Interviewed by Carlos INFERNAL HAILS XAPHAN!!!! FIRST, MAKE AN INTRODUCTION OR VOMIT SOME OF BLASPHEMY!!! Kult ov Azazel was formed in the spring equinox of 1999 under the infernal name Azazel consisting of Xaphan (myself) on guitar/vocals, Xul on vocals/bass and Von on drums. Under this name and lineup we recorded and released “Order of the Fly”. Soon after Von was booted out and Hellspawn took over drum duties and with this lineup we recorded and released the material on the split CD with Krieg (USA). In the spring of 2000 we kicked out Hellspawn, decided to change the band name to Kult ov Azazel and signed a 4 album deal with Arctic Music. In March 2001 we released our first full length “Triumph of Fire” with Vetis participating as a session drummer on that release. We have also participated in a 7” split with Satan’s Blood (GER); a 4 way split with Obitus (SWE), Humanicide (USA) and Thylord (FRA) and have been included on numerous compilations. In 2003 we released our second blasphemy for Arctic Music titled “Oculus Infernum” which was the first time we had recorded with a full permanent lineup which consists of myself (vocals/guitar), Xul (vocals/ bass), Nocturath (guitar/backing vocals) and The Hammer (drums). LET’S SPEAK A BIT ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF KULT OV AZAZEL, AND THE FIRST RECORDINGS UNDER THE NAME OF AZAZEL!!! Not much to say about it since we only released the “Order of the Fly” mCD. It was released in like June of 1999 and although I personally am still satisfied with the way it came out I definitely think we rushed too quickly in order to get it out. That’s one of the reasons why we redid some of the songs on the “Triumph of Fire” CD. I think it could have been done much better but there’s no reason to dwell on it, I think it was a good release for us then and still think that today. WHICH BANDS WERE INSPIRATIONAL TO YOU AT THE FIRST TIMES OF THE BAND? Venom, Bathory, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Possessed, Sodom, Mercyful Fate, Destruction, (first) Exodus, (old) Slayer, Kreator, Bloodfeast, VoiVod, (old) Metallica, Hobbs, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, Beherit, Acheron, Burzum, Impaled Nazarene, Blasphemy, Dissection, VoiVod, Unleashed, Bestial Warlust, Marduk, Hypocrisy, Profanatica, Infestdead, Abigor, old Deicide, Pungent Stench, Morbid, Angel Corpse, Behemoth, (early) Morbid Angel, (old) Samael, Onslaught, Havohej and I am sure I'm forgetting many more. LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR LINE UP... ARE NOW THE MEMBERS OF K.O.A. THE BEST LINE UP FOR IT? The Hammer has been a giant asset to this band with his drumming so he was obviously the right choice from the day the tried out for us. As for adding another guitarist, it was something Xul and I had been thinking about doing for some time. We had actually planned to bring in another guitarist after we recorded “Triumph of Fire” but certain circumstances prevented us from doing so. When we began writing on “Oculus Infernum” Xul and I decided it was time and we asked Nocturath to join. But overall by having a full band brings much more energy into the fold for us all to feed off of. When there are new members and they use different techniques and styles than you it helps to build new ideas and riffs; it brings something new, interesting and refreshing into the writing process. WHAT MEANT SATANISM FOR YOU? A REAL LIFE PHILOSOPHY, A SYMBOL OR SOME KIND OF INSTRUMENT AGAINST THE ROTTEN CHRISTIAN EMPIRE??, TELL ME ABOUT... Satanism to me is a philosophy and is the belief in oneself with the recognition that ritual is needed in strengthening ones mind and will. It is the attainment of inner knowledge as well as embracing the darker forces of life. Satan is the symbol and metaphor that represents undefiled wisdom, enlightenment, strength, power and free will through individuality. Most of all the representation of adversity to all that is considered holy. LET’S TALK ALL ABOUT THE GENOCIDAL “OCULUS INFERNUM” LP!!!!!!! It’s definitely a lot more darker than our pervious