I know, I know. How long has it been since we last profiled… anything? A month? More? I know it’s all my fault, but I do have good news – I’m sorry! So on that note, let’s fire the Profile train back up. Summer is winding down which means it’s about that time of year where I start scrambling to catch up on all the inevitably awesome tunes I missed throughout the year. The first such item is Long Island, New York-based progressive/experimental metal project Cryptodira. They released their new EP, Genesis Of Error, back in July through Silent Pendulum Records. It’s a quick burn, but one worth going through quite a few times right off the rip. One that, I don’t know, has you excited for a longer listen to hopefully follow soon? I guess we’ll have to wait and see. But I digress. Better still, they’ll be on the road next month, so there’s good things happening in the Cryptodira camp wherever you look. To catch up a little further, and gets some insights into what’s coming next, Scott Acquavella (vocals/guitar) took some time to respond to our questions. You know the drill – make the jump, give it a read, and hit that play button below. Cheers!

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How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

In around 2005 a buddy of mine brought his guitar to my house to show off how he could play Green Day songs. I was so immediately jealous that I ended up buying the guitar and amp FROM him… and the rest is history. I was already close friends with our guitar player Mike and once he found out that I got a guitar, he instantly pressed me into service and we’ve been playing in bands together ever since, with Cryptodira eventually getting its start from the ashes of our grade school bands.

Touring and devoting most of your time to being in a band certainly takes its toll on our families, but we are extremely blessed to have nothing but support from them. My parents might have been a bit concerned when I turned down some academic opportunities in favor of staying close to home and growing the band, but they’d never dream of telling me to stop. The people close to us being so supportive is a luxury we never take for granted.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the
dark?

I’d probably ask them if they’ve heard of Dream Theater, and when they inevitably say no, I’d probably just say “it’s angry, but it’s also pretty!” I think the thing I try to get across most is that Cryptodira is not just a metal band that screams all of the time, but one that covers a lot more dynamic range. There’s something for everybody here!

Is there anything about your latest album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

There is a guest feature on the album that is pretty difficult to hear, but I couldn’t possibly give it away. The only hints I’ll give are that the performer is a non-human, and it appears in “The Same River Twice”.

As for things I do care to divulge- the songs on the “Genesis of Error” EP were originally supposed to be on a full length album, but we made the snap decision to record them and release them as a short release first. The album writing sessions have not stopped though, so we hope to release the LP successor much sooner than later.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

It’s nearly impossible to narrow it down as tour is one big funny story, but a few come to mind.

While on tour with Rolo Tomassi & Palm Reader, we had an overnight ferry ride from Amsterdam to Newcastle. We had 16 hours to do nothing, so myself (Scott) and our drummer spent the night with Palm Reader trying to open beer bottles with as many objects as possible. The objects included but were not limited to: an orange juice bottle, a clothes hanger, a toothbrush, a pamphlet, a roll of duct tape, a sharpie marker, mayonnaise, a showerhead, a stair, a surge protector, and more. This culminated in a 5 minute video compilation of such activities that lives in infamy among that touring party.

And here are a few rapid fire tour instances that I won’t explain: staying with a man named Gun, the Rolo Tomassi toothpaste conflict, plastic-bottle-Whiskey-pool-baseball, BTBAM ding-dong-ditch, 5am Ray Charles, dead guy(?) in the motel room.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

I’m a bit jaded on the general state of how metal bands are forced to operate in 2025, but on a positive note I am always impressed by the pure devotion to the craft that exists at every level of the progressive music world. On every tour we’ve done with bands both big and small, I find myself in awe of at least a few of the players on the tour. Regardless of the hell inflicted on creativity by the digital age, the dedication to being a phenomenal player hasn’t left the prog world at all and it keeps me motivated to stay sharp on my instrument.

I think what bothers me most about modern metal is the lack of genuine risk taking. A lot of bands are chasing the social media high and playing it safe to appeal to the lowest common denominator by doing what they know is popular (for now) instead of pushing the envelope. I’m also pretty tired of bands sloppily smashing genres together to appear innovative without actually putting in the effort to find musical thrulines that connect their dynamics. But don’t listen to me or my opinions, just go like what you like.

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

Every song that our band has written is about some geopolitical injustice, the philosophies that allowed for them, or the philosophies that can solve them. There isn’t enough space here, but I’ll just say that we believe that capitalism has failed humanity and needs to be dismantled. Also, free Palestine.

Do you have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

We all work pretty average jobs that aren’t much to write home about! I work at a sign fabrication shop as a designer. Besides that, I am a huge hockey fan! Hockey has played a huge role in my life since I was a kid and it serves as a great way to get my brain out of Cryptodira-land for a little bit and immerse myself in something I love. Let’s Go Islanders!

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

Start digging for something new. We don’t need another take on the new Sleep Token record. There is a universe of unknown innovators waiting to be put on the world stage and appreciated.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

Too many to list! Get us on tour with Tool or Dream Theater or something. I want to tour in Asia and South America.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

Tommy from Between the Buried and Me got me into Ulver last year and I’ve been unable to stop listening since then. “The Assassination of Julius Caesar” became an instant favorite for me and it’s something I go back to all the time. There are tons more but that one sticks out for sure.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

We are hitting the pavement for a few regional shows in July to support the release of our new EP, “Genesis of Error”. We’ll also be on the road in Fall which has yet to be announced, so hang tight if you don’t see a date in your area yet! From there, we’ll be finishing up the writing of our new full length LP to follow “Genesis of Error” as quickly as possible.

Summarize your band in one word.

Curious.

Many thanks to Scott and Cryptodira for the time!

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Genesis Of Error is available now through Silent Pendulum Records. For more information on Cryptodira, give them a follow on Facebook or Instagram.