Interviewed by Georgi & answered by Xaphan

Hails Xaphan. First of all let me congratulate you for the great production you have released. "The World, The Flesh and The Devil" reaffirmed the great concept and the respect I had of your band. Is there something would you like to say before starting this interview?

Thanks a lot. Your words on our newest album are much appreciated.

There are a lot of people who does not know too much about Kult ov Azazel; I know this question is maybe a cliché, but it is real, so...Could you tell us a little bit about your band.

Xul and I formed the band back in April of 1999. Over the years since then and with the utilization of session members we have recorded and released “Order of the Fly”, “Triumph of Fire”, “Assaulting the Masses”, “Oculus Infernum” and the newest release “The World, The Flesh & The Devil” along with numerous compilations and splits with Krieg, Horn of Valere, Vrolok, Satan’s Blood, Humanicide, Obitus and Thy Lord. The current lineup is myself (vocals/guitar), Xul (vocals/bass), VJS (guitar) and Hammer (drums).

I have heard some influences of bands like Emperor, old Marduk and Satyricon in you music and old Black Metal school in your riffs overall, but what do you think are your main influences?

Well I know my main influences musically are Venom, Possessed, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, early Sodom, Destruction, Beherit, Darkthrone and old Mayhem. The top two being Venom and Darkthrone but in no way does it show through the music I write.

Nowadays it is kind of hard to find bands with your raw power; I do not know if this is because the most commercial thing is melodic Black Metal ala Cradle of Filth in continents like yours or Europe for example, because here in South America and in some other places there are still bands with the old influences. What do you think about it? What do you think is the reason for this happening?

I think the whole symphonic thing is mainly a European trait. In reality the majority of bands from America are quite the opposite of what you have described them as. I see bands from here being as you see bands from South America. Either way, we’ll continue playing our style of black metal no need to worry that we’ll get soft on future releases.

If you had to make a comparison between your previous releases and "The World, The Flesh and The Devil"...What would it be?

None. It’s like comparing night to day so to speak. The new album surpasses any of our older material in every aspect.

Once I read a band who said humanity is a disease...What do you think? Is mankind a real disease? If you notice about this question I am trying to get the answer of your last production's name...hehe... What is the cause of everything happening in this world? Is it really man who does this or is he influenced by the evil force of the Devil?

Humanity is definitely a disease unto itself. The key to its own end being man is his own enemy. Everything happening in the world is cause by religion when you get down to the very core of it. The war on terror, based on religious ideologue. The jihad against all infidels, based on religion. In fact very few wars or conquests have been carried out for purposes other than religion. Until mankind wakes the fuck up and realizes that its entire belief system is based around fairytale nothing will change.

If you believe in Satan you have to believe in god, that is an assertion I think is true... What is your concept of god? Why following Satan and not god?

And your assertion is correct if we are talking in a belief concept based around any religion. If we are going to speak hypothetically than it is only obvious why someone with such beliefs and of conscious mind would choose to “follow” Satan as opposed to God. In a biblical sense God represents oppression of thought, self-loathing, weakness, just all around a master/slave relationshop so if such characters really existed I myself would tread the path of Satan. I most certainly do not believe in God as a omnipotent creator of mankind, sitting in the vast heavens taking notes on who’s naughty or nice, deciding the fate of mankind. My concept is that energy never dies. The human soul is nothing more than a kinetic energy force and being such it continues perpetually. Once the body exhausts this force in the instance of death it must return to its original source and this source is the beginning, the end and all in-between. It’s what many wish to believe to be a bearded old man sitting among angels in his self pronounced throne or the pointy tailed red man with pitchfork in hand.

Why Kult ov Azazel and not another name? Could you explain us the meaning of your nickname?

Azazel throughout religious myth has been linked to war, rebellion, defiance, nonconformity, hate and destruction. He’s long been regarded a defiler of humanity, a demon with 7 serpent heads, 14 faces, and 12 wings, known as “Lord of Hell, Seducer of mankind”, and was also the angel who refused to bow down before Adam. For these reasons we choose to anoint our kult under this name. Xaphan was the fallen angel that set fire to the heavens during Lucifer’s and the rebel angels war against God and his lapdogs.

Personally, I love to sin... What do you think is the best sin and why?

Blasphemy of all forms for the simple fact that in invokes terror or anger in those that believe in the concept of sin.

Do you like to read? What are the best books you have ever read and you could recommend us?

I haven’t read anything in a long while. In the past I was an avid reader but my time is too hectic to find the time to sit down and read a good book. When I do have time for something it’s not reading.

What percent of your life do you consider is Kult ov Azazel in your life? What do you think would you be doing right now if you were not playing with your horde companions?

The band takes up 100% of my time all the time. If I wasn’t doing this I would be out running sound on many more tours than I currently do.

What are your plans for the future as band and person?

As a band we’ll be touring in the Untied States during the month of August with Blood Storm, Teratism and Horn of Valere. After we done with that we’ll begin writing the next album. As for the personal side of things I can’t really say.

Thanks so much Xaphan for taking a time to answer this interview. Would you like to add something?

As always thanks for the interview. Also propaganda and further information on the band can be found on the web @ kultovazazel.com. Up the horns…