Crystal Emiliani – Shieldmaidens of Metal

Elettra Storm are the hottest new power metal band on the scene right now. The Italian group have just released their debut album “Powerlords” through Scarlet Records, and it’s an absolute blast! (you can read our full review here). To top it off, we were lucky to get a little closer to the storm and pose some questions to the band via email. The following is our interview with David Sportiello (Bass, Keyboards) and Crystal Emiliani (Vocals).

For starters, would you mind introducing yourselves and describing your music?

Hi everybody! We are Elettra Storm, a new power metal band hailing from Italy! If you like fast songs, guitar shredding and epic melodies, we are your piece of cake!

How did the idea for Elettra Storm come about? Can you give us a brief background?

Elettra Storm came to my mind during the pandemic. The forced stop of the duties with my other band SinHeresy gave me time to collect some old material and to write new music for a classic power metal project, something I had in mind since I was a teenager. I submitted the material to Scarlet Records, they liked it and here we are!

The single for “Higher Than The Stars” gave us the first taste of your music. What about this song specifically convinced you that it was the right one to use as the initial reveal?

“Higher Than the Stars” has everything you want to hear from a new power metal band. Soaring vocals, crazy leads, thunderous drumming and uplifting lyrics. Every band member gets his spotlight in this song, so it was a natural choice as a first single.

According to a post on your official Facebook page, the video shoot for “Higher Than The Stars” was the first time you had all come together in the same place. Can you describe that moment to us in more detail?

The band members came from different cities in Italy, the technology nowadays allows you to make music even if you are thousands of kilometers away from each other, but gathering all together for the first time was really a memorable moment. We had a tour de force shooting photos and videos in just few days, but we had also a lot of fun and got to know each other better as people, not just as musicians.

If you like fast songs, guitar shredding and epic melodies, we are your piece of cake!
Davide Sportiello

As a follow-up, we’re guessing this means that you each recorded your parts for the debut album separately. Can you explain the production process for “Powerlords”?

Yes, “Powerlords” has been recorded in various studios. First of all the drums at Artesonika Studio, near Venice, then we recorded bass, guitars and keyboards at our home studios, except acoustic guitars, which have been record at Innovation Young in Monfalcone, near Trieste (the same place where we performed our release party!). Vocals at last have been engineered by our own Francis at Skystrings Production, Rome, his own professional studio.

How important was having Simone Mularoni handle the mixing and mastering?

He was our first choice: when you think of power metal productions in Italy, you think about Simone, he really masters this genre! (Even though his studio is in San Marino 😆). He’s also a great human being, very kind and enthusiastic about his job.

Luckily music doesn’t require the musicians to be monogamous, so we’ll continue to work with our other projects, trying to balance the schedules in the best way possible.
Davide Sportiello

What are some of the main influences or inspirations for the songs on the album?

Maybe you can identify two kind of influences in “Powerlords”: the first one is the “teachings” of the masters of the genre in early ’00 like Stratovarius and Rhapsody of Fire, the second one is the modern approach of female fronted bands, especially Unleash the Archers. About the lyrics I like to tell fantastic stories that can be labeled as an evasion from the reality, but underneath there is always a reflection on various aspects of the human condition.

We have to mention the stunning cover artwork for the album that was designed by Beatrice Demori. How much input did you have in this piece? Are we right in thinking that some of you are Stargate fans?

Well, we wanted something flashy that could somehow be interpreted as an invitation to enter the Elettra Storm world. So we gave Beatrice some keywords like “lightning”, “godlike power”, “mythology” and she came up with the idea of the “Stargate” with Crystal as the Keeper waiting for the listener to cross it.

You recently played your first live performance at the release party for your debut album. How do you feel this went? Were there any pre-show nerves?

It was great! We wanted something “intimate” without too much pressure for our live debut (as we did it essentially with no rehearsals because…geography as we explained before) and it was really a great evening. A lot of people came anyway, and we had really good times with the other bands. Of course there’s a lot to improve but we’ll work on it!

What plans or aspirations do you have for the band going forward? Do you think that you will continue to balance Elettra Storm along with your other projects? (SinHeresy, Re:X)

The first goal is to promote “Powerlords” as much as possible, both live and online. There’s been a lot of positive feedbacks so far and this means we are in the right direction. Then later this year we’ll dive into the songwriting of our second album. Luckily music doesn’t require the musicians to be monogamous 😆, so we’ll continue to work with our other projects, trying to balance the schedules in the best way possible.

Crystal, what is it like being in a metal band as opposed to an alternative rock band? Are there any key differences or significant challenges you’ve had to face?

I have sung in my path different genres. I love and appreciate every facet of rock and metal. I don’t try to change the way I sing according to the project but I get carried away by what at that moment the music is asking me.

When did you realise you had such a talent for singing? And at what point did you know that you wanted to sing in the professional sense?

I have always been very critical of what I do artistically and try every day to learn new things to surprise myself and those who listen to me. I decided I wanted to be a singer at 5 anni (ahaha I’m serious) 😆! That was my goal in life. I’ve been studying for a long time and already I teach for several years I sing but believing in your dream really makes a difference. 4 years ago I started to really believe that I could do something bigger and I got a lot of satisfaction by constantly committing myself to writing songs and recording. The music makes me really happy and I’ll thank for every achievement I get!

I don’t try to change the way I sing according to the project but I get carried away by what at that moment the music is asking me.
Crystal Emiliani

Speaking of your professional career, it seems to have been quite varied. Can you briefly discuss some of the other things you have been involved in?

