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Photo provided by: Bart Gabriel
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Some musicians are defined by a single style, a single sound, or a single era. Then there are the rare artists who possess the uncanny ability to evolve—not just to dabble in another genre, but to master it, make it their own, and move seamlessly between styles. This kind of adaptability is more than technical skill; it’s vision, intuition, and a deep understanding of music as a living, breathing language.
Evolving across genres requires more than learning new chords or techniques. It demands an artist to immerse themselves in the essence of a style—its rhythms, tone, cultural roots, and emotional core. A blues guitarist venturing into jazz, a metal singer exploring doom, or a pop artist diving into electronic production must internalize what makes each genre authentic while still bringing their unique voice to it. The successful ones don’t just mimic—they translate their own artistry into the new context, creating music that is both familiar and strikingly fresh.
History offers countless examples. Prince effortlessly moved from funk to rock to pop to jazz, never losing his distinct identity. David Bowie reinvented himself repeatedly, moving from glam rock to soul, electronic, and experimental music. Marta Gabriel, frontwoman of Crystal Viper, spans traditional heavy metal, power metal, doom-inspired rock, and tribute projects with equal conviction, proving that genre boundaries are opportunities for exploration, not limitations.
This kind of versatility also fuels longevity. Artists who evolve remain relevant because they adapt to changing tastes, technologies, and cultural shifts. More than survival, it’s about growth: each genre explored enhances the artist’s vocabulary, informs future creations, and deepens their expressive power. Improvisation, cross-genre collaboration, and an openness to experimentation become crucial tools in this process, allowing musicians to navigate unfamiliar musical terrain confidently.
Ultimately, the ability to evolve across genres is a testament to an artist’s curiosity, discipline, and fearlessness. It reflects a mindset that music is infinite and fluid—a medium not confined by labels but enriched by them. The artists who succeed in this rare skill don’t just cross genres; they expand them, leaving listeners with something unexpected, exciting, and entirely their own.
Our focus on artist Marta Gabriel. She has agreed to interview with Guitar Thrills Magazine for the January issue.
ABOUT MARTA GABRIEL
Marta Gabriel is a Polish heavy-metal singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. Best known as the founder and longtime frontwoman of Crystal Viper, a power/speed-metal band she started in 2006, Gabriel has established herself as a versatile and dynamic force in modern metal. Beyond vocals, she plays guitar, bass, and keyboards on many recordings, showcasing her broad musical skill set and commitment to her craft.
Since Crystal Viper’s debut in 2007 with The Curse of Crystal Viper, the band has released nine full-length albums. Their sound blends classic heavy metal, power metal, and speed-metal influences with melodic songwriting and dramatic vocals. Gabriel’s songwriting often draws on mythology, horror-inspired imagery, and fantastical storytelling, creating a distinctive narrative-driven approach that sets the band apart.
In addition to her work with Crystal Viper, Gabriel has pursued solo and side projects. In 2021, she released Metal Queens, a tribute album honoring iconic female metal and hard rock vocalists from the 1980s, reimagining classics with her own voice and vision. She also formed Moon Chamber, exploring a doom/rock-inspired sound on their debut release Lore of the Land (2019), demonstrating her ability to adapt and evolve across genres.
Gabriel has contributed to numerous other projects and collaborations, performing or recording with bands such as Jack Starr’s Burning Starr, Manilla Road, Vader, Majesty, and Witch Cross. Her multi-instrumental skills, combined with a classically trained background in piano, allow her to approach music holistically — developing songs from piano sketches to full compositions with layered instruments and vocals. Her powerful and dynamic voice is central to her identity, capable of both melodic nuance and metal-style intensity. Whether leading a full-throttle metal performance with Crystal Viper or a doom-tinged piece with Moon Chamber, Gabriel conveys emotion, narrative, and energy with remarkable conviction. She has also become a prominent figure for women in metal, leading her projects with strength, authenticity, and creativity in a male-dominated scene.
Marta Gabriel: A Guitarist’s Voice Through Metal and Beyond
While Marta Gabriel is widely celebrated as a powerhouse vocalist, her guitar work and compositional skills are equally compelling. For Guitar Thrills readers, what makes her stand out is her multi-instrumental mastery and genre versatility—from shredding riffs in Crystal Viper’s speed-metal anthems to weaving doom-inspired textures in Moon Chamber. She doesn’t just play guitar; she crafts musical narratives, shaping riffs, solos, and harmonies that complement her vocals while driving the energy of each song.
Technically, Gabriel balances precision and raw emotion. Her solos are fluent, melodic, and expressive, often bending notes with the same dramatic intensity she brings to her vocal lines. Her rhythm work is tight and dynamic, grounding complex arrangements while allowing for improvisation and interplay with other instruments. Guitarists watching her live or studying her recordings can learn from her ability to transition effortlessly between power-metal gallops, heavy doom grooves, and melodic harmonics, all while maintaining cohesion and emotional impact.
But what truly sets Marta apart is her musical vision. She approaches guitar as a storytelling tool rather than just a means to showcase technique. Each riff or chord progression is carefully considered, enhancing the narrative of the song, building tension, and emphasizing mood. Combined with her stage presence, she demonstrates how guitarists can transcend traditional roles—becoming not just accompanists but integral architects of a band’s sound and identity.
