Interviews: Crystal Gates

This is a new interview with the Power Metal/Symphonic Metal band Crystal Gates from Latvia. Check out the interview and follow the band on his FACEBOOK PAGE. 

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or came out just like that?

The first song we ever recorded was a cover version of “Gates of Dawn” from the Norwegian project “Secret Garden”, which I admire and listen to a lot. I thought that using “Gates” in our name would be somewhat meaningful since Secret Garden was such a huge inspiration at that time too. After thinking a bit I came up with “Crystal Gates”, it evoked some power metal imagery and it kept the reference!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Power metal is the genre that I love the most, and I more than deciding about it, it’s what comes out of me!

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

No. We met with Caro and on that same day we decided to record some covers together, and then it evolved into Crystal Gates. The rest of the members joined after “A Quest For Life” was finished, or close to being finished. There were some lineup changes at the beginning, but then we’ve been very stable since our first show in 2015, with the exception of our bass player, that joined later on. He was the only one I did know from many years before when we played in Ecliptica. Good times!

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Benjamín: Nightwish, Avantasia, Symphony X

Guillermo: Angra

Gaston: Iron Maiden, Celesty

Caro: Epica, After Forever, Therion, Tchaikovsky

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

It’s hard to say. A broken heart is always good for writing. Loneliness too. It’s hard to write good music when you are too happy, at least for me. I also know that I need to be focused on writing and not be limited by time, so a full free weekend usually comes in handy.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was a long time ago, sadly, on the 15th of June of 2019 in Lima, Perú. It was a very cool one, with our friends from Fallen Symmetry and Nautiluz (both great bands, check them out!). After that, we focused on the album, and then the pandemic hit.

7. Where would you like to act?

Everywhere! But our main goal now is to get to play live here in Europe to get new people to see us, and hopefully make some new fans and friends.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

It’s a hard question because then the live situation becomes tricky. If it were not for that, I would love to have Tobias Sammet, Jens Johansson, Tony Kakko. I don’t know, I would be happy to work with any of my idols from the “golden era” of power metal.

9. Who not?

Haha, even trickier. Anyone that does growling vocals. We will never have that in Crystal Gates. I listen to it, but it doesn’t fit us.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Not really, luckily. My advice is always to try to have fun, and if in a real panic, you can always try to look at the back of the room and avoid looking at people’s faces. Most of all, remember, the stage is your moment, what you’ve always wanted, even if it’s hard, you’ve got to do it, and kill it!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Nightwish, Avantasia, Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, Kamelot, Angra, Symphony X, and a lot more, but those are huge for me. Also Secret Garden evokes some really nice feelings that have turned into song ideas.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Nothing too weird so far. All good and regular stuff.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We love the people that support us. The fact that there is someone out there that has been touched by our songs in some way is one of the most meaningful things that can happen to us. You know that when you have been affected and inspired so deeply by music yourself. I cherish that.

14. What do you think of our site?

I think that BTC is doing a great and very important job promoting artists like us. In a time where the music industry is so challenging, having people devoted to showing new bands to the world in such a complete and well-designed manner is crucial. Thank you!

15. Something to add?

Thanks again for inviting us to this interview. And to everyone out there: go listen to our upcoming singles and album, if you liked our previous releases, you’re going to love “Torment & Wonder: The Ways of the Lonely Ones”. Cheers!