First Spell

Leatherwitch is a new Heavy Metal band formed by vocalist and multi- instrumentalist Marta Gabriel. She disbanded her band CRYSTAL VIPER in the fall of 2025. The band toured in more than 20 countries, conquered the stages of major festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Hellfest or Keep It True, and left a legacy of 9 studio albums. CRYSTAL VIPER's farewell live album entitled "The Live Quest", came out in June 2025 on Listenable records. Marta Gabriel comments : The end of CRYSTAL VIPER didn't mean the end of my musical journey, rather something totally opposite, it literally was "The New Beginning". I'm a super creative person, I write music in different styles all the time. I'm a big, big fan of the very traditional and classic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, this is what inspires me all the time. (...) And whenever a path ends, there's a new path or even a few paths to follow. One of those new paths is called Leatherwitch, and it took me to the very basic and pure Heavy Metal. I wouldn't call it "old school", as I didn't try to play or achieve the retro vibe over here - but it is indeed very classic sounding, raw, and full of the original Heavy Metal energy. Leatherwitch's debut album 'First spell' will let the listener encounter some sparkling riffs and solos accompanied by what is surely the most convincing vocal performance of Marta's career. Every track comes loud with it's own clarity yet with a raw vibe thanks to refined production. Marta continues : "First Spell" as the album title is a play of words: if I'm this Heavy Metal witch wearing leather, holding a flying V guitar, playing loud and proud, then why not to call the first album "First Spell", since it's the first official full length release. There is no actual concept behind the lyrics on the new album, they are like short stories about what inspires me, about what was or is happening in my life, and about events II witnessed or which I was part of. So some of the lyrics have deeper or more symbolic personal meeting, while the others are fun stories related to classic Gothic Horror or playing D&D. Leatherwitch 'Beast inside' digital single is out now and it's limited edition debut 7inch version is available 'First Spell' CD version features a scorching rendition of Helloween 'Walls of Jericho/ Ride the Sky' and the vinyl version contains a cover of Manowar's crushing classic 'Black Wind Fire and Steel' as exclusive bonus tracks. The Witch is Dead, Long Live the Witch ! Leatherwitch 'First Spell' was mixed by Olof Wikstrand (ENFORCER), and features special guest, guitarist Giuseppe Taormina (ELLENDE, ex-CRYSTAL VIPER). For fans of: ENFORCER, AMBUSH, SKULL FIST, RUNNING WILD, IRON MAIDEN