In short, Marta Gabriel embodies the modern multi-faceted musician: a singer, composer, and guitarist who fuses technical skill with artistic intent. For guitar enthusiasts, her work is a lesson in versatility, emotional phrasing, and the power of letting the guitar tell the story alongside the voice.ode or bypass type) and try alternate connections (mono guitar cable vs TRS/FRFR combo).
INTERVIEW WITH MARTA GABRIEL AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: How did your journey as a guitarist begin alongside your role as a vocalist?
Marta: My journey with music started very early, I was six or seven when, at my own request, my parents enrolled me in a music school. Not many people know that piano is my first and main instrument. Every song I compose is born at the piano first. I picked up guitar and bass for the first time in my twenties: I already had Crystal Viper and was composing a lot, but I often felt that my musical ideas weren’t fully understood by the musicians around me. So, I decided to learn guitar and bass myself, simply to be able to create everything from A to Z. I learned both instruments by working directly on my own songs - arranging them, recording demos, and experimenting. At some point, I became confident enough to record guitars and bass in the studio and perform with them live. And today, besides my own projects, I also work as a session musician - both live and in the studio - supporting other artists as a keyboardist, guitarist, or bassist. And just to keep life interesting, I’ve recently started learning playing drums as well.
Guitar Thrills: Do you approach guitar differently when composing versus performing live?
Marta: On stage, emotions come first - adrenaline, energy, freedom. I love letting loose with the instrument and feeding off the crowd. In the studio, it’s a completely different mindset. Precision and accuracy are everything there. There’s no room for running around with a guitar behind your head in the studio - unfortunately! (laughs)
Guitar Thrills: How do you balance technical skill and emotional expression in your riffs and solos?
Marta: That balance can’t really be planned. In the studio, a lot of it happens very spontaneously, for example, when I record riffs, I love playing with articulation and dynamics. Quite often, something born out of pure experimentation turns out much better than what I originally had in my head.
Guitar Thrills: Crystal Viper, Moon Chamber, and your solo work span multiple genres—how does your guitar style adapt to each?
Marta: For me, the key is simple: play what you love. If you enjoy the music you’re writing or performing - whether it’s your own band or a session gig - the style adapts naturally. You don’t have to force it. The guitar finds its place on its own.
Guitar Thrills: Which guitarists or musical influences shaped you’re playing style the most?
Marta: Honestly, my band - Crystal Viper! That’s where I’ve learnt how to play guitar and bass guitar. Many times, in the past, while recording new riffs, I found myself working on parts that were clearly beyond my current technical level. But I had a clear idea in my head, and I wanted to make it real. So, I sat there with a guitar or bass until it finally worked. My method was simple, time consuming, but effective: I’d set the metronome to 50% of the target tempo, make sure everything was solid, then increase it by 5 BPM step by step until I reached the final speed. As for other influences, I’ve always loved Glenn Tipton’s playing in Judas Priest, as well as Mike Oldfield’s guitar tone and musical atmosphere.
Guitar Thrills: Can you describe your process for writing riffs or solos that complement your vocal lines?
Marta: The song is always fully formed in my headfirst. I hear the vocal melodies, the riffs, the structure - everything. Then I just must sit down and record it. It may sound strange, but I compose when I’m doing “nothing”. Someone might think I’m just sitting on the couch, staring out the window - but that’s exactly when a new song is being written in my head. Then I record ideas on a voice memo, and once the whole song is clear in my mind, I move into the studio. I never sit down to compose with an empty head - I simply don’t work that way.
Guitar Thrills: Do you have a favorite guitar, tone, or setup that you rely on in the studio or live shows?
Marta: Yes. In the studio, I love recording with my LTD MH-350FR guitar and my LTD Surveyor ’87 bass. On stage, I’m completely in love with V-shaped guitars. Recently, my husband surprised me with something truly special: a V-shaped ESP Edwards bass in ivory color. I’d been dreaming about that bass for years. Can’t wait to try in on stage!
Guitar Thrills: How important is improvisation or spontaneity in your guitar playing during live performances?
Marta: I don’t improvise live. When I’m playing and singing at the same time, everything has to be perfectly structured - otherwise I’d completely drown in my own chaos.
Guitar Thrills: Have there been moments when a guitar part completely transformed a song while you were composing it?
Marta: There’s a Crystal Viper song, “Prophet of the End” that was originally meant to be a fast, double-kick power metal track. But when I started working on it with a guitar in my hands, a heavier and more grounded riffs flowed from my fingers, which transformed the song completely. In the end, it became an epic metal ballad.
Guitar Thrills: What advice would you give to aspiring guitarists who want to be versatile across genres while maintaining their own voice?
Marta: My advice is simple: play only the music you truly love and enjoy. If you do that, everything else will come naturally - and your own voice will always be there.
CONCLUSION
Marta Gabriel is more than a powerhouse vocalist—she is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and guitarist whose versatility across genres sets her apart in the metal world. Her guitar work demonstrates not only technical mastery but a deep sense of musical storytelling, blending riffs, solos, and harmonies that complement her voice while driving the emotional core of each song. For guitarists, her career is a lesson in adaptability, expression, and the power of letting an instrument speak alongside the voice. Marta Gabriel proves that true artistry comes from the seamless fusion of skill, vision, and the courage to explore multiple musical landscapes.
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