Interviewed by Chris & answered by Xaphan Would you please introduce KULT OV AZAZEL to our readers? How long have you been existing, have there been any line-up-changes during your career? Kult ov Azazel was formed almost 3 years ago. Since the conception of this band there has been many lineup changes, but this happens to be only with drummers. Both Xul (bass/vocals) and myself (guitar/occasional vocals) formed this band and have always been the core members. What's the meaning of the band name at all, I mean isn't it a bit unusual to write "ov" instead of "of"? We were originally just called Azazel. But later changed the name so we would no longer be confused with past or present bands of the same name. Azazel through out time been associated to war, destruction, non-conformity, rebellion, and so on. Many I suppose will find the spelling of our name unusual but that's the magic of it. We aren't your typical everyday people. Besides spelling "of" as "ov" is much more sinister looking and I think visually more aesthetic. Have there been any releases before `Triumph Of Fire`? I guess there must have been some demos... There was the demo mCD that we self released to 200 copies called "Order of the Fly". This was our first ever recording. The after that came the Kult ov Azazel/Krieg split Cd that was released by Genocide Music. Then the last release "Triumph of Fire" which was our first full length unleashed last year. Which are the bands you're mostly influenced by? Has anyone of you played together with other bands before KOA? The bands that influenced me the most would be Venom, Possessed, Destruction, Sodom, Mayhem, Darkthrone, and Gorgoroth. There are many more bands that had had much impact on me musically but I would say that those I just listed are the main ones. Both Xul and myself have played in previous bands. Xul played with a band called Devoured by Darkness and then went on to form Erebus. I played in a band called Coprophagia and just last year did a tour of Europe as bassist for Hateplow. How would you describe your music? There are also some Death-Metal-influences... I would describe our music as nihilistic black metal. I don't see any DM influence in the riffs that I write but can understand how people can get this idea by listening to tracks like "Legions Unleashed" and "Embrace the Burning". The reason behind this is those songs were written by the drummer that sessioned for the recording of "Triumph of Fire". His roots both in drumming and writing are in death metal and to be honest those are the two songs I despise ever recording out of all our recordings. We really did it because that was his payment for recording the album with us, that he could write 2 songs but these two songs you will never hear us play live. Who was responsible for the cover-artwork and the sound on `Triumph Of Fire`? A good friend of mine did the cover work. His name is Josh Bowens and he also did the cover for the Kult ov Azazel/Krieg split CD. For the sound, we recorded at Studio 13 with Jeremy Staska. We worked closely with him on the sound and mix down of the entire album. Phil Fasciana had some input into it too. I'm really happy with the why it all came out. Can you understand those bands which want to keep their Black Metal as primitive as possible, both concerning the technical skills and the ugliness of sound...? Yes I can understand and appreciate these types of bands. In fact most of the black metal I listen to would fall into this "primitive and ugly" category. That's all well and fine for these bands if that's the outcome they are seeking. As for Kult ov Azazel, this is not for us. We don't want polished recordings but yet want everything to be heard in the mix. I think we achieved a great sound with "Triumph of Fire". Is KOA your definition of ultimate Black Metal? Why? I wouldn't say this band is the definition of ultimate black metal but rather an extension of continuing to play black metal with no compromise. Usually Florida has been an area where most of the bands have dedicated themselves to Death Metal: Are there any Black-Metal-groups around besides KULT OV AZAZEL? Not really. There are Black Witchery and Cryptic Winds. What makes you playing this raw and extremely brutal Black Metal? I guess, Florida isn't the worst area to live in. It's not the best or the worst but I like it here. What really makes me continue what it is that I do is because it's an extension of myself. I would be doing it even if Kult ov Azazel did not exist. What do you think about the current US-Black-Metal-scene? Do you think KULT OV AZAZEL is a part of it? Who really cares what I think about it nor do I care if we're considered part of it. It's got its good bands and it's bad bands, it's little dramas and everything that comes with that shit. I don't get mixed up in any of that bullshit and figure if I'm not involved with these people I have nothing to worry about. People can shit talk and say what ever they fucking want about us but the bottom line