releases from the artwork to the music. The music is more varied this time round and to me has more feeling to the riffs. It was tracked at Rhythm Track Studios which is now defunct and mixed and mastered at Studio 13 where we recorded “Triumph of Fire” and is what we have been trying to achieve since we formed this band. I personally I think this is by far the best stuff we have executed both lyrically and musically. WHAT MEAN THE LYRICS FOR YOU? LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE BEST LYRICS YOU HAVE MADE SO FAR!!... WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR YOU, THE MUSIC OR THE CONCEPT AND MESSAGE BEHIND? Our lyrics stem from our own personal involvement with the occult and the feelings we harbor towards a filthy, blinded monotheistic society. I do not have the time nor do I want to waste my energy going over every individual song itself since the lyrics can be interrupted in many ways. I will just tell you the basic underlying theme is those of satanic and nihilistic ideologies. So far the best lyrics I have written have been those on the “Oculus Infernum” album since it was the first album we have done where I contributed 80% of the lyrics. WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THE RE-EDITIONS OF THE DEMO “ORDER OF THE FLY”, WHY ONLY 50 COPIES UNDER BLOOD FIRE DEATH RECS? I can say that it was released to only 50 copies by Blood Fire Death. Not much other than that besides it contained a bonus track which was a live version of the song “Garden of Shadows”. But this recording has been released in various formats over the years. It was released on vinyl LP back in 2003 and it was just released for exclusive South American distribution just recently this year on cassette. It also was included on the “Black Mass Consecration” CD which was a recording of all our material from 1999-2001. So it’s been easy available over the years. TELL ME ABOUT THE KULT OV AZAZEL LIVE PERFORMANCE RITUALS!!! WHAT DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING LIVE YOUR BLASPHEMOUS HYMNS??!!! It's not so much as what would you see but rather what would you hear. Visually we aren't very pleasing to look at; we just get in our zone and go. I myself usually don’t remember too much after, it’s like a black out yet at the same time an out of body experience. We aren’t a band that uses props or theatrics since gimmicks aren't our thing. We just believe that the intensity, the music and the atmosphere will get the point across just fine. Musically it is pure fucking blasphemy and inherit hate transformed into musical torture. We want people to leave eviscerated both mentally and spiritually. I THINK THAT K.O.A. IS ONE OF THE GREATEST HORDES INTO THE BLACK SCENE OF U.S.A; DO YOU THINK THAT IN THE FUTURE K.O.A. WILL BE SOME KIND OF “CULT BAND”? We certainly appreciate your support but I don’t know what will happen with this band some years down the road. It’s too soon to tell and to be honest with you not really a concern of mine. HOW IS YOUR COMPOSITION PROCESS, WHAT YOU MAKE FIRST, METAL, LYRICS...SPEAK ABOUT! With the new album we went about writing quite different than we have in the past. In the past songs were written by an individual and then brought to rehearsal where as this time around we’d get together as a band and write the songs. But generally the music is written first and the lyrics are always the last piece of the puzzle. The music always evokes the lyrics, not the other way around. DO YOU SUPPORT THE TOTAL HUMAN EXTERMINATION?!! WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE PERFECT FINAL TO THE FILTHY AND PATHETIC HUMAN RACE??!!! We support the extermination of the weak and mindless and this pretty much includes all of the human race. The perfect end and only way to finalize the deal would be through nuclear warfare. That would be a sure way of killing off humanity completely. THERE ARE TOO MUCH PEOPLE WHO SAY THAT “TRIUMPH OF FIRE” IS THE BEST K.O.A. WORK!