Interviewed by Artur

Hails Xaphan. Please introduce Kult Ov Azazel to your evil nihilistic music and your current line-up and hopefully offend some faggots who may have hoping to find some pop black metal?

Kult ov Azazel plays pure black metal. No sissy keyboard opera bullshit, but real satanic, barbaric, vicious black metal! We formed in the spring equinox of 1999 under the infernal name Azazel consisting of Xaphan (myself) on guitar/vocals, Xul on vocals/bass and Von on drums. Around June of 1999 Von was kicked out and Hellspawn took over drum duties. In the spring of 2000 we kicked out Hellspawn, decided to change the band name to Kult ov Azazel and signed a 4 album deal with Arctic Music. In March 2001 we released our first full length “Triumph of Fire” with Vetis participating as a session drummer on that release. In July of 2001 we finally had a permanent drummer and in 2002 added a second guitarist. The full permanent lineup now consists of myself (vocals/guitar), Xul (vocals/ bass), Nocturath (guitar/backing vocals) and The Hammer (drums).

Tell me what Kult Ov Azazel assaults on Judeo-Christianity have been spread so far, in how many copies, which ones are sold out and which ones are re-edited for most of your devoted soldiers and feel free to mention few blasphemies about them?

Under Azazel we released:

“Forever Heaven Gone”- Cassette - 1999 – Promo (ltd. 100 copies-out of print)
“Order of the Fly” MCD - 1999 - self release (ltd. 200 copies-out of print)

Under the banner of Kult ov Azazel we have released:

“Of Evil and Hatred” Cassette - 2000 – Promo (OOP)
“Order of the Fly” MCD - 2000 - Blood Fire Death Records (ltd. 50 copies-OOP)
“Gather Against Humanity” 4way Split - CDR – 2001 - Christcrusher Records
  (ltd. 300 copies - OOP)
“Kult ov Azazel/Krieg Split” CD – 2001 – Genocide Music (still available)
“Triumph of Fire” CD - 2001 - Arctic Music (3000 copies-OOP)
“Triumph of Fire” LP - 2002 - Arctic Music (ltd. 300 copies-OOP)
“Order of the Fly” LP - 2003 - Autopsy Stench Records (ltd. 666 copies-OOP)
“Assaulting the Masses” LP - 2003 - Autopsy Stench Records (ltd. 666 copies-OOP)
“Kult ov Azazel/Satan's Blood Split” 7”EP - 2003 - Autopsy Stench Records
  (ltd. 1000 copies- still available)
“Grandaevus Dæmonum” Cassette - 2003 - GoatowaRex
  (ltd. 500 copies-still available)
“Oculus Infernum” CD - 2003 - Arctic Music (still available)
“Black Mass Consecration” CD - 2004 - Inquisition Musik (ltd. 300 copies-OOP)
“Triumph of Fire” CD [Reissue] - 2004 - Arctic Music (still available)
“Order of the Fly” Cassette - 2004 - Sephiroth DP (ltd. 333 copies- still available)

Your newest act of hate "Oculus Infernum" is fucking killer in the KOA tradition, but it’s definitely not part II of "Triumph Of Fire”. Would you say you are completely satisfied with the result? In what ways do you feel it improves already vicious nature of "Triumph Of Fire"?

Yes I am completely satisfied with the results. With "Oculus Infernum" you get what we have been trying to achieve since we formed this band. Unfortunately on past albums we did not have capable drummers that were able to play what we envisioned and that changed a lot of the vibe and direction the songs took once put to drums. Yet now we have a drummer that grew up on what I grew up on, 80's thrash, speed, black and death metal. This helped a lot once we incorporated The Hammer plus with the addition of Nocturath who contributed to writing on some of the songs, I think this is by far the best stuff we have executed both lyrically and musically. In my opinion it is the best material we have written or recorded. There are still things I wish I could go back and correct or change but all in all I am very satisfied with how it came out.

By adding second guitarist Nocturath you added more thicker tone to your songs. I would say they sound faster during some parts and even a little more melodic; unfortunately the mix of guitars is not high enough to hear most of them?

I agree and that is what I just meant when I said that there are certain things I wish I could go back and change. The guitars are too low in the mix and the kicks need to come down some as well but not much we can do about it now. Maybe sometime down the line we will be able to remix it but that’s highly doubtful. But adding Nocturath into the fold was definitely a good add to the group as well. He has a completely different playing style than I do so it keeps me from getting in a rut and just overall brings more thickness to the guitar sound.

