Cyprus and metal—for many people, the connection still feels unexpected.

The Mediterranean island is often associated with beaches, tourism, or geopolitics rather than a thriving modern metal scene. Yet for decades, a passionate underground community has quietly developed, combining traditional heavy metal roots with a new generation of bands looking far beyond the island's borders.

One of the most exciting of these bands is Speak in Whispers from Larnaca.

Following their appearance at Bloodstock Open Air and their historic victory at Wacken Metal Battle Greece, the band became the first Cypriot act ever to perform at Wacken Open Air. But beyond this remarkable achievement lies a story of artistic growth, emotional songwriting, and a clear vision for the future.

I met the band before their final residency show at Savino Live—just hours before they closed an important chapter in their career. Between soundcheck, memories, and anticipation for what comes next, we spoke about their musical identity, the Cypriot metal scene, and why Wacken is only the beginning.

But what makes Speak in Whispers truly interesting goes beyond that achievement alone.

Their music combines groove-oriented and progressive metal with atmospheric textures, electronic elements and an unusually introspective emotional depth. Their songs rely less on heaviness for its own sake and more on mood, dynamics and emotional tension. Very quickly, it becomes clear that this is not a band trying to sound “modern”—but a band searching for its own identity.

Their rise has not gone unnoticed in Cyprus either.

The Press and Information Office of Cyprus recently produced a documentary focusing both on the band and the wider local metal scene surrounding their journey to Bloodstock Open Air—something that would have seemed highly unlikely for a modern Cypriot metal band only a few years ago.

I met the band on the evening of their final major residency concert at Savino Live. After eight years, an important chapter for the group was coming to an end.

Somewhere between soundcheck, nostalgia and anticipation for what comes next, we spoke about identity, music, emotion, the Cypriot scene—and why Wacken is not the destination, but only the beginning.

Photo by Pantelis Michael (bear.cy)

From Covers to Original Music

Let's start at the beginning—how did everything come together?

Andreas (guitar):

The band started in early 2018 out of a previous project. Three of us had already been making music together before that band eventually fell apart.

Still, we felt there was something special in the chemistry between us, so we decided to continue and bring in new members.

At first, we basically became the house band here at Savino. We played monthly shows, mostly covers and music we personally grew up listening to.

At some point we realized:

"We actually work really well together—why aren't we writing our own material?"

Step by step, Speak in Whispers emerged from that process, eventually leading to our debut album Crystalline Structures.

Finding Their Own Sound

Your music combines groove metal, progressive elements, modern metalcore influences, atmosphere and electronic textures. How would you describe your sound yourselves?

Andreas (guitar):

Honestly, our sound is still evolving. A lot of bands only fully discover their identity after one or two albums.

At the core, we're definitely a groove- and riff-oriented metal band. The progressive elements are more like something layered on top rather than the main purpose.

We never want complexity just for the sake of being complex. If something becomes progressive, it's because it makes emotional or rhythmic sense.

We want songs that create tension and movement—not tracks that are simply heavy from beginning to end.

For that, you need dynamics, contrasts, calmer moments and then sudden emotional explosions.

Andreas (vocals):

At the end of the day, it's mainly about making people feel something.

If a song doesn't trigger an emotional reaction, people probably won't return to it a second time. That's exactly what we try to avoid.

We don't want to write heavy songs just to sound heavy.

Layers, Details and Storytelling

Your music feels very detailed. Especially on headphones, you constantly discover small layers and nuances.

Andreas (guitar):

I'm really happy to hear that because that's exactly our approach.

We think about songs more like small stories rather than simple "verse-chorus-finished" structures.

With a track like Hollow, for example, the chorus needed to feel oppressive and almost ghost-like because the song deals with despair and depression.

A huge uplifting chorus simply wouldn't have worked emotionally.

I think music often grows over time. Some details only become noticeable after several listens.

That's something we personally love about albums from other bands as well.

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