Photo Credit: Rhea Claire
Crystal Spiders had been on my radar for a while. Being a local band from Raleigh, NC, with roots that stretched back to the legendary Corrosion of Conformity, they carried a certain weight in my book.
I finally got the chance to see them live when they opened for Castle Rat, a band generating a real buzz in the heavy underground. That night in March at the Chapel of Bones was something else. For someone who’s been gigging and attending shows for 43 years, seeing a 379-capacity venue packed to the gills before the first band even sound-checked was a first. I was practically crushed by the crowd against the back wall opposite the stage minutes before anyone played a note.
The whole night was full of surprises, but Crystal Spiders’ performance is what really stuck with me. As a bass player, I understand the fundamental role our instrument plays – serving the song, laying down the groove that the vocals and guitars build upon, locked in with the kick drum.
Bands in a lineup have their roles, too. The opener gets the energy going, the second act keeps the momentum building. But that third slot in a four-band show? That’s a tricky spot. You want to be memorable, to leave an impact, but you don’t want to overshadow the headliner. You want to plant the seed that next time, you’re the main attraction.
Brenna Leath and Crystal Spiders understand this dynamic perfectly. They’ve been one of Raleigh’s best heavy exports since just before Covid hit, even with some lineup shifts. From local gigs to Maryland Doomfest, they’ve consistently delivered the heavy, earning fans and the support of underground giant Ripple Music.
The band’s DNA is intertwined with local heavy hitters Lightning Born and the iconic Corrosion of Conformity, thanks to a close connection with CoC bassist Mike Dean. He’s practically the unofficial fourth member, often contributing guitar and always serving as their producer. But the undeniable core of Crystal Spiders is Brenna Leath – the bassist and vocalist who commands the stage.
I recently had the chance to sit down with Brenna and talk all things Crystal Spiders, including their upcoming Ripple Music release, Metanoia, dropping on May 23rd. And of course, we talked bass gear!
Brenna represents this current generation of heavy rock bassists who appreciate both the vintage and the modern. She has a clear fondness for Ampeg blue line amps and classic basses, like her beloved Kramer. At the same time, she’s equally enthusiastic about Reverend and their contemporary, lighter takes on classic designs. We definitely bonded over our shared love for pedals, effects, and the pure sonic joy of a great fuzz pedal.
But make no mistake: it was her formidable presence and technical skill that blew me away that night in Raleigh. Her voice has that powerful range, and her bass playing has a technicality that reminds me of some of the greats. There’s no pretense in her stage presence, just a genuine passion as she accents Reid Rogers’ guitar solos or locks into that solid groove with drummer Aaron Willis.
If you’re not familiar with the recent resurgence of hard and heavy rock, Crystal Spiders is a fantastic band to discover. They’re part of a global wave of music that’s fearlessly blending elements of prog, heavy psych, hard rock, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and even some folk and Americana influences. What we used to call “Stoner/Doom” has evolved into something much broader, respecting its roots while exploring new sonic territories.
Photo Credit: Kirsten Rockt
Photo Credit: Nathan McDaniel
Crystal Spiders’ recent album, Metanoia, is an excellent starting point. It begins with a nod to classic hard rock and the NWOBHM before delving into deeper realms of heavy psych and traditional heavy metal. Brenna is, in my opinion, one of the best bass players in this scene, something that’s immediately apparent live. On Metanoia, her playing is perhaps more nuanced, which ultimately makes for an even more compelling album.
Overall, seeing Brenna and Crystal Spiders induced my own form of metanoia, which is a change in one’s perspective and way of life due to a profound spiritual experience. And that is precisely what happened to me on the night I saw them.
