Interviewed by Heinrich & answered by Xaphan Please, tell the history of the group. What were the releases of Kult Ov AZAZEL? What is expected in the future? The first formation of the band came in beginning of 1999 when Xul and I joined forces and since we have been the backbone of this horde. We recorded our first demo mCD "Order of the Fly" later that year in which Von was summoned to perform drums. In 2000 we invoked Hellspawn to provide the battery for the recording that would become the Kult ov Azazel/Krieg split CD. The summer of 2000 we signed a contract with Arctic Music and then called upon Vetis to appear on drums and with that came the release "Triumph of Fire" which was released March 2001. Since the beginning we have been through many drummers, I have left many out since they never really contributed anything except wasted time. But I am pleased to say that we have found a permanent drummer and have also added another guitarist into the fold so currently the line up is Xul on bass/vocals, myself (Xaphan) on guitar/vocals, Nocturath on guitar and Goss "The Hammer" on drums. This will be the lineup that you will see on the next album which will be titled "Oculus Infernum". What made you to create the group? What is the main aim (purpose) of Kult Ov AZAZEL? Passion for making extreme satanic and dark hymns. The main purpose of this band is to spread as much misery, hate and antichristian propaganda as possible. American black - metal is well-known with such bands as Judas Iscariot, Krieg, Kult ov AZAZEL, Profanatica, Havohej. Is there are any new names on a stage? There are many great bands from this soil. Inquisition, Thornspawn, Averse Sefira, Infernal Hatred, Bloodstorm, Grand Belial's Key, Gnostic, Ibex Throne, the list is endless. In continuation of the previous question. What groups you deny on the American stage? These bands I won't even give the privilege of mentioning them. Death Metal. Your attitude to this style? In America there are many Death Metal groups. Whether you interested in this style? I use to be but death metal has become stale and stagnant to me. I do still listen to the older bands that first popped up in the late 80's/early 90's that pioneered the style. But I quit buying any death metal albums about 1994, but there are some bands out there that still have it. Your opinion of the situation on the world black - metal stage. What are the reasons for style degradation? What groups you like? The reason for this degradation is simply these bands were not true to what they projected, simple as that. As for the bands I like these would be old Mayhem, Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, Corpus Christii, Malleus Maleficarum, Infernal Decay, Setherial, Impiety, Gospel of the Horns, Maniac Butcher, Abigor, Impaled Nazarene, Antaeus, Belphegor, Besatt, Mutiilation, Nargaroth, Ungod, Witchbane and so on. The members of Kult ov Azazel are Satanists. It is obvious. How you can determine Satanism for yourself? What does is mean for you? Satanism, to me, is mainly a philosophy. I am a Satanist because I identify with the darker force of what is known as human nature and carnality. Many people have a different opinion on what is means to be a Satanist or what Satanism is. The definition really lies within in oneself. Only you know if you are truly satanic or not. How do you think, what is the supreme essence of Satanism, Worship the DEVIL? No, to worship anything other than yourself is ridiculous and down right idiotic. Worship of the devil is the worship of a deity created by christianity and I do not buy into any of that inverted christianity bullshit. A devil worshipper is no different than a god worshipper meaning they are both christians. One worships the Christ child and the heavenly father, the other denies these things in favor of the opposite, the devil. The supreme essence of evil is rising above religious dogma to be yourself and think for yourself with out being manipulated and controlled by others. Shedding all religious morals and dogma – this is the true essence of evil. All black -metal groups of USA - Satanists. In Europe the most spread are pagan, folk, viking, etc ideas, and Satanism is less spread. In what is the reason on your sight? I guess that's because right winged christianity rules America. Most people I will venture to say that were born pre-1987 have been raised in a religious home or have had some ties to religion since they were born. My family was not what one would call overtly religious and when they did make it to a church it was only for special holidays. So growing up I was able to make my own decisions and ask my own questions about this so called god and his rule of law therefore making my own decision that I did not buy it. So for this reason I hated every time I was a child when I had to get up and go to listen to some backwoods preacher talk about this imaginary creator, because in my mind and this still holds true today that anything created must have a creator, if god created man out of his image then another creator created this god for some reason or another and this is just an infinite cycle if you think about it therefore making the assumption of a "God" hogwash. So to answer your question, Europeans have their roots in paganism where as the founders of America had theirs in christianity. So in Europe you have these bands shedding religion to go back to their ancestors beliefs as where in America you have the bands/people shedding christianity for Satanism or some form of it. Tell, why you have chosen such name for the group. Why AZAZEL? Why Kult ov AZAZEL? What sense you invest in this name? Azazel in religious mythology is a demon associated with war and destruction. We as a band project these themes through our music. That is why we have chosen to be known as Kult ov Azazel. In continuation of the previous question. What is your vision of the Cult of Demon AZAZEL? More widely - the Cult of Darkness? Is it the organization, the union of the sons of Dark spirit or what? Your ideas. Honestly I don’t even