Metalwar: For those who are just discovering you — how would you introduce Guiltera and what defines your sound?
Guiltera: Guiltera is a modern metal band from Cyprus that blends intensity with emotion. Our sound combines heavy riffs, cinematic atmosphere, and melodic vocals — a balance between aggression and vulnerability.
What defines us is contrast: beauty and chaos, heaviness and melody, darkness and light. We want our music to hit hard but also to connect on a deeper, emotional level — something that stays with you long after the song ends.
Metalwar: You formed in early 2024 and already achieved significant recognition. How did the band members come together initially?
Guiltera: Cyprus has a wonderful and very active music community The Jammers— musicians get together every month to play different covers just for the love of music. That’s where we all met, and from those jam sessions Guiltera was born.
Metalwar: Your debut single “Ecstasy” reached impressive streaming numbers and chart positions. How did that success influence your confidence and next creative steps?
Guiltera: The success of Ecstasy was a huge motivation for us. Seeing our very first single reach over 50,000 streams and appear in multiple playlists proved that our music truly connects with people.
It gave us the confidence to move forward boldly — to experiment more, push our sound further, and trust our instincts
Metalwar: The debut album Us was described as a mix of melodic rock and modern metal. What were your main inspirations and goals while making it?
Guiltera: Our debut album Us was born from the inspiration we found in each other — it’s a very personal and intimate record. It reflects who we were at the very beginning of Guiltera, when everything was new and full of discovery.
The second album, however, is different. It’s about our interaction with the world around us — the emotions we experience, the way we face society, and the inner truths we’ve come to realize. It’s raw, emotional, and, above all, honest.
Metalwar: Your new single “Far Away” feels both powerful and cinematic. What’s the story or message behind it?
Guiltera: Far Away is a very personal song for our vocalist, Vikki. It was inspired by her trip back to her childhood home after many years of living abroad. The song reflects that bittersweet mix of nostalgia and realization — when you see how much you’ve changed and how different your past feels from who you are now.
It’s both a love letter to home and a reflection on distance — not just the physical one, but the emotional and spiritual distance that comes with time and growth.
Metalwar: How has your sound evolved from Us to the upcoming album They?
Guiltera: Our sound has grown a lot since Us. With our new drummer, Slava, joining the band, we’ve gained a more modern and dynamic rhythm section that really reshaped our overall sound.
We also introduced more extreme vocal techniques, which brought a heavier edge and pushed us further into the metal side compared to the first album. This evolution has set a new creative direction for Guiltera — more intense, more emotional, and definitely more powerful.
Metalwar: You’ve already performed at major festivals like GDCY, Off-Road, and GFEST. What’s been your most memorable live experience so far?
Guiltera: Our most memorable live experience so far has definitely been GFEST — our own festival, where we performed both as organizers and headliners. It was incredible to see how strongly the audience responded to what we created.
That connection was our main goal from the start — to build and grow the modern metal scene in Cyprus. Seeing people come together and truly feel the music reminded us why we do this, and it’s a mission we’ll keep pursuing.
Metalwar: Speaking of GFEST — you created your own modern metal festival in Cyprus! What inspired that idea, and how did the first edition turn out?
Guiltera: Cyprus has a pretty big and passionate metal community, but we felt there was still room for something new — a space focused on the modern side of metal. That’s what inspired us to create GFEST.
Our goal was to find our true audience and bring together people who connect with this contemporary sound. The first edition went even better than we expected — the energy, the feedback, the unity — it all showed us that modern metal truly has a home here.
Metalwar: Cyprus isn’t usually the first place people associate with metal. How would you describe the local scene and your role in shaping it?
Guiltera: It’s true — Cyprus isn’t the first place that comes to mind when people think about metal. But there’s a passionate and growing community here, full of talented musicians and dedicated fans who truly love heavy music.
We see ourselves as part of a new wave that’s shaping the island’s modern metal identity.
Through our own music and by creating GFEST, we’re helping build a stronger platform for the local scene — one that connects Cyprus to the wider European metal world.
Metalwar: How do you balance the heavy, aggressive side of your music with the emotional, melodic elements?
Guiltera: Our music is like a dish crafted by a chef. The base is built on heavy riffs and deep bass — that’s the foundation. Then we add modern, dynamic drum parts and spice it up with clean, melodic female vocals, sometimes flavored with a touch of extreme techniques.
It’s all about balance — mixing intensity and beauty, power and emotion — so that every song feels rich, layered, and alive.
Metalwar: Looking ahead to 2026 and the release of They — what can fans expect from Guiltera in the next chapter?
Guiltera: With the release of They, we’re aiming to expand our audience beyond Cyprus. We’ve already planned several major performances at European festivals in 2026, and we’ll keep creating visually striking music videos to bring our stories to life.
The next chapter of Guiltera is all about growth — reaching more people, playing bigger stages, and continuing to evolve both musically and visually.
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