Kult Ov Azazel is a black metal act straight from the depths of hell. This statement can be easily proven if you listen to their amazing latest release "Oculus Infernum", whose main point is the speed and hatred that gushes up from the band's very existence. So, read below to see what the bassist and one of the band's vocalist, Xul told us... Interviewed by Christine. FIRST OF ALL CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR LATEST RELEASE "OCULUS INFERNUM"! INTRODUCE THE BAND TO THE READERS AND POINT OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS OF THE BAND'S HISTORY. Hails. Kult ov Azazel currently consists of Xul (myself) on vocals and bass, Xaphan on guitars and vocals, Nocturath on guitars and vocals and Goss the Hammer on drums. The band has been through a shit load of drama with member changes and we finally have a consistent line-up that should hold up. Honorable moments would definitely be the releases of our old material; "Order of the Fly" in 1999 the first year Xaphan and I formed this horde, the split cd with Krieg, "Triumph of Fire", and now "Oculus Infernum". Participation on a number of compilations with amazing bands and playing the Sacrifice of the Nazarene child fest are definitely ranked in our accomplishments. WHY DID YOU NAME THE BAND THIS WAY? WHY DID YOU USE A K INSTEAD OF A C IN THE WORD CULT? DO YOU LIKE THE DEMON AZAZEL? Originally I was doing a solo project named 'Erebus' before I worked with Xaphan. Xaphan was also doing a solo project under the name 'Azazel'; and when we started forming idea's for our collaboration, we both decided to keep 'Azazel' as the final name. When we decided to change the name to 'Kult ov Azazel' we wanted make sure people would not forget about all the work in the underground we put in by changing it to something completely different. While thinking of what we wanted to rename the band it was just natural for us to us the K vs. C. and the ov vs. of because of the occult influence we both have. The name uses old Germanic writing style which suites our intentions and agenda. At the time it was also original....which is not the case now but with leaders their must be followers. TELL US A FEW THINGS REGARDING "OCULUS INFERNUM" AND POINT OUT THE DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITES WITH YOUR PREVIOUS RELEASE. ARE YOU STILL SATISFIED WITH IT? "Oculus Infernum" took a long time to complete due to many issue's concerning the studio, band members' schedules, and writing. The album is really a year old to us but has finally been unleashed. I think "Triumph of Fire" and "Oculus Infernum" is completely different albums, which I didn't like at first but now that I have them both I can definitely see an improvement and variation in technique that shows maturity. The new album has the same unrelenting feel of hatred and disgust for religion but also feels darker. WHY DO YOU HAVE SO PROFOUNDLY ANTI-CHIRSTIAN LYRICS? WHAT INSPIRES YOU AND ATTRACTS YOU IN SUCH THEMES? The only thing I can tell you is that it's a natural disgust. I can't tell you anything you haven't heard before if you've read the lyrics. In OI we developed more with the lyrics and really focused more on anti-xtianity. WHY DO YOU THINK METAL KEEPS INVOLVING SO MUCH THE OCCULT AND RELIGION? Metal is a release of all that is unholy and black. Society deprives humans of these feelings and metal proves that this is natural, or at least for the people who are truly into it. One reason that I listen to music that is based on the occult or religion is because I can relate to it; whether it be interest, knowledge, or experience. WHY DO YOU USE NICKNAMES AND CORPSEPAINT? DO YOU THINK THAT IT'S A TREND YOU ARE "OBLIGED" TO FOLLOW OR A LIFE STYLE CREATING AT THE SAME TIME AN ATMOSPHERE AROUND THE BAND AND YOURSLEVES? We use infernal names and corpse paint to develop an atmosphere to accompany the terror in the music. I learned a hard lesson in metal early on that made me hate it. Humans are involved in it. Humans are fucking scum. I hold metal above humans and the use of corpse paint and infernal names puts us where black metal is....beyond human. NAME SOME OF THE BAND'S INFLUENCES AND SOME OF YOUR MOST BELOVED ALBUMS. WHICH MUSICIANS "HELPED" YOU REALIZE THAT YOU WANTED TO INVOLVE WITH MUSIC? Kult ov Azazel is influenced by war, occultism, death, and anything unholy. As far as favorite albums go....there are way too many to list. Speaking for myself, id have to say Slayer - Reign in blood, Possessed - Seven Churches, Grotesque - in the embrace of evil, Mayhem - Mysteriis dom Sathanas, All Burzum, All Dissection, Destruction, Beherit, I'd be here all day If I continued to list albums as well. The only musicians that made me realize that I wanted to be involved with music were the guys I was playing with before this band and currently in this band. BLACK METAL STARTED AS AN UNDERGROUND ACT GOING AGAINST THE STREAM AND PROVOKING VARIOUS EXTREME REACTIONS. HOWEVER, LATELY WE SEE MANY BLACK METAL BANDS BECOMING FAMOUS. DON'T YOU THINK THAT BLACK METAL AND FAMACITY COLLIDE? Well, I wouldn't say these bands are necessarily famous nor would I call them pure black metal. I think these bands have roots in the genre and a sound that is comparable to black metal. If these bands are doing what they want and not being fed some corporate bull shit then more power to them. I could give a fuck about it unless it affects me. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A FAN, UNFAMILIAR WITH YOUR MUSIC, TO WIN HIS ATTENTION? WHICH IS THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE THING IN YOUR MUSIC? I really don't care if anyone like's the music or not. This is mainly a release for the members in the band...if we get a following and people can attach themselves to it then...whatever. Everyone gets different things out of music and it should be more of a personal venture to truly gain something from it. I think the speed and hate are definitely the most recognizable attributes to the music, especially to someone who has never heard it before. DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR PERFORMING LIVE? HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU? HOW EASY IS IT FOR YOU TO PERFORM LIVE IN USA? IS THERE AN AUDIENCE FOR THE EXTREME METAL BANDS OVER THERE? Right now we have a couple shows that we have been asked to do, mostly one off's in Texas, New Jersey, and New York but due to member schedules I don't think we will be participating. We are currently looking to do a tour but nothing is definite yet. We would like to do more live shows but it is very hard for us. Nocturath lives up-state and Goss lives in New York but is traveling with other bands as a drum tech 75% of the year. The people here in the states are very unpredictable. One show you could have 300 people there and another have 30; different areas vary and promotion is a huge factor. WHICH IS THE SILLIEST THING YOU DID IN ORDER TO WIN A WOMAN'S ATTENTION? I don't degrade myself for other people's enjoyment. IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET THE CREATURE THAT CREATED THE UNIVERSE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ASK HIM? "Why are you such a fucking prick?" as I slit his throat. YOU ARE GRANTED ONE WISH. WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT? I think I'd be a greedy bastard and ask for money. IF YOU COULD TRAVEL BACK IN TIME, WHICH HISTORICAL PERIOD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT AND WHAT WOULD YOU MISS THE MOST FROM OUR TIMES? I would travel back to the Roman Empire to witness the death of Christ. I would miss technology from our time...no cd's or anything would fucking suck. WHAT TITLE WOULD YOU LIKE THIS INTERVIEW TO HAVE? You stumped me...I can't think of anything creative. These interviews are draining. THANK YOU! HAVE I FORGOTTEN TO ASK YOU ANYTHING AND YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION? I think you've got it all here. Thank you for your interest in the band. "Oculus Infernum" will be out June 24th worldwide. Visit our hellsite for the latest news and merchandise: www.kultovazazel.com Void...Horror...Hell.