1.) To kick things off, tell our audience a bit about the origin story of “LEATHERWITCH” ?
MARTA: Leatherwitch was born from a very natural need for change. After like 20 years
with Crystal Viper, I reached a point where I felt that this chapter of my life was complete. It
wasn’t an easy decision, but it was an honest one. At the same time, I had a lot of new ideas
that didn’t really fit into the identity of that band anymore. Instead of forcing them into
something they weren’t meant to be, I decided to start from the scratch: without expectations,
without history, just pure instinct. That’s how Leatherwitch came to life. It’s a new beginning
for me, both musically and personally.
2.) Who took the lead on the lyrics for the song “Walls of Jericho / Ride the Sky” and what was
the spark that brought that track to life?
MARTA: I think that’s a question you’d have to ask the original authors: this is a cover of a
Helloween classic, so the lyrics and the original spark behind the song belong entirely to
them…
3.) If you had to describe the band’s “LEATHERWITCH” sound to someone who hasn’t heard you
Yet, what would you say?
MARTA: I would describe it as pure, raw heavy metal. It’s rooted in the classic sound of the
genre, but it’s not about recreating the past. I wanted it to feel old-school in spirit, but at the
same time sound modern and alive, like something that belongs to today, that isn’t a copy of
something from decades ago. It’s very direct, very instinctive, and very honest.
4.) How has the songwriting evolved for the album ”First Spell”? What does that process look
like for you lately?
MARTA: Sometimes I hear a complete song in my head, with melody, structure, even
atmosphere, and the only thing I need to do is sit down in the studio and record it. That’s
something I really embraced with ”Leatherwitch” What made this album special is that I
recorded everything myself in my private studio. So the moment a song was finished in my
head, it was already ready to become a part of the album. There was no gap between
composing and recording, it was one continuous process.
5.) What are some of the recurring themes or messages you find yourself exploring in your
lyrics?
MARTA: It’s a mix of classic heavy metal themes and very personal experiences. There are
songs inspired by imagination, atmosphere or even literature, but there are also very real,
personal stories behind some of the lyrics. Emotions, situations from my life, things I
experienced over the last months: all of that found its way into the album. I didn’t want to
limit myself to one direction. I just wrote what felt natural at that moment.
6.) The cover art for First Spell is striking, who was the creative mind behind that vision?
MARTA: The artwork was painted by Mario López -an artist I’ve worked with before –
based on Barts idea (Bart Gabriel: my producer and manager, and my husband in private
life). I really like his style, because it captures perfectly that classic heavy metal aesthetic, but
at the same time feels very detailed and alive.
7.) Do you find your energy translates better in an intimate club venue or a massive festival
setting? Also, which show stands out as your all-time favorite?
MARTA: Both have their own unique energy, and I really enjoy both in different ways. In a
club, everything feels very close and intense, you can see people’s reactions immediately,
there’s a direct connection. Festivals are different, bigger, more explosive, with a completely
different kind of atmosphere. It’s hard for me to pick one favorite show, because every
concert has something special about it. The best moments are usually those where you feel a
real connection with the audience, regardless of the size of the stage.
8.) Who are the inspirational artists that actually made you want to pick up an instrument and
play?
MARTA: It was a combination of many different influences. When I was a child, I saw a
symphonic orchestra on TV and said to my parents, “I want to play!”, so they signed me up
for music school when I was 7 years old, and that’s when I started playing piano. Later on, I
began exploring other instruments on my own: guitar, bass, and eventually drums. I didn’t
approach them as separate paths, but rather as tools that would allow me to compose and
record my own music. That was always my main goal.
9.) If you could sit down and collaborate with any artist or band right now, who would be at
the top of your list?
MARTA: Mike Oldfield, Freddie Mercury, and Glenn Tipton!
10.) What’s the current pulse of the metal scene from your perspective?
MARTA: I think the scene is very diverse right now. There are many different directions,
styles and approaches, which is something positive. At the same time, I feel that authenticity
becomes more and more important, because people can easily recognize when something is
real and when it’s not, and I feel the audience appreciate when you’re doing something real,
when you’re true at heart. For me personally, I always focus on doing my own thing, without
trying to follow trends.
11.) Are there any endorsements or gear brands you’re currently working with that you’d like
to shout out?
MARTA: I’m endorsed by ESP/LTD guitars, and I keep on playing their guitars for years
now! I also really like using KHDK guitar pedals, as well as Tech21 bass gear.
12.) What does the tour calendar look like? Any big shows or festivals we should be marking
down?
MARTA: We already have confirmed shows, including a tour with Fifth Angel, so things are
definitely moving forward. This is just the beginning, and I’m really excited to bring this
music to the stage and see how it connects with people live. More dates will be announced
soon.
13.) Where’s the best place for fans to keep up with you and dive into your community online?
MARTA: The best place is definitely social media, that’s where I share all updates, news and
announcements. It’s also a good way to stay in direct contact with fans, which I really
appreciate. So make sure you are following Marta Gabriel and Leatherwitch on both
Instagram and Facebook,!
