Interviewed by Artemi & answered by Xaphan So first of all introduce yourself and your mighty band called Kult Ov Azazel. Some biographical, discographical facts and main or most interesting events in your band. I am Xaphan and the guitarist for Kult ov Azazel. The other members of the band are Xul on bass and vocals, Goss "The Hammer" who was recently added on drums and the newest member Nocturath who will be taking up 2nd guitar duties. Kult ov Azazel was form by me and Xul in 1999 and we hail from Ft. Lauderdale Florida. Up to this point in time we have released a few promos/demos, a mCD titled "Order of the Fly", a split CD with Krieg and the full length "Triumph of Fire" both on CD and vinyl. Tell us what was the main reason to play such kind of metal music? What can you say about influence on KOA? Do you want to bring any ideology to the listeners of your music? May be you want people see this world through your eyes of feel this life as you feel one? I don't care about people or what they think or feel. I don't wish to do anything with our music except spread hate and contempt towards monotheism and religious thought. If there's any ideology to the band it is definitely rooted in the philosophy of Satanism and a nihilistic outlook on life. The reason I began playing this extreme kind of music would be the bands that inspired me back when I was around 12/13 years old, these bands being Venom, Destruction, Possessed, Sodom, Bathory and the list goes on. I was in my early teens when the era of thrash/speed metal was rearing its head and therefore the majority of these types of bands influenced me in beginning. At this point in time these were the bands with the most extreme music and extreme ideals so it was there that I started. Then as time evolved and the 80's came to a close I came across bands like Beherit, Blasphemy, Darkthrone, Mayhem, Gorgoroth, you know the bands and these also helped to influence me musically. Can you say that KOA is 100% satanic band and you play Black Metal for Satan? And here tell us about your relationship between KOA and Church of Satan, do you believe in all their shit, as for me their ideology for stupid sheeps like Christians, as for me COS is only business center for making money with the help of weak people. So your comments… The relation between this band and CoS is nothing more than support. Not only that but no one else in this band has ties with the CoS but myself, and as I stated it's merely support. I have hardly any contact with the CoS or ones within it, I can count on one hand the people that I am in contact with, so once again like I said it's out of support. I don't think this organization rips people off; they aren't making you send them money. If you choose to support someone or something you do it yourself not for any other reason. I think LaVey made some very good points in his writings and even tapped into some things which can be very useful in applying to ones own existence but that is what you would call my opinion. Obviously not everyone has the same opinion and for that reason I have tried to keep the affiliation that I have with CoS or anyone in its ranks separated from this band. So the question is are we 100% satanic band? Well depends who you ask and what perspective they look from. I say we are, others say we aren't. Do we worship a "devil" or Satan in as anthropomorphic deity? No. Do we worship the "devil" or Satan as a force of human nature and carnality? Yes. To worship evil and darkness in the form of a "god" is no better than the ones that worship a "god of love and life". Neither I, nor anyone else in this band adheres to any christian doctrine and to worship anything other than ones self would be no better than these worthless spineless creatures called christians. We play Black Metal to show out hatred towards anything holy and for the human filth that follow. Can you say that KOA is still only underground, traditional Black Metal band? In some interviews I read that you would like to play live together with such bands like Dark Funeral and Marduk, but many of UG black metallers against this bands 'cause they play only for money and for joke. But from other hand music of two this bands is uncompromising and fast, but their labels is shitty posers like osmose and no fashion which have nothing to do with real spirit of UGBM. I am not traditional black metaller I am totally into NS and here I only want to know what think you. So your comments… I don't understand this mentality that people have where it matters what label a band is on or if this label is true or not. The point is this, who fucking cares? The reason bands sign contracts with labels is in order to get financial backing and distribution and if you can get these 2 things from a label then in my eyes you are doing good. Besides it's all about the message anyhow, what the band is trying to convey or project not the label that puts it out. And fuck if you have propaganda to spread but no one to spread it then it does you no good, you should not have wasted your time since no one will ever hear it. I still say we are a UGBM band and say we will always remain one. I'm not one to sell out or to compromise my beliefs for no one or anything so there is a point where you have to draw the line or just quit if it becomes about the money and not the music. For this band it was always be about the music and the symbolic message that goes into it and if this band is still around say 10 years from now this statement will still be true. Also here what can you say about Thornspawn and 'bout fact that osmose productions will release their new material? I think that if BM band on osmose it is not underground band more. What do you think about this? More power to Blackthorn and the Thornspawn horde. Obviously their last label wasn't doing shit for them so if they can get the backing they deserve from someone else I say good for them. I think Thornspawn is one of the best that resides here in the US. Like I said I don't give a shit about what label someone is on or get involved with all the drama that goes on with people and labels. I know bands that have been on Osmose that say it was the worst thing they ever did and I know of bands that have stayed on Osmose and are happy with them. So