is it means nothing until they back their words with truths. I used to be in contact with a lot of people and now only keep contact with very few. We wish no part in drama or childish games. What do you think of the following bands: EXILE JUDAS ISCARIOT PROFANATICA GODLESS NORTH NOCTUARY THORNSPAWN BLACK WITCHERY FOG I will not sit and critique every single band you mentioned but I do like all the above-mentioned bands and maintain close contact with a few of them. What's your opinion concerning the typical BM-clichés like war/corpse paint, spikes, leather, bullet-belts and so on...? Are those items important for a band like KOA? There's a lot of energy in a visual presence. When you have a band standing in front of you wearing all the above mention combined with the music they are creating and the energy and thought they are putting into the songs then there's something very ritualistic and powerful about that. Kult ov Azazel does incorporate all of these into the band because it's a continuation of a traditional and the imagery creates that certain atmosphere needed to convey a message. Have there been any concerts for KOA? With which bands did you play yet? What can we expect from a KOA-gig? Yeah we have played many shows throughout our existence, some being with Inquisition, Black Witchery, Absu, Thornspawn, Krieg, Ouroboros, Noctuary, Gnostic, Infernal Oak, Cadaver Inc., Goreaphobia, Amon Amarth, Krisiun, Diabolic, Mayhem, Abazagorath, Black Mass, Immolation, Goatwhore, Vader, Deeds of Flesh, Hate Eternal, Exhumed, Dismember, Kataklysm, Angel Corpse, Cryptic Winds, Hateplow, Divine Empire, Demonic Orgy, Hibernus Mortis, Premonition, Dying Fetus, Cephalic Carnage, Disgorge, and Mortal Decay. Recently there's been a European-tour with KRIEG, INQUISITION and GODLESS NORTH: Have you ever thought about doing something like this? Consider there's a huge financial risk (but it`d be great to see KOA playing over here in Germany)... Yes, I know all about this tour, we played with Krieg and Inquisition in Texas just days before they left. Yeah I would instantly do some kind of tour like this if someone financially backed us so we could get over there and if we could arrange our work schedules to allow us to come over. Which books could you recommend someone interested in spiritism, occultism, mysticism etc? I'd recommend books by LaVey, Crowley, Waite, Carroll, Nietzsche, Rand, Mathers, and King. What are the most essential ideas (concerning philosophy etc.) brought upon this earth during the last century? I guess there must have been too so much indeed because everything has been explored in this or another way long time ago... To be perfectly honest with you this is nothing I think about. You are correct in stating that everything has been explored in one way or another over the entire existence of human civilization. But if any one philosophy or philosophies has been most essential during the last century my answer would be Satanism and Nihilism. What do you think: Is there still something like this "DM against BM "-ideology alive within the scene? Don't know, don't care. Seems to be a lot of it on the Internet but in everyday life, I don't see this. Have you yet any plans for the follow-up to `Triumph Of Fire`? Have you yet composed any new songs perhaps - how do they sound like? Well the next CD, call it a follow up or whatever, is going to be a live CD titled "Black Mass Consecration". It will be approximately 13 tracks, 9 tracks taken from a show we did back in August, 3 new studio songs, and a cover of Beherit's "The Gates of Nanna". Not sure if the cover will make it on but it's been discussed and looks likely. We haven't really begun writing so it's hard to say what kind of turn the riffs I have will take once Xul and I sit down to write. What do you think about this trendy wave of Black Metal-bands which claim to copy the Scandinavian idols? Do you believe people should have any idols at all - isn't this a sign of weakness at all? Having any form of "idol" is weakness, yes. I understand that people are influenced by what others do (be it in music or anything else) but to worship or deem the people that have caused these influences as idols is outright stupidity. Not only that but to blatantly copy another band or strive to be like that band is totally fucking unoriginal and these bands are nothing more than followers, sheep if you will. No originality equals trendy fucking fakes. Whatever! If a band can't think for themselves and write original material than I would suggest that they find another hobby and sell their musical gear. Alright, the last few words go out to you: Add anything you'd like to add...! Thanks for the interview. All propaganda and agendas for Kult ov Azazel can be found at www.kultovazazel.com or you can write to Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33307, USA. Hails to all legions worldwide that continue to embrace true fucking black metal and always remember that Kult ov Azazel is ANTI-YOU!!!