for black metal that songwriter and guitarist Mattias “Kryptan” Norrman harboured for decades.
A familiar face in the scene, Mattias, who is most recognized for playing guitar in October Tide and previously bass in Katatonia, has long striven for his very own musical endeavour. Fans may be surprised to find the musician associating with a style of extreme metal other than death or doom, but Mattias reveals:
“I never got to play black metal in a band before, and it was clear that if I was going to start my own band it would be exactly that. Seeing how black metal has influenced and fascinated me all this time, the music wrote itself.”
As for the timing, he muses that it might have been the abundance of free time during the pandemic that finally pushed him to bring his ideas to life. Heavily inspired by the 90s era of Norwegian and Swedish black metal, life and the crushing darkness of Swedish winters, he created enthralling songs bursting with sinister energy and craftsmanship. Kryptan aim to take listeners back in time and celebrate a glorious musical legacy in a contemporary fashion.
The band was completed by fellow October Tide member Alexander Högbom on vocals and Samuel Karlstrand of Wretched Fate on drums.
Four songs for a first release were recorded with Mats Andersson at Glashuset Studio over the course of 2020. Finally, mastered by Thomas “Plec” Johansson at The Panic Room, the self-titled EP was released on the 23rd of July 2021 via Debemur Morti Productions.
Kryptan played their first ever live show at Klubb Slammer in Falun (SE) together with In Mourning and Farsoth on 21st October 2022. The debut live line-up saw Mats Andersson on second guitar and Mikael Hanni on bass.
Since then, multiple live appearances, including a much celebrated show at Gefle Metal Fest, have followed and Samuel left the band. Kryptan is currently supported by live and session members Victor Parri (Valkyrja, Isole) on drums and Mikael Hanni (Disrupted) on bass.
(LP/CD)