At what age did you become interested in playing guitar and who had a major impact on you musically? Who are your favorite guitarists?

I was interested in playing guitar around the age of 8. I started out listening to Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, AC/DC and stuff to that extent. Then later Iron Maiden, WASP, Mötley Crüe and from there I discovered Venom, Bathory, Exodus, Possessed, Slayer, Kreator, Sodom, Destruction and the list goes on. But it was when I heard Venom's "Welcome to Hell" my musical revelation occurred. I would say that at that moment in time that I had found a style of music that I related to. I have never had any favorite guitarist so to speak. For me it’s always been the over all band and their music that inspires me not any individual person.

Do you feel that "solos" are considered almost as "a lost art" by black metal bands? What would you say is the essence of Kult Ov Azazel sound?

I suppose if you are the type of person that likes to hear solos. I am not one of those types of people. I see solos and the entire solo trickster shit as nothing more than musical masturbation. It’s only gratifying to the one doing it. I would much rather hear killer rhythms played rather than some guy showing off his knowledge of modes and scales. The essence of the Kult ov Azazel sound… now that is a difficult one. I don’t know exactly so I will leave this for others to answer.

Do you have a preference for type of equipment? How important is equipment to the production of the music?

It all depends on what kind of production you are going for. It is a know fact that if you use shitty equipment with shitty components you will in turn get a shitty production. I can tell you this because I know from experience being that I am a sound engineer. I do prefer certain equipment over others just as any other musician does. My set up is simple and basic though. I use a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier into two Marshall 4x12 Cabs and for effects I use the Boss Metal Zone and a Boss Suppressor pedals straight into the Mesa. This is the configuration I have used on both the “Triumph of Fire” and “Oculus Infernum” recordings. I also have a Marshall JCM800 Lead Series head as a back up and when it is employed I use the same effect configuration as I do when using the Mesa. For guitars it’s either Jackson or BC Rich with EMG humbuckers. My main axe is a ’89 USA model Jackson RR Flying V thru neck with a Kahler tremolo. My backups are both BC Rich, both are NJ series, one a Warlock the other an Ironbird, both with Floyd Rose tremolos which I fucking hate so I have had them modified and locked.

Please tell us about the lyrics. Is there a theme or message that you are trying to convey through them and from where do you get your anti-Christian inspiration to write KOA lyrics?

The underlining theme and inspiration comes from a complete disdain for Christianity and all other forms of monotheistic religions. In the past Xul had done the majority of the lyrics but on "Oculus Infernum” I wrote pretty much lyrics to the whole album, with Xul contributing lyrics for two songs and Nocturath contributing lyrics for the title track and none of the songs have a common thread running between them. There are a lot of metaphors used throughout our lyrics so sometimes one must read between the lines to get the meaning. The lyrical themes cover opposition to piety and self righteousness, torture, nihilistic and satanic philosophy, the rebirth of evil, the eradication of holiness, death, pain, resistance, conjuration, destruction and eternal suffering.

You are under wings of Arctic. How Have they been treating you since you’ve been signed and how this union came about?

The union came about through my friendship with Phil Fasciana of Malevolent Creation. He and their manager Scott Hecker started up the label in 2000. I at first was asked to work for the label and to do their web design and internet related stuff. I took up the offer and not long after he mentioned that our band should move into the Malevolent Creation warehouse since at the time we were both using the same session drummer to write material. We agreed and after he witnessed us prepare for a show we were doing he asked if we’d be interested in signing with the label. Scott then asked me and we took the offer. Up until then we had actively been sending our demos and releases out to labels trying to get some kind of album deal but nothing was happening and the whole Arctic signing came out of nowhere and by coincidence. But the relationship has been very good. Scott and Phil have helped us out tremendously. We are given free will to do whatever it is we please from an artistic standpoint, unlike most labels that like to force their ideas and ways upon bands. We have had total say in the recording of every album we have done on Arctic and even produced this last effort by ourselves. They have done a great job in promoting our releases and getting them out there. All I can say is that we are very grateful for all the support they have given us since we signed with them.

Is Kult Ov Azazel a live band and what can we expect from KOA gigs. What was some of the bands most memorable shows? Any tales of stage/backstage orgies, rituals or debaucheries?