understand this question but I will attempt to answer it. My vision is that of dark spirited individuals gathering and renouncing all of religions morals and teachings and fighting the war against these scum bags that wish to impose their beliefs upon us with the goal to be it’s final destruction. Your attitude to LaVey? His ideas is it Satanism? Many ones say it is not Satanism, but LaVey's in which basis the Hedonism lays? His ideas is it the Path of Darkness? I respect LaVey for having the balls to challenge the christian ideology and church. Many say what came out of his writings and works is not Satanism and that he was not satanic but I disagree greatly. The people that say this are stuck in the clutch of christian dogma. Basically they are too wrapped up in it's fairy tales to even begin to understand. Whether the extremism is inherent to you? Is it obligatory (necessary) for the ones going by the Path of Darkness? What it should be - internal, or including external? How you understand internal extremism? I would say that extremism is inherited in me. I have always felt and thought the way I have since a young child so in my everyday life I would say it’s very internal yet through the band it is seen more externally I believe. How you have followed for the Dark Way? Why you have chosen the Darkness? It’s just the way I was born. I did not choose the darkness, the darkness chose me. It’s not easy to explain how I have followed the dark path in words. I guess it would be easier to say it has been through books, music, and movies. I have lived my life rejecting all of the bullshit that the church preaches and follow my own set of rules. Also I would say that Kult ov Azazel is a continuation of the dark path my life continues to take. Unhuman. The one left the borders of being human. You follow this? How do you understand the destruction of human essence? I do not follow your question but think that with evolution and as humanity evolves it will ultimately destroy itself. 666 + 88! Many ones mix these two Ways, trying to be those whom they are not. Your attitude to this? In what of distinction between these Ideas? It's pretty evident the distinction between these two ideals, I shouldn't have to spell it out but will. When it deals with anything promoting hate and destruction, evil and blasphemy of the bastard's church then it is black metal. When it has to do with changing the world politically and is submerged in political jargon it is not. In continuation. NS Black Metal is it Black Metal? Black Metal it is the music of Darkness, instead of aryan ideas. Your opinion? My opinion is that life affirming ideals and political nonsense belong no where in black metal. Your attitude to treachery? Slow painful death to all traitors! Your prime target in the Dark Path? To lay waste to mortal life. Who is the Devil for you? What your heart tells you about Him? My heart doesn't tell me shit about a devil. This word was invented by subhuman religions back in the beginning of times to signify the desires and wants that are only natural. Overtime many religions, Judeo- christianity as the biggest example have bastardized these and formed a secular religion out of fear and deceit, to keep the masses weak. So to me there is no such thing as a Devil since I do not believe in fucking religion. No Devil, No God. Only life and death. Religion has absolutely no validity. You said that Darkness chosen you. What or who is the face (manifestation) of Darkness for you. The manifestation of darkness is mind and soul. When you can look deep into yourself you shall see, I don't know any other way to explain this. Why and for what the Darkness chosen you. Is it only music or you can see another way of self-realization. I say this because all my life I have been drawn to the things that others normally would not be drawn to. I mean what I find pleasing and interesting others find disgusting and horrible. The darkness choose me for the simple fact that I have always had stronger feelings for what is considered evil as opposed to good when put on a scale of good and evil. It's the music, my soul and my life, it's how I feel and think. No better way for me to describe it. What relations (connection) do you have with Church of Satan. Nothing other than my support. And why in the hell does this seem to be a major question when coming from oversea zines? The Church of Satan has nothing to do with this band so it doesn't matter what relations I have with them, my pet, what kind of food I eat or any other irrelevant things. As for you, Satanism and its vision by LaVey, is it the same or the various phenomena. I respect LaVey for his writings, as I do other writers on what they have contributed to literature but think what LaVey brought forth was more of a philosophy since religion demands the existence of a god/devil where modern Satanism does not need these. So yes it's much different than religious Satanism which is inverted christianity. Everything requires its time . Whether you agree with it. I suppose. Church of Satan has made the conclusive contribution to decaying of this world. But whether its existence and ideas still actual now. Believe it or not I unlike most people do not sit around concerning myself with what the Church of Satan is doing. I read up on happenings and what is going on just like I do on metal related topics but I don't sit around concentrating on it, all I care about is this band and what this band has got to do. If they have contributed to the decaying of this world then is this not a good thing? I would say so. Satanism and politics. Whether it is worthy. Who cares? I don't follow or care about politics. End of question. Spiritual perfection. What can you say about it. Strive to destroy it. Hail and support! Last words. Hails for the interview. We can be reached through mail at Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Ft. Lauderdale FL, 33307 USA or through the internet at www.kultovazazel.com. All inquiries will be answered! Embrace total hatred and destroy your temple of god!