Right now, we’re really enjoying the release of our album No Return and taking in all the positive feedback we’ve received so far. At the same time, we’re working on organizing live performances to bring the album to our fans and share it with as many people as possible. We’re excited to hit the stage and connect with the audience in new ways.
Would
you please introduce your band to our readers who are not aware of your music?
Absolutely! Cripta Blue is a power trio where each of us channels our musical influences freely, creating an alchemy that defies set boundaries. Our sound brings together elements of heavy blues, psychedelia, doom, stoner, and spontaneous jam sessions, making each performance unique.
Could
you give us a little insight into the formation of the band? When and how did
it happen?
The idea
for Cripta Blue came to life in 2019, when Federico and Silvio united with a
shared vision and a burning desire to create something raw and unique. We began
piecing together some initial ideas, but it was the chaos and isolation of the
2020 lockdown that sparked a fire within us that we never expected. In a time
when the world seemed to come to a standstill, we felt an overwhelming need to
create. That’s when we decided to record our first album—a statement of our
existence in a world that was shifting beneath our feet.
As time
went on, the band evolved. By the summer of 2022, Alessandro joined, completing
the lineup and providing the final piece we needed to truly define our sound.
That November, we recorded Rather with the Devil, driven by the need to assert
our identity and explore new musical territories. By then, we had already
discovered the powerful synergy and chemistry between us—a bond that laid the
foundation for the ideas that would later become No Return.
We believe No Return isn’t just an album; it’s the beginning of something much larger. It marks the start of a new creative cycle, one that we’re excited to continue exploring, growing, and sharing with the music community.
At
what age did you guys start playing instruments, and since when have you been
into metal music?
Alessandro
- I started playing at 10, and I got into metal right after, once I discovered
Black Sabbath.
Federico – I picked up the guitar at 15, deeply inspired by Jimmy Page and bands like Rush, who ignited my passion for music. I learned by ear, letting those influences shape my style into what it is today. My first encounter with heavier music came at 11, when I received a copy of Master of Puppets as a gift. That album opened the door to Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and a lifelong love for metal that has defined me ever since.
Cripta
Blue recently released No Return. Could you tell us something about it and walk
us through all the track's lyrics and meanings?
No Return explores the darker side of human nature and the internal struggle against it. This theme actually began in our 2023 EP, Rather with the Devil. The last verse of the song “Figure in Black” hints at this: “getting back home, I thought I was alone, watched the shadow on the ground, double figure but none around.” No Return builds on this with a deeper realization of an irreversible confrontation, touching on themes like temptation, deceptive pleasures, pain, a cursed pact, desert landscapes, and the powerful pull of the moon.
How
has the response been so far from listeners?
The response has been fantastic! There was a rush for pre-orders, and we’ve seen a lot of buzz online with people talking about us. It’s been incredible to see the momentum building and to feel this shift in the right direction. We’re genuinely grateful for all the support and positive feedback—it’s inspiring us to keep pushing forward.
Have
you started working on new songs?
Not just yet, but we’re getting close! We actually have a few ideas sketched out from last year, with riffs and some orchestrations that didn’t make it into Rather with the Devil or No Return. There’s a lot of material we’re excited to revisit. We just need to sit down, find the right mood, and jam it out together. We’re confident that something fresh and powerful will come to life soon.
When and where did you play your first gig?
I think it was in 2021. There were very few opportunities during that time because the uncertainty of the pandemic and the frequent lockdowns in Italy created a difficult situation for the live music scene.
How was the experience of going live for the first time?
I can tell you that the few live shows we managed to play during that period were quite hilarious. I remember one time at a venue where the owner got so excited about the music and the vibe that he jumped on stage with some others, smashing tequila shot glasses on the floor and rallying everyone into a wild party. It felt like a real saloon! Another time, there were people in cowboy hats, creating this funny atmosphere. It was a crazy time, probably fueled by the fact that people had been locked up at home for so long…!
According
to you, what is the secret behind the band's success?
