Paul Castles caught up with the UK’s Krysthla as they prepare to unleash their new album and a live set on the main stage at this year’s Bloodstock Festival.

Krysthla play the Ronnie James Dio stage on Saturday 10th August

ZT: Worldwide Negative is the band’s third studio album – Was the approach in any way different this time around?
A little we guess but we produce material all the time so again it’s really a snapshot of where we are now and have been for the couple of years.

ZT: Give us an insight into the vibe that runs through these songs, it’s quite dark?
It’s a more introspective record in terms of its content. It’s less about “us vs them” and more about you vs you. The war inside your yourself in other words.

ZT: How would you say your sound has evolved since your debut album in 2015?
It’s definitely evolved and we’ve added more layers and textures. It seems to be moving that way generally but without missing any of the savagery of the first album. Thanks to the endorsement with EVH we really got a crushing guitar tone on Worldwide Negative.

ZT: How did things piece together in the studio?
The same as usual really, we have always worked the same way. We had to record the guitars three times over because we wrote a new track mid-session and wanted to include it.

ZT: Did you consider getting any guest musicians to join you for a song?
No, we always work just as a five piece. We understand why people do it, but it’s not really our thing. We also like to reproduce the recorded album as closely as possible live, so we like to be faithful to the original sound.

ZT: Away from Krysthla are any of the band members involved with any additional musical ventures?
Only Neil (Hudson) who is owner and producer at Initiate Audio and Media – he produces other bands, mostly metal. There are no side projects musically though, we all give 100% to Krysthla.

ZT: You have some live shows coming up. I guess you’ll be playing some of the new material on this tour?
Yes, we will be. We’ve already played Zero Sum Game a few times, and as the album beds in we will slowly introduce more tracks into the set.

ZT: You’re playing Bloodstock for the third time this year, but for the first on the main RJD Stage – That must be a career highlight!
Yes!!! It’s a great opportunity and we are honoured to be entrusted to open the main stage.

ZT: Krysthla have gone through the stages at Bloodstock, from the smaller ones to the headline – so that step up can be made with hard work and talent?
We’ve actually only done the Sophie stage and now the main stage with Krysthla. In our old bands we first played back in 2004 when Bloodstock was still indoors in Derby Assembly Rooms.

ZT: Any plans to play overseas?
We’d love to go touring in mainland Europe again. We are always looking for opportunities to spread the word and increase the fan base. There’s a big world out there and we’d like to see a lot more of it.

ZT: After Bloodstock will you be able to squeeze in a few more shows at the tail end of the year?
Yes, there are shows running from September through to early December. All details are on our website.