Interviewed by Vasili & answered by Xaphan

Hail Xaphan! Please tell us something about the biography of your horde and what is the latest news?

Hail Vasili! We have released a few things over the years. I will leave out the insignificant shit like promos and comps, but our first was a self released mCD titled “Order of the Fly” released under the moniker Azazel, then later released under Kult ov Azazel on Blood Fire Death Records and soon to be released for the last time on 12” vinyl. After that we joined forces with Krieg and released a split CD and then a 4 way split CD with Obitus, Humanicide and Thylord. Then in 2001 we signed with Arctic Music and released our first full length “Triumph of Fire”. So that puts us up to where we are now and that’s finishing up on the new album “Oculus Infernum”.

For me is Kult ov Azazel one of the best Black Metal hordes from the timely Us_ Scene. It´s very interesting to know about the reaction in the scene about the stuff of your horde? Is it true that the debut album "Order of the fly" is total sold out? I believe "Triumph of fire" too, right?

I thank you for your words on our horde, but the general consensus is that we are not a typically like band, nor to we care to be. It’s an honor to have others that aren’t mentally handicapped that can appreciate what it is we are doing. Even if no one liked us we would still be going, creating blasphemies and propaganda that would make people hate us even more. So basically what I am getting at is there are mixed reactions by people, we have people in the US that support us and ones that hate us, same with other countries. When it comes down to it I don’t really give a shit. I’m not here to please people. As for the “Order of the Fly” and “Triumph of Fire” yes both of the releases on CD format are out of print. We still have some vinyl copies of “Triumph of Fire” left. These were only printed to 300 copies and will never been pressed in vinyl format again. “Order of the Fly” will be released once more in vinyl format before that recording is finally laid to rest as well.

Kult ov Azazel is not only the best Black Metal horde from there , it is one of the famous too. Of course with killer bands like: Absu, Bloodstorm, Demoncy, and Profanatica. But I´m sure that Kult ov Azazel are here in our scene very unknown. Have some labels interesting from here to sign your horde?

I don’t think we’re famous, at least I hope this not the case. I think we have made a name for ourselves, be it good or bad, but famous, definitely not! Yes we have had contacts with labels from Germany. In fact Autopsy Stench Records from there will be the label responsible for the vinyl release of “Order of the Fly”. This same label will also be releasing the “Assaulting the Masses” Live LP and a split 7” with us and Satan’s Blood.

The US- Black Metal scene is not so big than here, but it’s very intensive. What can you say about the scene there and which horde are your favourite at the moment?

The scene here has some very good bands and some very bad bands, not much different than any where else in the world. Right now and for sometime my favorite band from the US has been Inquisition. Others I support are Krieg, Thornspawn, Blood Storm, Infernal Hatred, Averse Sefira, Shroud of Despondency, Gnostic, Dead to Earth, Demonic Christ, Absu, Xasthur, Decieverion, Open Grave/Humanicide are ones that directly come to mind. Let’s just say there are quite a few bands here that I find worthy of my support.

I find the stuff very brutal and very hateful. Do you think that Kult ov Azazel have a own character between other bands from there?

I think so. I don’t feel we are doing anything that other bands from here are doing. We have our own way and sound and don’t try to mimic anyone else. I have been told by many that we are not like the majority of the bands here. Regardless we’ll continue doing what it is that we have continued to do and that is write and release the music that comes from our darkened souls, not to be a copy of any other band.

What do you feel when you play your stuff and why do you play of all thinks Black Metal?

Black metal has always been a form of music that has very strong ties to the dark side of life. It’s always explored occult and satanic paths. I have been this same type of person. Since hearing Venom’s “Welcome to Hell” back in 1983 I have always felt a connection with forms of music that is evil and blasphemous. I play black metal because it is opposition to all that is holy; it is the music of the antichrist. It is the fist in the face of all religion.

What are your musical inspirations?

My musical inspirations are Venom, Destruction, Bathory, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Possessed, the first Exodus album, Slayer only up until Reign in Blood, Hobbs Angel of Death, Beherit, Blasphemy, Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, old Marduk, old Mayhem, Setherial, Acheron, Impaled Nazarene, Mercyful Fate, Sodom, Behemoth, Profanatica, fuck man I could go on and on so I’ll just leave it at this.

I’m sorry brother; I don’t have the lyrics of your releases. Please tell us something about it? Are for you the lyrics an attack against the christian way or is it more?

They deal with all sorts of occult/satanic themes. From astral projections to Black Masses. We also write about our hate for humanity, our rejection of religious dogma, and blasphemies aimed at the sheep that are mindless pawns of society. Yes our lyrics are an attack on christianity but at the same time they also explore subjects that ourselves are intrigued by.

You come from the sunny Florida which is famous for surfing (only for gays...hahaha) and nice girls. Do you think it is a good place for the inspiration for your music and for the lyrics?

Yeah it’s just as good as any other place as far as I am concerned. I don’t base what I write musically or lyrically based upon my surroundings. So to live in sunny Florida or rainy Washington wouldn’t affect my inspiration at all.

What is your opinion about the fucking church? How deep is your hate about it?

The Church is nothing but an institution that was formed to do nothing more than control people with blind faith and to reap terror to those that don’t bow to it. The church preaches nothing but hypocrisies. Fuck the church and all that the church stands for! This also goes for synagogues, mosque, chapels, monasteries and any other institution that embraces a lowly messiah.

Here in Germany is it forbidden to say fuck the jews or shit like that. For me is it the same when I say it about the christians, muslims or whatever. How is it in the USA?

What do you mean by forbidding? Do you mean you can go to jail for saying these things? If so it is not like that here. You are free to say what ever you feel in the US but that doesn’t mean that others won’t say you are racist, a bigot and the like, or that the government won’t keep tracks on you. But you can not get into much trouble for using these words. Fuck all subhumans, be it jew, christian, muslim, hindu or some other crazy fucking religious offshoot.

What would you make or say when you meet Jesus Christ on the street? I know brother a very stupid question?

I would nail the fucker to the cross again, and as he hung dying burn the fucker to the ground.

What was your first gig which you have seen?

My very first gig ever was C.O.C. on the Animosity tour.

You have played last year on the Sacrifice of the Nazarene child fest which is one of the best and extreme Black Metal festival in the scene. Which experience do you have made of this gig?

This was a great honor for us to have taken a part in. It was extremely crazy from the pre-day carnage to the night of the infernal gathering. Many great hordes played and it was a very strong bond between the legions that came out to celebrate the death of the christian whore. Lot’s of booze and blasphemy, that’s my memories.

What are the future plans of Kult ov Azazel? Can we hope to see your live here in Germany?

There really are no future plans at this time. Pretty much we are just trying to get “Oculus Infernum” finished up and released. There are a few other projects that we’ll be involved with in the works but it’s too early to speak of them. And then there’s the vinyl releases of “Order of the Fly” and “Assaulting the Masses” which both will be out within the next month. There’s also no plans to come to Germany, maybe this will change once the new album is unleashed, maybe it won’t. We’ve never been asked to come over to do any shows, therefore we haven’t.

Any last words ..............

Thanks Vasili for the interview and many hails for your support! We can be summoned at Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33307, USA or at www.kultovazazel.com. Revelabitur atrocitas Infernum!