We believe the key to our success lies in the unique chemistry between us and the unpredictability of our music. There’s a special energy that we create together when we play, one that’s not bound by rules or expectations. We’re not afraid to experiment, to explore new sounds, and to let the music evolve in the moment. That sense of spontaneity and authenticity is something that really resonates with our listeners. It’s that raw connection and creative freedom that make our music stand out and keep it fresh, both for us and for our audience.
Have
you ever had an epic fail moment during a gig?
Alessandro: During our last gig, I had a cramp in my right hand during one of the final songs. I play bass with my fingers instead of a pick, so pushing through the pain to finish the set was a real challenge!
If
asked to differentiate Cripta Blue from other psych bands in Italy, how would
you respond?
What sets Cripta Blue apart is the breadth of our musical range. While many psych bands tend to stay within a certain genre or aesthetic, we don’t limit ourselves to one particular style. Our sound is expansive and fluid, blending elements of heavy blues, doom, stoner, and psychedelic rock in a way that creates something fresh and unique. We’re not just about a single sound or vibe—we explore a variety of moods and textures, which gives our music a distinct, evolving quality that stands out in the Italian psych scene.
How
compatible are the band members with each other?
There’s a deep respect between us—we’re like musical brothers, completely in sync. Each of us brings something unique to the table, and that blend creates a strong connection, both musically and personally. We’re 100% in tune with one another, which allows us to experiment freely and trust the creative process, knowing we’re all on the same wavelength.
Which
bands/artists do you draw your influences from, and which are your favorite
local bands?
Our
sound is deeply rooted in the heavy, raw energy of bands like Black Sabbath and
Blue Cheer, combined with the depth and intensity of groups such as Led
Zeppelin and Sleep. Each of these bands has influenced us in different ways.
Sabbath’s dark, iconic riffs set the foundation for our heavy sound, while Blue
Cheer’s psychedelic edge has inspired our more experimental side. Sleep’s
ability to create immersive, hypnotic atmospheres is something we aim to
channel in our own music. We are drawn to music that is both powerful and boundary-pushing,
and these influences have played a key role in shaping the unique sound that we
continue to develop.
As for local bands, there are only a handful that play music similar to ours. We know them and follow their work. Italy, in the '70s, was the second most important country in the world for the Progressive Rock movement, and that era remains a vital part of our cultural identity. We hope to see a new spring with our genre, bringing it back to life with the same passion and energy that made it so impactful decades ago.
How
do you guys manage your jobs and gigs, and how often do you gather altogether
just for fun?
We’re able to manage our commitment to Cripta Blue pretty well for now. Gigs are slowly starting to pick up again, but as I mentioned earlier, we believe that the post-pandemic shift in people’s mindset has impacted live music, and that’s made it a bit more challenging for us to get gigs. Despite that, we continue to meet at least once a week to rehearse. Our sessions often turn into jam sessions, where we bring in new ideas we’ve been working on during the week and try to develop them further. These jam sessions are not just about refining our tracks—they also spark new riffs, fresh ideas, and other fragments that eventually become parts of new songs. What could be more fun than that? When you’re doing something you’re so passionate about, it doesn’t feel like work—it feels like the most exciting thing in the world.
Cripta
Blue is a very promising formation. Looking at your future, where do you see
yourselves in 2 years?
We’re grateful that our music is being recognized as promising. Looking ahead, we hope to have even more material under our belt—new ideas to develop and additional albums recorded. We’d love to continue pushing our boundaries and exploring our human and musical synergy, sharing that with the broader music community. We’ve noticed that in our home country, the market and interest in our kind of music is still quite challenging. However, we’ve found that we’re more appreciated in places like Northern Europe and the United States. Our goal is to refine our ideas and, who knows, maybe take them to the stage in those countries. It’s a tough journey, but dreaming big doesn’t cost a thing, and we’re excited to see where this path takes us.
Well, that’s it. Thanks a lot for your time. Could you speak out to all your fans and supporters?
Thank
you so much for your time and unwavering support! To all our amazing fans and
supporters, we can't thank you enough for being part of this incredible journey
with us. Your enthusiasm means the world to us. Keep spreading the word, keep
supporting music that moves you – we've got so much more to share.