Biography

Kryptan is an atmospheric black metal band from Avesta, Sweden. Founded in early 2020, right at the beginning of the global pandemic, Kryptan took shape to embody the passion for black metal that songwriter and guitarist Mattias "Kryptan" Norrman harboured for decades.

A familiar face in the scene, Mattias, who is most recognized for playing guitar in October Tide and previously bass in Katatonia, has long sought to create his very own musical endeavour. Fans may be surprised to find the musician associated with a style of extreme metal other than death or doom, but Mattias reveals:

"I never got to play black metal in a band before, and it was clear that if I was going to start my own band, it would be exactly that. Seeing how black metal has influenced and fascinated me all this time, the music wrote itself."

As for the timing, he muses that it may have been the abundance of free time during the pandemic that finally pushed him to bring his ideas to life. Heavily inspired by the 90s era of Norwegian and Swedish black metal, life, and the crushing darkness of Swedish winters, he created captivating songs bursting with sinister energy and craftsmanship. Kryptan aim to take listeners back in time and celebrate a glorious musical legacy in a contemporary way.

The band was initially completed by fellow October Tide member Alexander Högbom on vocals and Samuel Karlstrand of Wretched Fate on drums.

Four songs for a first release were recorded with Mats Andersson at Glashuset Studio over the course of 2020. Finally, mastered by Thomas "Plec" Johansson at The Panic Room, the self-titled EP was released on the 23rd of July 2021 via Debemur Morti Productions, and received an overwhelmingly positive response.

Kryptan played their first ever live show together with In Mourning and Farsoth at Klubb Slammer in Falun (SE) on the 21st of October 2022. The debut live line-up saw Mats Andersson on second guitar and Mikael Hanni on bass and backing vocals.
Since then, multiple live appearances across Sweden, including a much celebrated show at Gefle Metal Fest, have followed. Kryptan parted ways with Samuel in early 2023, and is currently supported by live and session members Victor Parri (Valkyrja, Isole) on drums and Mikael Hanni (Disrupted) on bass and backing vocals.

Songwriting for a debut full-length album began shortly after the release of the EP. With recordings done over the course of 2023 and mixing and mastering wrapping up the following spring, the album was eventually finalized in 2024. In autumn, the band signed with Norwegian extreme metal label Edged Silence Productions to release the album, titled "Violence, Our Power", on the 14th of February 2025.

With a full album ready to present, and a new label by their side, Kryptan look forward to taking their raw Swedish black metal out into the world.

To be continued...