by Jorge Patacas
Seven years after their EP “A Quest for Life”, the Uruguayan symphonic power metal band Crystal Gates is back with their debut album “Torment & Wonder: The Ways Of The Lonely Ones”, released via the Italian label WormHoleDeath. The guitar player and band leader Benjamín Machín has recently moved to Riga, Latvia, and this may bring new opportunities for the band, so we did an interview with him to talk about that as well as many details related to the album, their new music video and more!
RISE!: – What was the idea/concept behind the album cover for “Torment & Wonder: The Ways of the Lonely Ones”? Did you give the idea to the artist or was he who came up with the concept based on the songs?
Benjamín Machín: Each song touches upon the subjects of loneliness and how it has a duality to it. The idea was to capture that and in the artwork also showing that the way to realization or balance is not a straightforward path. We sent Stan (Decker, artist) a description of the concept of the album and some rough ideas about what we wanted it to be and look like. His first sketch was already great, almost the final version. We only asked him to adjust some small details and colors and that was it. It was a very good experience!
R!: – What things about the song “Moonshine & Sorrow” made you choose it as a single?
BM: Actually, it took me some time to really fall in love with it. It was not one of my favourite songs until rather recently, but the rest of the guys really liked it from the beginning. Being a bit darker, with a somewhat goth feel to it, it shows another side of the band that complements very well the other singles, which are faster and “brighter”, in a way. The chorus is one of my favourites from the album and it really showcases Caro’s vocals, which is a good thing to do in a single too.
R!: – How long did it take to shoot the “Moonshine & Sorrow” video and why did you choose Castillo Pittamiglio as the video location?
BM: It was only one day of shooting. One very long and stressful day. But it was fun too and we were happy after it was done. We had already done our photo session for the album in the same location so it made a lot of sense to try to shoot the video there. It’s a place filled with symbols and it has a very special atmosphere. I am personally quite a fan of the place and used to visit it a few times every year when I lived in Montevideo. It inspires me a lot.
R!: – Tell us some details about the 12-minute long “Torment & Wonder”… How long have you been working on this epic song? Did you have in mind to write a song like this or it just happened naturally during the songwriting process?
BM: It started with an instrumental idea that J (Juan José Leyton, keyboards) brought. That idea is what you hear on the keyboards/orchestra in the verse and pre-chorus at the beginning of the song. I had been thinking of doing a longer song, and this felt like the right one. I wanted it to be at least ten minutes long. I wrote the intro parts, and the chorus right away, and then we recorded the demo vocals with Caro. There’s some video of that in her instagram account I think. We really liked it, but left it unfinished for some years at the instrumental break. Then one day I went to Piriápolis for a weekend to concentrate fully on finishing this song. I wrote there almost all the rest of the music, and then it was more about arrangements and writing lyrics. It was hard, but I am very proud of how it turned out!
R!: – You have Elisa C. Martín (ex Dark Moor) as a guest on the album. How was the collaboration with her? Did she record her parts in Spain or how was it?
BM: It was very nice. She appeared at a moment when we were all a bit depressed because of the pandemic. We had just stopped the recordings because of it. She offered to help us and that kinda brought life back to us again. I sent her some demo recordings of the backing vocals and she started from that.
Yes, they recorded their parts in Spain and sent us the files.
R!: – The album was mixed and mastered by Seeb (Orden Ogan) at his Greenman Studios. How was the experience of working with him?
BM: Working with Seeb was awesome. We learned a lot from him. He was very patient and made sure that we were getting exactly what we wanted (or as close as possible!). There was a lot of back and forth and honest feedback from both parts. The communication was good and that contributed to the final result.
R!: – How was the band impacted by the fact that you’re currently living in Latvia? How do you guys manage with the rehearsals? Do you travel to Uruguay often?
BM: It has had both good and bad things to it. On one hand, I miss the guys and the rehearsals a lot. That was a part of my routine for so many years, and I feel that void a lot. On the other hand, me being here opens up many opportunities that we didn’t have before, and we hope it will make it easier for us to reach new horizons. About the rehearsals, the guys are rehearsing with pre-recorded guitar tracks, and I’m just trying my best to be in shape for when I meet them. I haven’t been to Uruguay yet since I left. Overall, it was a step that we were all more or less aligned to take. We knew it was going to be challenging, but we were ready for it.
R!: – I remember an interview we’ve done some years ago where we discussed whether you were going to send your first EP “A Quest for Life” to record labels. Now with your first album you got signed by the Italian label WormHoleDeath. How did the contact with them arise?
BM: Upon arriving here I started searching for a booking agency, and that’s how I contacted THP. They also act as A&R for WormHoleDeath, and they made the contact. From there it was very straightforward.
R!: – How has the promotion/support from the label been so far? I’ve seen you have done a lot of interviews and got reviews in media around the world!
BM: It’s been great so far. We are happy with the label in that regard, and also with Jorge from Different Shit PR. Both have done a great work getting us interviews and reviews.
R!: – Seems like it’s a matter of time until you guys are able to do a European tour, have you thought about that? Do you have a plan if that opportunity comes up considering most of the band is located in Uruguay?
BM: Yes! That’s one of our main goals right now. We have discussed internally how to go about it, and we have it all more or less figured out. We are now concentrated in our album presentation show in Uruguay, but after that we will resume working on getting Crystal Gates to play some shows here.
R!: – You’ve not only played live in Uruguay, but also in other Latin American countries and you’ve also served as opening act for international bands during the Latin American tours. Is there any live experience that you specially remember?
BM: Our first time in Perú was very special. It was our first festival, the atmosphere was great and the people really liked us. We also made some very dear friends there. It was a trip filled with good moments that has a special place in our hearts.
R!: – What do you enjoy the most about being on stage? Do you prefer being in the studio or playing live?
BM: Being on stage is rather stressful for me. I am usually worried about everything being right and trying to concentrate on giving a good show. That being said, there are those moments when I see that there’s people in the crowd really connecting with the music, and when that happens the emotion is overwhelming. It makes me realize that we are doing something that transcends us, and that is awesome. I feel lucky. Being in the studio is magical in a different way. I need both things in my life!
R!: – What words would you use to describe the way Crystal Gates works?
BM: Learning, effort and hope. A lot of all three!
R!: – It took a lot of time and effort to get to this point where you have your debut album out and you had a well-deserved good response so far, so what are the next steps for Crystal Gates?
BM: Our next big goal is to do our live presentation of the album, now on the 17th of December, in Montevideo. It is going to be our biggest live production so far. We are working very hard to make it as special and perfect as possible. We will play the whole album and some other songs, and we are preparing a special stage and some other surprises. It will also mark our return to the stage after many years. We are very much looking forward to it!
CRYSTAL GATES DISCOGRAPHY
A Quest for Life EP – 2015
Torment & Wonder: The Ways of the Lonely Ones – 2022
CRYSTAL GATES VIDEOS
Moonshine & Sorrow (2022):
My Glorious Fall (Lyric Video) (2022):
Alive For The Journey (Lyric Video) (2022):