Cruz d Malta

Cuz d Malta is a new Mexican project conformed by four talented musicians. Though their style has a clear tendency to the metal side of progressive rock, they do not want to be pigeonholed in only one style. Last year (2011) they released their debut, self-titled album which so far has received very positive feedback.

I contacted the band and they kindly shared some words. Please, I invite you to listen to them, their album is actually really good. Their page here on PA is http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7057

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1. What is the meaning of making music, particularly here in Mexico; and why creating a band?

Making music is everything to us, particularly the music we like. We have realized that creating an album in Mexico is quite a challenge, because you find everytime comments such as “that is not going to work here”, “you need vocals” or “that music does not sell”, even “if it is not an international band I would not buy it”. But we have also realized that there is a passionate and sincere spectrum that actually wants to listen to us, and that is the boost we need to keep working on this project. Creating the band was the only thing we needed to concrete our passion, the idea of the project already existed, along with a musical ideology pretty similar, and good attitude to do it between us.

2. Which were the goals you had (and have) while composing, releasing an album? Which results do you expect?

The goal was always to make the best album we could achieve. The idea was to surpass our capacity as musicians, both in the technique and in the creative sides, but always enjoying the results. We believe it is very important to make an effort, to have discipline and in the end you will be satisfied for what you have created. What do we expect? Good question. We expect people know our music, our      álbum and enjoy what we did, and also we expect them to demand live performances, which is  someting we love doing.

3. Please tell us how Cruz d Malta was created, and what’s the story behind the name.

Roberto and Arturo always wanted to compose their own music, and of course to create a name with a representative value to us. Arturo saw a documental about the Crusades and the transition of Europe to the Holy Ground, which means to us defending what we believe, the music, as something that cannot be sold. So we began to compose the album, at first we worked with a bass player, we already had three melodies and realized about the potential we had, but he followed his path, so we followed ours. So we finished the material for the album and met Pável in the latter 2007. At mid 2009 we began the recording of the album in our studio, and then Edgar joined us because we had the same goals and ambitions, so both of them (Pável and Edgar) came to enrich this project with their incredible talent. The result can be appreciated while listening to our CD.

4. How difficult is to enter (and to resist) in this musical field in Mexico?

It is really difficult to enter, but resisting is twice difficult. We see it with renowned bands with several years of experience, they don’t receive the attention and importance they deserve. They are incredible talented bands that are neglected by the musical industry. But we think there is a great value in this bands, because in spite of the tendencies, fashions, etc., they always give the best of themselves, no matter how difficult is to break through.

5. Your music may be catalogued as progressive metal. Here two questions: how important is to label bands in x or y genre? And, what make you choose this genre in particular?

It is difficult to answer this. We would not like to say we belong to this genre, though due to our influences we have metal riffs that we love playing, but we also enjoy making emotional ballads, so it is difficult to say in which genre we belong. On the other side, we do believe it is necessary to classify, because nowadays there is a huge diversity of music, and despite all is music, the sound is really different for several reasons such as the style, the region, culture, movement, etc. In some cases the genre creates an identity in the listener, and that’s important for him.

6. Last year (2011) you released your eponymous album. Please tell us what the listener will find there.

You will listen in 75 minutes, what took us two years to compose. You’ll find from atmospheric passages, raw and metal riffs, psychedelic moments, emotional melodies. We really enjoy listening to this, and much better to performing it on stage. We hope the listener gets on well with this concept.

7. With the exception of “Un mundo de sueños”, all the compositions have a long length. Is there a particular reason for this?

Actually all the songs took us to that length themselves. When we composed we were not thinking about “let’s create a ten-minute song” or “we have five minutes already, let’s finish it”, no. The whole album is a concept, and “Un mundo de sueños” was the pinnacle of it, so this ballad took us to those five minutes, we don’t know why, but that was the result.

8. You are a purely instrumental band. Which is your conception regarding lyrics and vocals in music?

We enjoy a lot the lyrics of the bands we listen to, as well as the music, but there is something more that catches our attention in the instrumental melodies of these bands. We do not deny the idea of having one or two songs with lyrics in the future, but we don’t think to implement them in a complete album since we want to follow with this instrumental concept. It is relevant how people can create their own stories from these compositions.

9. What are Cruz d Malta’s dreams?

We dream about releasing several albums; in touring around the globe, actually, our very special dream is to play in Europe. But we think the most important that would lead us to this, it to be recognized as one of the best instrumental progressive bands.

10. As background, please tell us about the music you listen, and about your héroes.

It is a diversified spectrum that goes from heavy metal, to progressive rock (a lot of prog) and classic rock. Regarding our heroes, as a band there is no discussion: Dream Theater. But as individuals, we have John Petrucci, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore, Alejandro Marcovich, Steven Wilson, Jordan Rudess, Neal Morse, John Myung, Victor Wooten, Chris Squire, Keith Emerson, Tom MacLean, Steve Harris, Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, Mike Portnoy, Neil Peart.

11. Which are your goals at short and long term?

At long term is to spread the word and make our album be known as much as we can, also to play it on stage because we believe that is the best diffusion method. At long term is to release another album, and of course to play in several places in Mexico and around the world.

12. Is there anything you would like to add?

First of all we would like to thank you for the space, because it is not easy to find media and people like you who want to boost good and talented Mexican bands.

For our side, we have the commitment of keeping united as a band, and make everything possible to achieve our dreams. We would like to invite people to visit the sites where you can find our music:

Official website (under construction): www.cruzdmalta.com

www.facebook.com/cruzdmalta

www.twitter.com/cuzdmalta

http://itunes.apple.com/es/album/cruz-de-malta/id496704492

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=cruz+d+malta&x=0&y=0