Infivictims :: KRYPTOS: Drastic Imagery
By The Ironman 
They said no Indian band could compose and record “real”, “quality” heavy music. They said that even if a band did manage to do that (against all odds), it wouldn’t sell in India, and surely, no international label wants to sign an Indian band, now, does it?
It’s not like this is a science, people.
Kryptos, with their debut album release ‘Spiral Ascent’ have done all the seemingly “impossible” things listed above. They composed and recorded an album full of no less than 10 good metal songs [released in August 2004, with a (ahem) hilarious “hidden” track], they sold it in India, and now have been signed to a string of some well-known international metal labels — and apparently, the band is doing quite well, sales-wise. I caught up with vocalist Jack, for a brief, exclusive interview…
Your album ‘Spiral Ascent’ is being sold on a lot of well known international labels. How did this come about? What labels are ‘Spiral Ascent’ signed to?
Yeah, ‘Spiral Ascent’ is doing well. Really well actually. The albums on four excellent, extreme [music] labels. Cursed Productions, Beowolf Productions, Blood Bucket Productions and the oh-so-kvlt End Records .
Riju Ray. He’s the one man whos responsible for all this. I mean, this guy is the biggest supporter of Metal I know of. And when it comes to Indian Metal he supports the scene with increased fervor. Danke Herr Ray! Uber Kegs of beer for you!
How do you feel about Kryptos being signed to these record labels?
We feel delirious, we feel ecstatic! I mean, we are sold alongside the Dark Tranquillitys, the Nevermores, the Green Carnations, etc of the world that itself sort of gives us the feeling we are doing something right. I mean, these labels dont distribute any Tom, Dick and Harry! Only bands with integrity and bands that know what they are doing get onto such labels. However, having said that, we have a long way to go. And its only getting better by the day.
What is the promotion effort like by these labels, considering you’re not really a popular band internationally?
Well, these labels have their mailing lists, so thats one extensive promotion method. They are also associated with webzines where they do some press releases and stuff. These “minute” efforts have been good enough considering the sales that we’ve had. Incidentally, maximummetal.com has voted Kryptos one of five bands to look out for this year! So thats even more encouraging.
What have the sales been like (internationally, through those labels, and in India)?
Sales have been encouraging sometimes, sometimes not. We have sold mostly in Europe and the States. Sales in India haven’t been too hot, but not disappointing either (around 400-500). Well soon be breaching the 1,500 mark (internationally), and thats, again, encouraging.
Can you tell us more about your upcoming album? How many songs scheduled to be on the album, what is it going to be called, what songs are already done, what are they about?
The upcoming album! ‘Drastic Imagery’, working title of course, is coming along just fine. Should be out September/October 2006, give or take a month. So far we have managed to complete 2 songs (“Liquid Grave” and “Order of the DNA”). The skeletal frameworks of 3 other songs have been figured out. They are “Trapped in Dali” (a narration of an odd surrealistic nightmare I had, the nightmare itself being influenced by the works of Salvador Dali), “Serpent Harvest” (soon the world will be ruled by Serpent Gods who were created by men. Watch out! What you create will destroy!) and theres “The Caustic Shell” (this is a song about fighting self-imposed, self-created boundaries, based on the thought “not to consider I am this is freedom”). The music, like always, does justice to the content of the song. They are all so far melodic, well paced, and do justice to the Holy Pint o Beer, so we are yet again on the right track!
I’ve wondered, what is the philosophy behind the ‘not to consider “I am this” is freedom’? The line was in the inlay of ‘Spiral Ascent’ as well…
Where do I start?
Anywhere you want.
Human Beings have always restricted themselves by imposing stipulations over themselves. I am so-and-so. Period. And that thought restricts them to being a so-and-so. Such persons are not complete. If you ask me, as living apparitions we are only complete when we understand what we know, and we will to understand what we don’t.
So, when the album is out, why, according to you, should people buy it? And do you have any final comments?
Why should people buy the album? Because anyone who knows their metal has a copy, and of course, anyone who knows their penis from the genitals has a copy.
Ummm… all these last words are all overrated, man. Err… buy the album, drink beer, stay metal!
You can visit the Krpytos website at www.kryptos.net, and feel free to e-mail the band at kryptos@beer.com.
