Interviewed by Zartan & answered by Xaphan First I ask for you to explain about the name change of the band who before was only AZAZEL and today is called KULT OV AZAZEL! We changed it after we released the "Order of the Fly" mCD and became aware of other bands who had used the name or that at the time were still using that name. Since we did not want to be confused with any of these other bands we changed the name. "Order of the Fly" was released in 1999 still under the name of AZAZEL and in 2000 re-released by Blood Fire Death Rec (as KULT OV AZAZEL) and this one would contain a live track "Gardens of Shadows". I ask you if a different versions of the music had been made or you had only rewritten "Order to Fly" with a bonus live track being that this was the first work of KULT OV AZAZEL and needed something more...? Nothing like that at all. The "Order of the Fly" released under Azazel was self financed by Xul and myself. We printed all together 200 of these and decided it was enough. So after we decided we were changing the name of the band BFD approached us about releasing it. Since we had changed the band name we thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to reissue it under the new moniker. So that's the story behind that and the only reason we threw a live song on there was to make it a little different from the self released one. When hearing the CD "Oculus Infernum" I had the sensation of going back to the 80's. Is this the impression that KULT OV AZAZEL wants to express (the strong and cutting ground variation is incredible)? We are only expressing ourselves and nothing more. Many people walk away with different feelings and thoughts after listening to music and that's what intended. How do you see the current Black Metal scene, I mean, comparative to this new harvest of "fashion" bands that are appearing? I don't waste my time worrying about what other bands are doing. This is no concern for me at all. I stay focused on what we are doing and nothing more. To Goss "The Hammer", you possess one enviable and brutal technique! I ask who are your influences (I could perceive something of DARK THRONE, HELLHAMMER, IMMORTAL...)? You execute the songs in a live setting with the same brutality that was recorded in CD "Oculus Infernum"? The Hammer is not present to answer your questions or take your praise and I cannot answer this for him. Was "Oculus Infernum" licensed in Brazil? Do you know of any Brazilian record labels (i.e. Evil Horde Rec, Chaos 666 Rec, Klosed Circle Rec/Prod., Blasphemy Prod, and other)? Yes, I know of a labels and distributors down there and to my knowledge the new album hasn't been licensed to any of these. I know that Encore Records licensed the new Malevolent Creation for distribution down there so I don't know why they don't don't other bands that are on Arctic Music such as ourselves. Basically no one has ever shown any interest from Brazil when it comes to stuff like this and we aren't going to go begging labels to do shit for us. Never have and aren't about to start doing it now. If labels from outside the US want to license and distribute our recordings and are seriously interested they will come forth. Florida is a great cradle of Death Metal bands and I believe that you they are the only Black Metal band in the state? How has shows of KULT OV AZAZEL been? All shows we have played in the past have been very good gigs. As for us being the only black metal band from Florida, this may have been true in the past but now there's quite a few that have organized over the years. Do you practice black magic and apply it in your daily life? What are your opinions on the "Santaic Bible" and the legacy left by LaVey (RIP)? I think the Satanic Bible was the spearhead for the Satanic movement. It was not for LaVey having the guts to proclaim this as the age of Satan back in the 60's when religion had a tight grip over this country then the Satanic community would not be as far as it is right now. LaVey was the first publicly and inspired many, even ones that like to sling shit about him. But his legacy has lived in and will continue to live on because he's become an iconoclast. AS for myself, I use satanic philosophy and ideals everyday in my life. In the past I performed more rituals 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 music. Do the intergal ones of KULT OV AZAZEL participate in other bands/projects or are only dedicated to KULT OV AZAZEL? Out of everyone I am the only member that does anything outside the band. When duties call I play bass for Hateplow in which I have done both European tours with. Yet to finish the question we are all totally dedicated to this band. I moreso than the others since I do all the mail, interviews, email, website, booking and so forth. Arctic Music has done good distribution for "Oculus Infernum"? The next album will also be released by Arctic Music? Have you guys already started on new material soon? Yes, we have begun writing new material and this will be released by Arctic Music when the time is right. I can't really comment on the new stuff since the songs are still in the beginning stages. I can promise it will be just as devastating as past stuff if not more so. The art of "Oculus Infernum" was splendid Nocturath was responsible for the art, I ask myself where the idea came from to create the art of CD? The idea for the cover was completely different from what was released as the cover. It's just over time, like the songs, it evolved. Nocturath is one of the best when it comes to doing shit like this, he's done many covers for other bands and the way he thinks fits in perfectly with this band. He knows exactly what I'm thinking without me having to say anything to him. He's a great artist and a welcomed addition to the band. Explain to us the concept of the art in "Oculus Infernum" since I couldn't identify it very well. I believe that I see something around objects of torture! And exactly what do the letters speak of? The cover art was inspired by a vision of the reversal of parts in a time such as The Crusades and reflects the lyrics to the title track of the album. Then inside the woodcuts and images interact with the theme of the lyrics and songs making this album homage to the eternal death of purity and sanctity. KULT OV AZAZEL has participated in various splits and compilations with extreme bands. If you were invited to divide work with Brazilian bands would it be accepted? Sure if the bands are good we have no problems with doing splits with them. I know of many Brazilian bands that we'd do splits with if the opportunity arose. In the meantime though we aren't doing any splits except another with Krieg in the future. Great Xaphan and thanks for the yielded time. I wish to KULT OV AZAZEL victories with Oculus Infernum and continue to blaspheme against the cursed Christian society! Is there something more that you want add to the pages of Anaites Zine? Thanks for the interview and I wish you much success with Anaites Zine. Anyone interested in more info on the band or merchandise can summon us on the internet at www.kultovazazel.com or at Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Fort Lauderdale FL 3307, USA. Revelabitur atrocitas Infernum!