In my life singing has always been sovereign but I have also studied photography and directing in the studios of Cinecittà in Rome. I love cinema and years ago I wanted to be a director as a second option. Didn’t I tell you that I love dancing? Ahaha Well I always danced as a teenager, now very little because I don’t have time to do it but I love creating choreography. I also approached the musical because it combined singing and dancing and I followed some courses and directed shows. I thought it was the ideal road for me when I was younger but rock and metal have always kept me so close that in the end, the guitar call and the energy of the metal audience, give me something I can’t describe!

Are there any other female artists or musicians in the industry who have inspired you or that you would like to work with in future?

The female artists that have inspired me in the past, have been more than all Sharon Den Adel of Within Temptation, Amy Lee and Floor Jansen at the time of After Forever. For me today it’s very vocal-inspired Lyzzy Hale from Halestorm that I love so much. If I could duet with one of them I’d be the happiest woman on earth

Finally, can we expect more heavy metal covers of pop songs, such as Aqua’s “Barbie Girl”, to be uploaded on your YouTube channel soon? (asking for a friend)

Ahahah I will surely surprise you! I love to play and have fun reinterpreting pop pieces in a metal key together with Francis D. Mary who takes care of the arrangements in an amazing way!! I really hope you like them

Thanks for your time. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for the opportunity to speak with you! See you somewhere around the world and stay metal!

You better batten down the hatches. A storm is brewing on the horizon, and it’s gaining in size and intensity. The debut album of Italian power metal unit Elettra Storm is forecast to arrive on the 16th February 2024 and it bears the suitably self-aware title of “Powerlords“. Led by industry power metal veteran and SinHeresy co-founder Davide Sportiello, alongside the charismatically sensational frontwoman Crystal Emiliani (Re-X), it is obvious there is no shortage of talent or experience in this new musical ensemble. Their initial venture is further supported by the skilful mixing and mastering of mastermind producer Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio (Wind Rose, Elvenking, Twilight Force), plus cover artwork handled by Beatrice Demori/Oround Media (Moonlight Haze). With star-studded credits like these, you would be right in thinking this project is on a path bound for victory.

Elettra Storm hits the ground running with relentless enthusiasm on album opener “Higher Than The Stars“, and it’s not long before they build up sufficient speed to take off and soar into the clouds. It’s almost impossible not to get swooped up with them in the whirlwind of blisteringly quick guitar/keytar-fuelled notes left behind in their wake. But if that should fail, then the heavenly and empowering vocals of Emiliani are surely fated to lift you higher.

The ascendency felt in this track could turn out to be emblematic of their career trajectory, for even at this earliest of acquaintances, it is clear Elettra Storm have the potential to rise to the highest echelons of the metal scene. A first impression that is only reaffirmed again and again as the album continues to play out, and they consistently hit the major jackpot – with winning numbers like “Redemption” and latest single “Origin of Dreams” following in quick succession. Guitarist Francis D. Mary steps up his duets with Emiliani on both these songs, and the two pair up beautifully in the vocal department. The harmonies continue in “Powerlords“, which marks its arrival with the type of pomp and ceremony that one might expect from such a boastful title. But it’s hard to argue with this confident self-declaration when the band has the receipts to back it up.

We are the Powerlords
We bring magic to your eyes
We heed the freedom calls
Standing stronger by your side
Elettra Storm – “Powerlords”

“Alone” sees the band break out their acoustic instruments, if only momentarily. There is a distinct Blind Guardian-esque feel to this power ballad, and both the sweeping guitar solos and Emiliani’s vocals sound the most weighty and emotive we have heard them so far. The mid-tempo “Heirs of the Descent” is memorable for its repeated catchiness, while ensuing track “Sacrifice of Angels” reaches Dragonforce-levels of crazy speed metal. I hate to think how challenging this would be for the band to perform live, but there is little doubt it would be an energetic crowd pleaser if they could somehow pull it off. Emiliani does well to keep up with the chaotic pace of her bandmates, who seemingly push their abilities to the max. We draw closer to the album’s conclusion with “Spirit of the Moon“, and Emiliani hintingly reflects on this fact in her opening lyrics: “The end of my quest is near // The end of all“. It is not without a touch of sadness that we have reached this point, but the band provides us a worthy send-off, especially with the slightly lengthier “Voices in the Wind“, delivering some of the catchiest vocal lines yet. Each member of the band is an expert artisan of their craft, whether you care to mention the gallivanting drum work of Matteo Norbedo, or the nimble-fingered fret work of guitarist Matteo Antoni, and this last track serves as a final reminder. The real highlight throughout the entire production, however, is Crystal Emiliani, who has a natural affinity for this style of music (considering this is her first foray into the genre) and possesses the uncanny ability for blending emotion with raw potency.

We were right to list “Powerlords” as one of our most anticipated metal albums for 2024. Combining the splendour of early 00’s power metal, which was made famous by the likes of genre heavyweights such as Stratovarius and Rhapsody of Fire, with the more modern stylings of female-fronted power metal bands like Unleash the Archers and Frozen Crown, Elettra Storm have hit upon a magic balance between the two. It’s still power metal at the end of the day, and still features all the typical fantasy tropes and enchanted stories that are par for the course with this genre – and could perhaps even make Luca Turilli blush. But if that sounds like your cup of tea, then you simply can’t go wrong with “Powerlords“. It’s an escapist’s dream, and a pure joy from start to end.

Verdict: “Powerlords” is all but guaranteed to take the world by storm upon its release, especially when buoyed by the rising star power of relative newcomer Crystal Emiliani. A strong first outing for Elettra Storm, and a worthy addition to any power metal collection.