Cryptic Tales

Contact: cryptictales@interia.pl Guitarist Piotr Kopko and drummer Jarosław Maciuszek formed the band in Przemyśl in 1989 – bassist Irus joined them shortly afterwards. They were formerly known as Tanatos, but soon changed their name to Cryptic Tales. Christophe Szpajdel designed the band-logo. This first line-up soon started working on a demo, yet one day before recording the new songs Irus presented his resignation. Witold Zawadzki took bass duties, while a second guitarist, Dariusz Gibalewicz was incorporated. Kopko then handled guitar and lead vocal duties. In March 1991, this new formation entered the WDK Studio in their home city, recording the debut demo The Sign Of The Southern Cross . Mariusz Kmiołek from Carnage Records liked the tape and offered the band a record deal. On 28th July, the band appeared at the Shark Attack ’91 festival. In November, the group entered the Studio 8 in Gdynia to record a new demo entitled Anathema , introducing a death/doom sound. The cassette was eventually released in March 1993 with considerable delay, as the original DAT tapes were lost so the group had to return to the studio and mix it all over again. In May 1994, they entered the Studio 8 in Gdynia again, recording 45 minutes of new material, sticking to the death/doom style of the previous demo but introducing elements from '60s psychedelic music. Although due to problems with the equipment and financial limitations, the band excluded 3 of the songs. Flutist Włodek Tuz was then added, also playing contrabass. Zawadzki quit after the recording sessions, replaced by Mateusz Bernardyn . The EP entitled Valley Of Dolls was released through Gamma in Poland and other 4 different labels in Western Europe. On July 23rd, the group appeared at the S'thrash'ydle festival. In May 1996, they entered the SPAART Studio in Boguchwała to record their debut album The Tales , featuring 11 songs of gothic/doom metal. They excluded flute and double-bass on the record, unable to reproduce those sounds live – Tuz was given his walking papers. Croon Records (former Gamma ) released the album, while Portuguese label Danger Records reissued on CD Valley Of Dolls and the new record. Editor of the fanzine Sthrashna Thrashka Piotr Popiel was introduced as new manager. In 1997, Awaken Production released The Tales on CD in Europe – the band did a series of concerts in Poland and Germany at the time. Gibalewicz left the band that same year, replaced by Maciej Motyka . On 27th September, the group appeared at the Vox Mortiis Festival in Warsaw. In 1998, Kopko decided to leave, dissatisfied with the musical direction of the band. The rest of group members eventually split-up. In 1999, Kopko, Maciuszek and Bernardyn intended to reactivate Cryptic Tales, bringing back the original death/doom style of Anathema but shortly afterwards broke-up again. In 2002, Kopko, Maciuszek and Daniel Maciupa from Bleeding Art reactivated the project again. Kopko wrote 5 new tracks, which never saw the light of day – he later started composing new material at home, using a drum machine and working on a new music style. In November 2005, Kopko, Maciuszek, Bernardyn and second guitarist Jacek Fall from Bleeding Art resurrected the band again – hugely influenced by Emperor . They were offered to do some shows but preferred to work on a new album first. In October 2006, they enter the SPAART Studio in Boguchwała – during the first session, they recorded drum and rhythm guitar tracks. In April 2007, second rhythm guitar, solos and bass tracks were recorded. In the meantime, keyboardist Bartłomiej Filipiński was incorporated. In July, vocals were added, along with acoustic and keyboard tracks, as originally arranged by Kopko. In December, the band mixed the new material. The new material was mastered at Studio Hertz and eventually released as VII Dogmata Of Mercy through Empire Records in February 2008, on which the group embraced a black/death sound. A video was made for “Towards Modern Darkness”. On January 25th 2009 at the Loch Ness Club in Krakow, the band shared stage with Samael . The group did a series of shows during that month at the Sing Sing Club in their home city the 29th, the Vinyl Club in Rzeszow the 30th and the Underworld Club in Krakow the 31st. In August, Jacek Fall left due to personal reasons. In September, new guitarist Adam Dryś from Underdark , who previously supported the band on its first reunion gig, is introduced. On 30th October, this new formation appears at the Extreme Nights Vol. II, Lublin. In November, they did 2 concerts with Abused Majesty the 27th at the From Dusk to Dawn Club in Rzeszow, and the 28th at the Cobra Club in Katowice. More shows followed in January 2010, the 24th at the Rotunda Club celebrating the 10th anniversary of the band. In February, they started working on new material in the studio. On 22nd May, the band played the United Titans Festival in Krakow. On June 13th they appear at the Cave Club in Przemyśl, featuring Lobo . Bernardyn and Filipiński refuse to play the Warmia Underground show in Olsztyn, the 27th September. The band took the stage without a keyboardist, with Lobo taking bass duties. Filipiński left the band without giving an explanation. In April 2011, Cryptic Tales entered the SPAART Studio again, working on a new album – a sequel of VII Dogmata Of Mercy , entitled Ancestors Of Conquerors . Line-up consisted on Kopko, Maciuszek and Dryś. In July, bass parts and solos by guests Marcin Nowak and Maciej Gawlik were added. Kopko himself and Drizzt handled keyboard duties. Compilation appearance(s): - "Steeple of the Nightmare" on The Dark Age Compilation Tape One (early '90s, cassette)