just because Thornspawn has signed to a decent label that will make sure they get the promotion and distribution they deserve doesn't mean they are no longer an underground band. I seriously doubt you will ever see too many of what I call the black metal geeks running out to buy the Thornspawn CD since it is not a very marketable style of black metal, meaning it's not all goth and synth orientated. These types of trendwhores are scared of the style of black metal that bands like Thornspawn and Kult ov Azazel for that matter create. Last year I had interview with Blackthorn where he said many shit about NSBM, I know that you and Blackthorn friend, but what you think about NS Black Metal in general? May be you can say some thing here about any bands? I have nothing against NS black metal but I don't buy into it. I do not see National Socialism or any political agenda having anything to do with what black metal is all about. Granted I understand the hate that goes into the NS message but the whole political jargon that goes with this form is not my thing. I am not of the opinion that we should save our race to protect our children as the 14 words state, I think we should do more to destroy the future of mankind and this means the elimination of man, woman and child. If it walks and breaths then I say it should die. Extinction of all life through hatred and war. And here logical continue of previous question: do you think that between traditional BM and NS BM there is any cold war or it is only words and no more? Are you against NS ideology or you are and KOA loyal? I am loyal to my set of beliefs and standards, nothing more. I do not bow to what others expect so I am not what you would call NS, nor is anyone else in the band although we have all been called bigots, racists and other things at times. What can you say about NS skinheads? And what about skinheads in Black Metal? I can say that the few of them I know are intelligent people who support our horde even though we agree to disagree on certain things. What do you think about your country? Do have any patriotic feels, feel free I do not mean music or something else only your personal views? I think for the most part America is shit. But then again no matter where you live you will think the same thing. I do not have any patriotic feelings but at the same time I consider this soil my home and when attacked I say kill! What do you think about this fact that USA have pro-israel political way and support Israel in war against mid-east? I think the US should stop supporting them, pull the fuck out of there and let jews and the palestinians kill each other off. Fuck the Middle East and their muslim/jew religions. What do you think in general about all this conflict between Israel and Palestin? I think it is good that muslims kill jews and jews kill muslims, doesn't? Yes I agree here. Both want to impose their religion on you and both should be obliterated. But are you ready to fight for your country as American against muslims? Other than in my own backyard? No. But if you want to start a war in America, then yes I will fight to death to protect what is mine. Has nothing to do with my country. So return to ideology of the band. Do you read a lot? Can you say some thing about books and writers whose literature had and have big influence on music and ideology of KOA? I can't speak for anyone else in the band but for myself it's been a lot of occult writings, philosophic books and true crime novels. These are the main interest in my reading since my teenage years. I really have no authors to mention you just have to come across them in your search for good reading. Musically I think I said earlier that it was the speed/thrash metal music coming out in the early/mid 80's. Venom was the first band to have the biggest influence on me and it just grew from there. So overtime I guess it's harder to pin point all the bands that have manifested an influence in me since there have been so many extreme metal bands that I have been inspired by. Can you introduce to the readers of Dictatorial Reign KOA's band with the names of all demons? I know that main role play you and Lord Xul, am I right? His magestic vocal shocked and kills me when I listen to KOA I think that he is one of the original vocalist in all BM underground. Do you have other people who help you play live? Yes, both Xul and I have been the core members of this band since the formation. We have been through many drummers but the only ones that matter would be the ones that have recorded with us. Von played drums on "Order of the Fly", Hellspawn on the split CD with Krieg and Vetis on "Triumph of Fire". All have been session for the most part and we have always been in the situation of looking for a person who would commit 100% to this band just as Xul and I do and after many years it has paid off so as I mentioned earlier we now have Goss "The Hammer" who has taken this position. He is totally dedicated in the cause and a sick drummer. I also mentioned we have added a new demon to the kult who shall be known as Nocturath. He will be taking up 2nd guitar duties. Both the new members will appear on the next album "Oculus Infernum". As for live situations, every show we have played has only consisted of me on guitar except for 2 shows we played immediately following the release of "Triumph of Fire" in which Grell was summoned to assist as a session guitarist but other than that it's always been Xul, myself and whoever at the time we had drumming for us. Last gig of KOA was in San(Satan)-Antonio on the Sacrifice of the Nazarene Child fest. What can you say about this gig and bands which grinded there? It was a hellish fest! All the bands ruled as it was a great lineup. It was an honor sharing the stage with the best of the best when it comes to black metal from this country. Here interview is ended. You may close it as you would like. All hail to KOA and Sieg Heil! Many hails to you Artemi for giving us this interview and for the support you have given to our horde. We can be summoned at Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Ft. Lauderdale FL, 33307 USA or online at www.kultovazazel.com. Hails to all the heathen warriors that fight the war against christianity and other subhuman religions!