One can expect to be eviscerated both mentally and spiritually. Musically our live rituals are pure fucking blasphemy and projected hate transformed into musical torture. We believe that the intensity, the music and the atmosphere will get the point across just fine. We aren’t a band that uses props or theatrics since gimmicks aren't our thing. Over the past 5 years we have performed many live rituals with the most notable being the Sacrifice of the Nazarene Child Festival IV with Inquisition, Thornspawn, Absu, Ouroboros, Krieg, Noctuary, Infernal Oak, Gnostic & Black Witchery, the Uberfest with Cadaver Inc., Abazagorath, Black Mass, Goreaphobia, Unholy Grave & Afflitus, the show we did up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania w/ Blood Storm, Decieverion, Eviscerator & Final Carnage and the most recent being the Northern Lights Festival in Toronto, Canada with Melechesh, Morgion, Teratism, Goat Horn, Thy Flesh Consumed, Aesma Daeva, Wetwork, Unexpect, Malefaction & Lapidate.

How did you get into metal music in general and how did you discover underground? What was your first tape, lp, cd you bought? Which past and modern bands are most important inspiration and motivation for Kult Ov Azazel?

I got into metal through the natural progression of starting out from rock-n-roll. My cousin turned me onto a lot of rock when I was growing up and over the years it just progressed. The first tape, well actually it was an 8 track tape that I bought was Kiss “Destroyer”. The first heavy metal album that I bought was Iron Maiden’s “Killers” and not much longer after that I discovered the underground. My neighbor, this dude Brian Shipman, turned me onto Venom and recommended a ton of other bands for me to look into and buy. So my first underground album bought was Venom’s “Welcome to Hell” and Venom to this day remains the most influential band ever on me. Other bands that are just important are Bathory, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Possessed, Sodom, Mercyful Fate, Destruction, (first) Exodus, (early) Slayer, Kreator, Bloodfeast, VoiVod, (early) Metallica, Hobbs, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, Beherit, Acheron, Burzum, Impaled Nazarene, Blasphemy, Dissection, Unleashed, Bestial Warlust, Hypocrisy, Profanatica, Infestdead, Abigor, (early) Deicide, Pungent Stench, Morbid, Angel Corpse, Behemoth, (early) Morbid Angel, (early) Samael, Onslaught, Havohej, (early) Marduk, (early) Immortal, Setherial, Abruptum, Von & Black Funeral.

Who in your opinion from the past are worthy people who has inspired and help you to formulate your point of view? What kind of literature or movies you’re enjoying to read/watch?

Those people would be LaVey, Crowley, Waite, Carroll, Nietzsche, Lévi, Mathers, Mikael Bakunin, Alhazred (Simon), H.P. Lovecraft and De Sade. The types of books I enjoy are ones on the occult and satanic topics or true crime novels. As for movies these would be horror, exploitation, nunsploitation, 70’s satanic sinema and pretty much all movies of occult/satanic nature.

Usually the black metal image is mixed with things like the howl of the wolves, rise of the moon, desolate forests freezing mountains, etc...What wonderful sense represent for you shapes like that? What is nature for you and how do you look upon ancient Gods and religions?

All those images granted are associated with black metal but I do not see forests or freezing mountains as being inheritably satanic or evil. For me it’s pentagrams, baphomets, magical sigils, inverted crosses, grave desecrations, church arsons and things such as these. Images of those things are far more of an impact on visualizations than howling wolves and full moons not too mention much more sinister. On the subject or how I look upon ancient gods and religions the answer is this, I look upon them no more differently than I do conventional religions and that is as fairy tale.

What do you think is more important to focus on use as a weapon against Judeo-Christianity? Is it music or actions, or both?

Both can be very efficient weapons against the enemy. Monotheism needs to be fought and reduced to the nothingness that it is be it through word, music, fist or weapon. So if people want to take it to a more physical level then by no means will I discourage it. I say what ever it takes to get the job done. I believe that music is action and for myself, I find using this band as a weapon against religion more productive. Music has changed the course of many things throughout history and will always be a vital tool in spreading propaganda and planting the seed to make that change happen.

How deep goes your knowledge about Judeo-Christianity? Have you ever read the bible or been to one of their churches?

I was born in the South, in Tennessee to be exact. Half of my family was southern Baptist and the other half Presbyterian so yes I am very familiar with said subject. I grew up in the middle of the bible belt of the United States so I have plenty of hate and disgust towards all things religious. Luckily my parents weren’t as strict as other family members and once I was of age to make my own decisions I rejected church and god and from there I have never looked back. I have read the bible as I have read other religious texts in the past; you must do so in order to know your enemy.

