The hard-rocking goddess behind Crystal Viper pays tribute to the artists who inspired her with her new solo album Metal Queens.
What is better than a hot chick who rocks? Nothing! Meet Marta Gabriel. Fans of her band Crystal Viper are more than aware of the “Queen of the Witches” rocker and her powerful vibrato voice, which recalls both German singer Doro and Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson. Seriously, she can wail! And she plays a mean guitar.
Her band has been at it since the early 2000s, releasing eight sonically crushing albums along the way. Fresh on the heels of Crystal Viper’s new CD The Cult, Marta is set to release a solo album titled Metal Queens. The disc is a collection of covers by women who inspired Marta to rock in the first place, including Wendy O. Williams and the aforementioned Doro. HUSTLERMagazine.com caught up with Gabriel over Zoom from her home in Poland to discuss the attraction she has to metal and sandwich-bearing fans, among other topics.
HUSTLERMagazine.com: What is your attitude toward sex in rock and roll?
Marta Gabriel: I don’t mind! I would say that the human body and sexuality are pieces of art as well, and if someone feels good and confident in his or her body and wants to underline it, then it’s cool.
What first attracted you to heavy metal music?
I’ve been a musician since I was seven years old. As a teenager I discovered Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and so on. Great songs, amazing musicians, outstanding energy, and the melodies that stayed in your head.