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS? Don’t care. If that is what they think great, but “Oculus Infernum” is by far the best material we have written and recorded since our formation. People have their opinions, I have mine. HOW DO YOU THINK THERE’S MUST BE THE REAL BLACK METAL? WHAT KIND OF BANDS ARE FOR YOU A FUCKIN AND WEAK FALSE SHIT!!!!!! To be real black metal it must be the embodiment of hatred, destruction and blasphemy in musical form. That’s it plain and simple. As for what bands I think are weak I’ll just refrain from mentioning any names. The last thing I want to do is give any of them any publicity. They know who they are and they can all fuck off. DO YOU LIKE BATHORY? WHAT DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE DEATH OF QUORTHON? Bathory was a big influence on me, especially his first 4 albums. It’s a shame that he passed at such a young age but such is life. We all die one day. He was a big influence and will always remain one on me but I’m not crying over his death nor does it bring me any sadness. I have many Bathory releases that will keep his spirit and music alive. THERE SOME ANY UPCOMING TOUR OR GIG? ARE YOU WORKING IN A NEXT RELEASE, MAYBE A NEW SPLIT? We will be recording a new assault in 2005 which will be titled “The World, The Flesh & The Devil”. 2 demo tracks from this can be found on our website. We have also completed a new track and a Sodom cover that will be released on a split 7” with Krieg. Other than that we are setting up a West Coast tour for the United States and will be doing a lot more live rituals coming in the future, possibly even some South American and Central American dates. MAKE A LIST OF YOUR ESSENTIAL BLACK METAL STUFF!!! AND RECOMMEND ME SOME ACTUAL TRUE U.S. BLACK METAL HORDES? PLEASE WRITE SOME WORDS ABOUT THESE ONES!!!! In no particular order: Krieg, Inquisition, Xasthur, Thy Infernal, Noctuary, Thornspawn, Black Witchery, Burning Winds, Vukodlak, Demonic Christ, Weltmacht, Crimson Moon, Robed in Exile, Decieverion, Infernal Hatred, Grand Belial's Key, Humanicide, Averse Sefira, Cryptic Winds (RIP), Ibex Throne, Maskim, Capra Hircus, Blood Storm, Hemlock, Gnostic, Devastator, Vrolok, Open Grave, Teratism, Averse Sefira, Abazagorath, Sumeria, Kathonik, Demoncy, Cult of Daath, FOG, Exile, The Cold Beyond, Khisanth, Crucifier, Nachtmystium & Bloodshed Divine. ARE YOU AND THE OTHERS MEMBERS OF THE BAND PLAYING IN OTHERS HORDES? OR MAYBE MAKING A ZINE, WORKING IN A RECORD LABEL, DISTRO:::? I play bass in Hateplow when needed. Since it's the Malevolent Creation guys’ side project it doesn't take up too much of my time. It's something they do on their down time and mostly since I joined in 2001 it has only been European tours. No one else in the band has any side projects or anything else going outside Kult ov Azazel. AVAILABLE KULT OV AZAZEL STUFF?? Merchandise available is the "Northern Lights Festival" t-shirt which is limited to 60 prints and was printed exclusively for the festival which we have very few of left. We also have the “Oculus Infernum" t-shirt printed w/ silver ink and the Christfuck" t-shirt. All shirts are double side print and can be viewed on our website @ www.kultovazazel.com. We also have the "Oculus Infernum" CD, "Triumph of Fire" 2004 reissue CD, Kult ov Azazel/Krieg split CD, KoA/Satan's Blood split 7", Assaulting the Masses" live 12" LP and the “ Grandaevus Dæmonum" & “ Order of the Fly" K7s. Shirts are $20 USD, CDs are $16 USD, LPs are $18 USD & K7s are $6 USD. All the prices include postage and can be obtained through Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33307, USA or through our website. We can also be reached about merchandise at K6U6L6T@kultovazazel.com. OK WARRIOR, THAT’S ALL!!! WRITE YOUR HATEFUL FINAL WORDS AND SEND A MESSAGE TO THE REAL CHILEAN BLACK METAL WORSHIPPERS!! ! THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT, HAIL SATAN!!! Hail and thanks for the interview and for the exposure through your zine and among the Chilean hordes! Horns up to the legions worldwide and a middle finger to the rest of you fucks, Quod est Inferius est sicut quod est Superius, et quod est Superius est sicut quod est Inferius!