Crypta is a Brazilian death metal band formed in São Paulo in 2019. The group features bassist and vocalist Fernanda Lira, drummer Luana Dametto—both formerly of the thrash metal band Nervosa—along with rhythm guitarist Tainá Bergamaschi and lead guitarist Jéssica di Falchi. Crypta has gained recognition in the metal scene for their powerful sound and distinctive death metal style.

Formation and Early Development
Crypta was officially announced in May 2020, following the departure of Fernanda Lira and Luana Dametto from Nervosa, citing differences in their professional relationships. The two musicians formed Crypta, aligning themselves with the death metal genre, which they felt a deeper connection to. While the band’s formation was publicly revealed in 2020, Crypta had been in development since June 2019. Initially, the band also included guitarist Sonia Anubis, formerly of Burning Witches and Cobra Spell, along with Tainá Bergamaschi, formerly of the band Hagbard.

The band quickly garnered attention, and in June 2020, it was announced that Crypta had signed with Napalm Records, a label known for its roster of metal bands. Shortly after, they began working on their debut album and released their first single, "From the Ashes," accompanied by a music video. The song is inspired by the mythological story of the phoenix, symbolizing rebirth and resilience.

Echoes of the Soul and Debut Release
In early 2021, Crypta entered the studio to record their debut album, Echoes of the Soul. The recording took place at Family Mob Studio, owned by Jean Dolabella (former drummer of Sepultura) and Estevam Romera. The production team behind the album included Arthur Rizk, known for his work with Code Orange and Power Trip, who handled the mixing, and Jens Bogren, who has worked with notable acts like Opeth, Sepultura, and Dimmu Borgir, who mastered the album.

Echoes of the Soul was released on June 11, 2021, following the release of several singles, including "From the Ashes," "Starvation," and "Dark Night of the Soul." The album's cover art was created by Wes Benscoter, an artist well-regarded in the metal community for his work with bands such as Slayer, Kreator, and Black Sabbath. The album was met with positive reception from the metal community, praised for its intense riffs, tight rhythm section, and the combination of classic and modern death metal elements.

Crypta's first live performance took place on November 20, 2021, at the Porão do Rock festival in Brasília, which was held with both an in-person audience and online streaming. Following this, the band continued to promote their album with additional live shows and music videos. In March 2022, they released an unreleased track from Echoes of the Soul titled "I Resign," which also featured a new music video.

Lineup Changes and Tours
In April 2022, guitarist Sonia Anubis announced her departure from Crypta to focus on her own band, Cobra Spell. The split was amicable, and shortly after, the band introduced Jéssica di Falchi as her replacement for their upcoming tours and concerts. Jéssica joined the band officially later that year, in October 2022, after completing several successful performances, including appearances at prominent festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Rock in Rio.

In 2023, during a concert in Belvidere, Illinois, where Crypta was supporting Morbid Angel, an EF1 tornado hit the venue shortly after the band finished their set. The roof collapsed, tragically resulting in one death and multiple injuries. The incident was widely reported, but Crypta and the other bands involved were unharmed.

Shades of Sorrow and Recent Work
Crypta announced their second studio album, Shades of Sorrow, in May 2023, with an official release date of August 4, 2023. The announcement coincided with the release of the album’s lead single, "Lord of Ruins," which came with a music video. Shades of Sorrow further solidified the band’s sound, blending dark and melodic elements with the aggressive tone of death metal. Before the album’s release, the band also shared two more singles, "Trial of Traitors" on June 27, 2023, and "The Other Side of Anger" on August 1, 2023, both accompanied by music videos.

Musical Style and Influences
Crypta’s music is rooted firmly in the death metal genre, characterized by fast tempos, complex guitar riffs, and powerful drumming. The band's sound reflects a blend of both traditional and modern death metal, with influences from thrash metal, groove metal, and melodic death metal. Their lyrical themes often delve into existentialism, personal struggles, and mythical stories, drawing on a combination of dark and introspective topics.

As musicians, Crypta’s members bring a variety of influences from their previous projects. Fernanda Lira and Luana Dametto's thrash metal background with Nervosa informs the aggressive edge in their music, while Tainá Bergamaschi and Jéssica di Falchi contribute to the more melodic and technical aspects of the band’s guitar work. The combination of these elements creates a dynamic and distinctive sound that has set Crypta apart in the global death metal scene.

Band Members
Fernanda Lira – Bass, Vocals (2019–present): Fernanda is the band’s frontwoman, known for her growling vocal style and dynamic bass playing.
Luana Dametto – Drums (2019–present): Luana brings a powerful and technical drumming style, drawing from her experience in thrash and death metal.
Tainá Bergamaschi – Rhythm/Lead Guitar (2020–present): Tainá contributes to the band's melodic and technical guitar work.
Jéssica di Falchi – Rhythm/Lead Guitar (2022–present): Jéssica officially joined Crypta in 2022 and plays a key role in shaping the band’s evolving sound.
Former Members:

Sonia "Anubis" Nusselder – Lead Guitar (2019–2022): Sonia was a founding member of Crypta and played lead guitar on their debut album, Echoes of the Soul.
Touring Members:

Jéssica di Falchi – Lead Guitar (2022): Jéssica initially toured with Crypta before joining as an official member.
Elisa "Helly" Montin – Drums (2023): Elisa temporarily filled in on drums during Crypta’s 2023 tour dates.
Discography
Studio Albums:

Echoes of the Soul (2021): Crypta’s debut album, which garnered attention for its fusion of classic and modern death metal.
Shades of Sorrow (2023): The band’s follow-up album, released in 2023, which further explored dark and melodic themes within the death metal framework.
Singles:

"From the Ashes" (2021): The band’s debut single and music video, inspired by the phoenix myth.
"Starvation" (2021): A single from their debut album.
"Dark Night of the Soul" (2021): Another release from their debut album, showcasing their melodic death metal influences.
"I Resign" (2022): A stand-alone single featuring an unreleased track from Echoes of the Soul.
"Lord of Ruins" (2023): The lead single from Shades of Sorrow.
"Trial of Traitors" (2023): A single released prior to the album Shades of Sorrow.
"The Other Side of Anger" (2023): Another pre-release single from Shades of Sorrow.
Conclusion
Since their formation in 2019, Crypta has quickly established themselves as a force in the death metal scene. With two well-received albums, Echoes of the Soul and Shades of Sorrow, and a series of intense live performances, the band has gained a dedicated fanbase. Their sound, rooted in death metal but incorporating melodic and technical elements, sets them apart as a distinct voice in the genre. Crypta continues to evolve, experimenting with their musical identity while staying true to the powerful and aggressive sound that defines their work.