Crystal Viper's Marta Gabriel Returns with Leatherwitch, A New Speed Metal Project

Few figures in modern traditional heavy metal have built a reputation as respected as Marta Gabriel, the driving force behind Crystal Viper for more than two decades. Formed in Katowice, Poland, the band emerged in the early 2000s from Gabriel’s passion for classic heavy metal. In those early years she even performed under the stage name “Leather Wych,” a detail that now feels like an interesting prelude to the name of her new project, Leatherwitch.

Before releasing their own material, Crystal Viper first appeared on several tribute albums honoring influential metal acts. Among their earliest recordings were covers of songs originally performed by W.A.S.P., Cirith Ungol, Manilla Road, Angel Witch and Warlock, a selection that clearly reflected the band’s musical DNA and deep respect for the genre’s roots.

Their debut album, The Curse of Crystal Viper, arrived in 2007 and quickly established the band as a rising force within the traditional heavy metal revival. Over the years that followed, the group expanded its discography with releases such as Metal Nation, Legends, Crimen Excepta and Possession, combining classic metal songwriting with themes inspired by mythology, history and dark fantasy.

As the band’s reputation grew, Crystal Viper appeared at major European festivals including Wacken Open Air, Hellfest and Keep It True, building an international following that embraced their commitment to old-school heavy metal values. Albums like Queen of the Witches, Tales of Fire and Ice, The Cult and The Silver Key continued to reinforce the band’s place within the global traditional metal scene.

Throughout those years, Marta Gabriel remained the central figure behind the project, not only as vocalist but also as a multi-instrumentalist who frequently contributed bass and guitar parts in the studio. Her dedication to classic heavy metal aesthetics and storytelling helped shape the band’s identity across more than two decades of recordings and tours.

In 2025, however, the journey of Crystal Viper reached its final chapter when the band announced its disbandment after the release of the live album The Live Quest. For many fans, the news marked the end of one of the most consistent modern representatives of traditional European heavy metal.

Yet for Marta Gabriel, the end of one band opened the door to a new creative direction. Rather than stepping away from heavy metal, she chose to channel that experience into a fresh project that embraces the faster, more aggressive side of the genre. That vision now takes shape with the emergence of Leatherwitch.

At the center of this new venture stands the band’s first single, “Beast Inside”, a track built on the raw momentum of classic speed metal. Driven by sharp riffing, pounding rhythms and powerful vocal lines, the song captures the straightforward energy that has long defined the foundations of heavy metal.

The single is scheduled for release on April 23 and will also appear as a limited 7-inch vinyl edition, a format that continues to hold special appeal among collectors and fans of traditional metal.

The music surrounding “Beast Inside” moves with relentless drive, blending galloping riffs with energetic drumming and soaring guitar leads. The recording also features contributions from musicians connected to the broader European metal scene, including mixing work by Olof Wikstrand of Enforcer and guest guitar appearances from Giuseppe Taormina, known for his work with Ellende and as a former member of Crystal Viper.

For listeners who followed the journey of Crystal Viper, the arrival of Leatherwitch represents a natural continuation of the spirit that defined the band’s legacy. The commitment to traditional heavy metal remains unmistakable, but the sound now leans more heavily toward the speed metal intensity that helped shape the genre during its formative years.

With Leatherwitch, Marta Gabriel proves once again that the enduring strength of heavy metal still lies in its simplest elements: powerful riffs, passionate performances and music created with genuine devotion to the genre’s roots.

Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist

Related Rockum Stories:

Iron Maiden Return to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ballot as Past Bruce Dickinson Comments Resurface

Carlos Santana, Santana Band and Abraxas: The Latin Sound That Found Its Place in American Rock

Rob Zombie, White Zombie and the Dark Road to The Great Satan