American band Kult ov Azazel are developing notoriety for their personal brand of blistering and brutal black metal, wielding heavy riffs and grindcore influence to a thoroughly black metal atmosphere and sound. I spoke to frontman Xaphan to learn more about the ways of the Kult… Interviewed by Fir Darrig. Kult ov Azazel are becoming quite established in the underground. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how the band got going - with so much meaningless shit nowadays, what is your intent and your aims? Kult ov Azazel was formed in the Spring Equinox of 1999. When we first formed we choose the name Azazel. Under this banner we self released our first mCD titled "Order of the Fly". After gaining good reviews from this release we also found out that there existed more "Azazel's" than we imagined. So in 2000 we changed the name of our horde to Kult ov Azazel for the sole effort of distancing ourselves from these other bands. Not long after the name change we re-released "Order of the Fly" under the new banner with help from Blood Fire Death Records. Since this time we have recorded and seen the releases of the 4 way split with Obitus, Thylord and Humanicide (Christcrusher Records), the split CD with Krieg (Genocide Music), "Triumph of Fire" (Arctic Music), "Assaulting the Masses" (Autopsy Stench Records) and finally the newest blasphemy, "Oculus Infernum". Since day one the intent of this band was to play black metal with no compromises, to bring back the way black metal had been and to not be a part of what is was becoming. Our aim was and still is to spread our unholy propaganda to the four corners of the earth, to defile the name of the Jehovah's clan, mock the doctrines of religionist and to sing praises of death and hell!! It is certainly true that many people in Black Metal are trying and failing to re-invent it - in my country for example, we have lots of bands that try to add too much aggression, or of course, the band that adds just a bit too much "Goth". Despite this, Kult ov Azazel isn't just down-the-line norse-style bm; could you tell me some of your musical influences? Most of my musical influence comes from bands out of the early to mid 80's. Bands such as Venom, Mercyful Fate, Destruction, Possessed, Slayer, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Sodom and I think you get the picture there. These are the bands that made me want to play music. Then the 90's emergence of black metal played a big inspiration with bands like Darkthrone, Beherit, Profanatica, Mayhem, Blasphemy, Gorgoroth and many more. So what I guess I'm trying to get at is a lot of my influences come from speed, thrash and black metal. Apart from pushing the boundaries of extremity - a parallel I see between you guys and the old bands is in image and atmospherics; Your song titles are anti-religious and satanic and the vocals are furious! What is Kult ov Azazel's worldview, or rather, what do the lyrics deal with? Also what are your views on the various forms of Satanism and Paganism that exist nowadays? Our worldview is this planet is a cesspool of ignorant and useless humans so when individuals stray from the path of monotheism seeking other forms of spirituality/ideology then I think this is a good step in the right direction. Our lyrics on the other hand touch upon the occult, nihilistic ideologies, the call to battle against monotheism, and profaning the name of Christ and his sheeple. So do you see your music in itself as a weapon against Christianity, or something else? What do you think about more extreme, physically manifested anti-christian acts? Should these be encouraged or discouraged? Yes, of course I see our music as a weapon against Christianity but not only this religion, but others that preach monotheistic morals and attitude. Our music is not only a weapon but an outlet for the expression of our beliefs and ideas. My view is this, monotheism needs to be fought and reduced to the nothingness that it is be it through word or music, fist or weapon. People make the decision themselves if they want to take things to a higher caliber, be it forming a band to express their hatred or going to destroy a church. It's the latter that doesn't take into the account the criminal aspects that their actions involve. I on the other hand have, because I'm an intelligent person and can think without having others cloud my thinking. So if people want to take it to a more physical level then by no means will I discourage it. But for myself, I find my existence outside a prison to be more efficient than if I were locked away for some criminal actions. Being outside of a jail means I'm more of a threat to religion than the guy that is locked up and forgotten about. From an outside view, the American scene is producing the a lot more underground metal than other countries - England produces little, whereas Europe spews out a lot of power/goth/inferiority complex stuff. How close is this to the reality as you see it? How do Kult ov Azazel fit into the undergroud, or indeed overground, Metal scene? I am in agreement with you about the scene here. But at the same time you have left out countries such as France, Germany, Poland, and Canada that have many great hordes coming out of them. I don't know how this band fits into the underground. I just know we aren't what you termed as "overground". We are just doing what is natural for us and remain true to ourselves. You did mention several good Black Metal areas....What modern bands, American or not, do you respect? The bands I respect are Inquisition, Merrimack, Thornspawn, Revenge, Eternity of Darkness, Impiety, Black Witchery, Malleus Maleficarum, Averse Sefira, Cryptic Winds, Ibex Throne, Maskim, Capra Hircus, Tenebrous, Bloodstorm, Temple of Baal, Ouroboros, Belenos, Belphegor, Burning Winds, Vukodlak, Corpus Christi, Demonic Christ, Weltmacht, Robed in Exile, Nargaroth, Darkest Hate, Operation Winter Mist, Decieverion, Infernal Hatred, Grand Belial's Key, Humanicide, Gnostic, Open Grave, Rheinkraft, Teratism, Krieg, Xasthur, Averse Abazagorath, Sumeria, Kathonik, Demoncy, Shroud of Despondency, Cult of Daath, The Cold Beyond and I'm sure I'm forgetting tons of others. Personally, my introduction to you was through the Krieg split, where you matched their melancholy and blistering spite with brutal anger and hatred...what do you thing about Krieg and how do your political/religions beliefs compare? I have the utmost respect for Imperial and Krieg. As far as I know we both share the same beliefs although this is nothing that we have sat down and discussed in depth. I'd say our interests and ideology are the same from past meetings. Are you planning any similar collaboration with other bands in the near future? What new terrors do Kult ov Azazel have in store for us? The newest terror is "Oculus Infernum" released by our label Arctic Music. This is the follow up to 2001's "Triumph of Fire" release. Also soon you'll see the Kult ov Azazel/Satan's Blood split 7" released through Autopsy Stench Records out of Germany. Then in the fall of this year Regimental Records will release "Oculus Infernum" on vinyl with a gatefold layout with a bonus 7". These will be limited to a 500 copy only run. Also in the plans is the 3 way split with Operation Winter Mist and Decieverion also to be released on Regimental Records. Can't say for certain when this will be out. Thats my questions over, thanks very much for your time. I'll leave the final invocation to yourself.... Thanks for the interview. For additional information on the band and merchandise/releases check out www.kultovazazel.com or you can write to Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Fort Lauderdale FL 33307, USA. Be sure to pick up a copy of the newest release, "Oculus Infernum", for 8 tracks of absolute profane black metal!!! Horns up to all that have stood in alliance with us over the years and those that chose to ally themselves with our horde!!!