What are your thoughts about Satanism in general? As a Satanist do you believe in Demonic word, do you practice any rituals,...?

Satanism to me is a philosophy and is the belief in oneself with the recognition that ritual is needed in strengthening ones mind and will. It is the attainment of inner knowledge as well as embracing the darker forces of life. Satan is the symbol and metaphor that represents undefiled wisdom, enlightenment, strength, power and free will through individuality. Most of all the representation of adversity to all that is considered holy. It is the anti-religion. I have performed many rituals in the past but have not done so since the formation of this band. I instead use this band as my ritualistic vehicle and take the energy and symbolism I would use in ritual and divert it into a tangible form that being the albums we release.

What is for you the meaning behind being a “real Satanist”? What are some stereotypes people have about Satanism?

A real Satanist must be an extreme person with a strong will and must understand the darker aspects of human psychology and behavior. They must be their own master, forging their own path with responsibilty for their own actions, and understands that most of humanity is weak and filled with mindless sheep that would rather follow than lead. I think we all know the stereotypes that people have about Satanism so I won’t even get into it.

Do you see yourself as a fighter? Is that an ideal you feel that is integral in Black Metal?

I don’t think being a fighter has anything really to do with black metal, trust me there are many black metal musicians out there that couldn’t fight their way out of a wet paper bag. I myself am a fighter, I like to argue, and I am very stubborn and can fly off the hook very easily. It has to do with my Irish German heritage most likely. I have always been a scraper since I was a kid. Growing up I was always into fights but I am now 32 years old and have mellowed out somewhat over the years. I am not as confrontational as I used to be but at the same time I won’t fucking back down, if someone wants to go I will fight tooth and nail and use any necessary means to destroy them.

Is there a second down? Do you believe in reincarnation? What about fate or destiny?

I don’t know and I suppose no one will until the time comes. I do believe in fate/destiny which can also been known as karma. I believe in something like reincarnation but it is not reincarnation as that is the rebirth of the soul into another body. My theory has more to do with the scientific than with anything else. The soul is kinetic energy and this never dies, it is forever continuous. It will forever exist and through the balance of nature and with the progress of life or the coming of death it is taken and used as needed, this does not apply to just in human or intelligent life but in all things that are formed of molecules and atoms.

Are you into porno movies, if yes who is your favorite star? Do you practice any sort of sex magic? Any kind of non-music related hobbies (such as alcohol,etc...)?

Sex magic is something I have never fully explored. When I want to fuck I want to fuck, there’s a lot of preparation that goes into doing a ritual and when it comes to fucking preparation and ritual is something I don’t need. I am into porn but I don’t have any favorite stars as porn to me is only good for one thing; spilling ones seed. It’s not something I am constantly in need of but it does rule to have when on the road! As for hobbies, can’t say I have too many of them. I guess sleeping would be one and I like to collect horror, exploitation, nunsploitation, 70’s satanic sinema and pretty much all movies of occult/satanic nature on DVD.

Tell me some of your sickest dreams and what mind frame were you when you had these dreams?

I never remember my dreams, I don’t know if it’s from the booze, pills and other substances consumed before I go to sleep or if it just a mental block of some sort. Sorry to disappoint you on this question but not much I can say if there’s nothing that I remember.

Returning to the band: what can we expect from Kult Ov Azazel in this year? What are some of the short/long term goals you’d like to accomplish with the band?

We will be recording a new assault in 2005 which will be titled “The World, The Flesh & The Devil”. 2 demo tracks from this can be found on our website. We have also completed the recording of a new track and a Sodom cover that will be released on a split 7” with Krieg. Other than that we are setting up a West Coast tour for the United States and will be doing a lot more live rituals in the coming future. Things are really about to get rolling with this band. The time is now and we’re going to grab it by the horns and fucking decimate everything within our path.

Thanks Xaphan for your patience and time. Any last words of anti-Christian propaganda you’d like to spread?

666 fucking hails and much appreciation goes to you for including us in 7 Gates and allowing us this opportunity to spread our satanic filth. Those that wish to get in contact with us can do so at Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Fort Lauderdale FL 33307, USA or online @ www.kultovazazel.com. Quod est Inferius est sicut quod est Superius, et quod est Superius est sicut quod est Inferius!