The project "Crystal Skull" was born out of Claudio's passion for Teutonic Power / Speed Metal from the 80's and 90's, a truly golden age for the genre, featuring bands that still remain unrivalled to this very day, such as Running Wild, Accept, Grave Digger, Blind Guardian, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Scanner, Rage, Heavens Gate, X-Wild ect.
The original idea for the project came up in 2007. At that time he used to play as a guitarist in Black Raven (Heavy Metal) and as a bass player in Violent Assault (Thrash / Black Metal). Finding the right people to form such a band in the local area was an impossible task. He thus decided to make the most of it and quickly learned to compose songs on his own. That led to countless songs being written and arranged (enough for 3-4 records), up to the point he decided it was high time to record a full-length album. Therefore, in 2017 he decided to take some time off and spent quite some time selecting the most suitable songs to be included on the debut. This is why the record includes songs orinally written between 2008 and 2015 (hence the title "Ancient Tales").
Five years after the debut of the project as a purely solo act with “Ancient Tales” (US CD-188), the journey has evolved. The band has solidified, the sound has matured — but the flame of Power Epic Metal burns stronger than ever! Still standing strong with the legacy of bands like Gamma Ray, Running Wild, Blind Guardian, and Grave Digger.
The saga of the three heroes — Turok, Regdar, and Erevyn — continues through fire and steel, darkness and hope, in the war-torn lands of Arendal. New battles, ancient legends, and a rising Evil will guide their path across thirteen chapters that will carve their legend in stone.