Here we go again… Last year we covered every band on the Hobgoblin New Blood and Jagermeister stages in the run-up to Bloodstock 2015. This year, we’re going one better and aim to have interviews from all the bands on those two stages as well as all of those on the SOPHIE stage prior to the event kicking off on August 11th. That’s almost 100 interviews to get online for you lucky people over the course of the next couple of weeks. I bloody love this job, but you lot owe me a beer at Catton Hall, right?
Thanks to all the bands who’ve taken the time to respond!
Krysthla – SOPHIE stage, Sunday
Neil Hudson (guitar / vocals) answered our questions…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We are based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire on planet Earth.
How did you meet?
I was in a band called Violation with Adi over 20 years ago. We met at a house party. He was wearing black lingerie and stockings. I think it was fancy dress..? I shared a house with Carl and Noel a few years later, and Gutworm was formed in 1998 as a result.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
Krysthla was formed in early 2012. We spent the first couple of years just rehearsing and trying different things before we even decided to play a live show. It went well.
Where does the name of the band come from?
The word/sounds of Krysthla are the seven core tones of creation. Ka Ra Ya Sa Ta Ha La. We play extremely aggressive music, but the will driving it has a very positive direction. Basically trying to harness good vibes and change the world, loudly…
What are your influences – individually or as a band?
We all come from a heavy perspective, but you’ll find Andrea Bocelli, NoFx, Marillion, George Michael, Hanz Zimmer, Dead Can Dance and all sorts of other stuff in our CD collections. We’re 90’s metal heads at heart though I think.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
It means something. More than just bashing out cool tunes with your mates (it is that too), but it’s also a time capsule. We’re heading towards the most uncertain future we’ve ever faced as as the human race, and if we don’t shout loud enough things aren’t going to get any better. We also have some drums, guitars and some shouting.
What’s your live show like – why should the baying hordes troop over to the stage you’re playing on to watch you?
The live experience is Intense, and very heavy. As the band has progressed over this year it has become clear that the bigger the show, the better we play. There is something in these songs that is writhing to get out. Like a spirit trying to communicate through a medium. We leave literally everything on the stage during the performance. You live this life only once. Holding back is not an option.
When/how did you find out you’d been selected to play at Bloodstock?
We were asked to play the finals of Metal 2 the Masses last year as a guest appearance and Simon Hall was in attendance. So we turned up to 11. He made his mind up that he wanted us at Bloodstock pretty quick I think.
What sort of setlist can we expect?
We’re aiming to mix up the variety in the set compared to a normal headline show. Definitely changing it up leaving out the normal opening track and juggling the tempos of the following tracks etc. Keep you guessing. We’ll be bringing all the heavy hitters for sure.
Which main stage band do you most hope you’re not clashing with so you can see them play?
Heart of a Coward. Those boys are going shake the place to bits I reckon. Great act for the main stage.
What are you working on at the moment?
Currently recording the vocals for the second album. As soon as the first album sessions were wrapped up I took my stuff home and carried on writing so there’s not been a cooling off period in any way. The new tracks were written in a much closer time frame compared to A war… It’s turned out way more aggressive and is definitely heavier on the production side too. If you liked the first album? Well, you’d better buy some adult nappies.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
Honestly? I can’t even begin to mention some of the things we’ve seen over the years. There was a guy we met at a festival Gutworm played in the U.S who kept all his t rolling stuff in a severed hand. Not a tin or pouch like a normal person. Actually in a dead rotten severed hand. We’ve seen worse though. Ask us in person.
What advice would you give to a young band just starting out today?
Be honest with yourselves. If your songs suck, write better ones. Practice hard and regularly. Be ionate about what you sing about. Nobody really wants to meet Satan or hack up bodies for fun. Apart from our severed hand friend. And surround yourselves with trustworthy people who understand the business and can help you. You don’t have to do it alone. Especially if you want to genuinely take your band to the next level. Most important of all… look cool.
If you could be part of any 3-band line-up who else would you have on the bill? One band above you and one below – a chance to plug a smaller, unsigned act!
Well I would have said Decapitated but we’ve just toured with them, so I (guess) I’ll have to go with Meshuggah headlining, us main and a brilliant local band from Northants called From Eden To Exile. I’ve just recorded their debut album at my studio (Initiate Audio and Media). It’s going to make some waves next year I’m sure.
What stage / time are you playing at Bloodstock (if you have your slot yet!)
I believe we’re third on the bill. Not sure on times yet. You’ll have to check the Krysthla Facebook page and official website (merch available!) to keep up to date with times.
