Interviewed by Safinaz & answered by Xaphan Hell-o How are the things in these days in your side? Quite busy but in all going well I suppose. How would you introduce the story of Kult Ov Azazel. When and how did you come together? The band originally began with me doing everything by myself under the name of Azazel around '98. In the year 1999 I met Xul who was doing the same thing under the name "Erebus" and he was at the time in his life where he was also looking to make his project a full band as I was so we decided to join forces and keep the name I was using. So in April of 1999 Azazel was formed. After releasing a mCD and a few promos we learned that there was way too many fucking bands using the name Azazel and we were being confused with all these other bands so in 2000 we changed the name to Kult ov Azazel. What were your aims when you first formed the band? Do you believe you are on your true path and realize your aims? The aims then are the same as they are today and that is to make total holocaustic black metal and to spread our hatred and blasphemy to the four corners of the earth. When you first formed your name was Azazel, Why did you change the band name? What is the relationship between your band name and your music? Like I said a few sentences ago, we changed the name to distance ourselves from the other bands that have or currently are using the name. The demon Azazel was a demon of war and destruction and in some myths is the personification of evil and the music we create reflect these characteristics from the lyrics to the music written. What about the band members? Who are consist of your line-up? Do you think this line-up is permanent? Over the years many drummers have come and gone. But in the year 2001 we found a new drummer and in this year, 2002, we have added a 2nd guitarist. So at this point in time the line up is as follows: Xul - vocals/bass, Xaphan - guitar/vocals, Nocturath - guitar and Goss "The Hammer" - drums. I do believe this lineup is permanent. What do you do behind band? What is the position of band in your lives? All my time is spent writing music, answering pretty much all interviews, answering snail mail, mailing out merchandise bought, pretty much just doing everything for the band. I spend I'd say just about all my time doing shit that needs to be done for this band. The others all have full time jobs and I do live sound for a living, running sound for bands, so I only work when there is work available which leaves me with lots of time to concentrate on getting shit done for Kult ov Azazel. Please list your materials which you released so far? Which is your favourite? "Forever Heaven Gone" promo (under the name Azazel) 1999 "Order of the Fly" mCD 1999 (under the name Azazel, reissued in 2000 by Blood Fire Death Records under Kult ov Azazel) "Of Evil and Hatred" promo 2000 "Triumph of Fire" CD 2001 "Order of the Fly" 12" vinyl (limited to 300) 2002 "Triumph of Fire" 12" vinyl (limited to 300) 2002 Out of all our releases I am proud of everything we have done, but my favorite release out of all of them would be "Triumph of Fire" at this point in time. Are you pleased with the distributions of your materials? Who or which distros rec. makes your promotions all over the world? Not really because the last release got totally fucked with the distribution. All this has been solved now for future releases and I'm not even sure who distributes the shit in North America, I know Plastichead will be doing all future releases in Europe. We also have lots of die hard underground distros that distribute our propaganda as well but there are way too many to mention here. How is the overall reactions and support of fans and underground presses to Kult Ov Azazel? The "Triumph of Fire" album got great reviews here and abroad. The overall reaction was one of shock I guess, many people could not comprehend that an American band could play such devastating black metal. Why this is I suppose is only out of ignorance but when it was released it seemed to change a lot of peoples outlook on what a band such as us being from America have to offer. All the past releases also got good reviews, but not like the "Triumph of Fire" album did. I mean you are really one of the most successful bands in Underground with your music and materials, you think what are the reasons behind your success? True and total commitment! Nothing more, nothing less. What are you doing in these days with your band? What about new materials? Currently we have finished up recording a Beherit cover for a tribute. We are also at this time working on recording and mixing 2 new songs to be released on a split 7" with the German black metal horde Graven and are also working on the recording of "Oculus Infernum" which will be our next full length. We'll also be releasing a live LP that will limited to 666 copies. All these releases should be out in the very near future. Can we categorize your sound as USA Black Metal as like as lots of cool bands from your scene like Thornspawn, Krieg, Aversa Sefira...and how do you describe your music? Our sound is our sound, not really a copy of anyone else's. We have never been a band that set out to carbon copy another band or any bands for that matter. What you hear coming from your speakers when you listen to a Kult ov Azazel release is the pure hatred and disdain for humanity and it's religious dogma. So it's best described as nihilistic black metal. It's devastating and utmost antichristian. If the above mentioned bands are categorized a USBM than you can lump us in there to, although I consider us just a black metal band, I don't see the need for the origin of country having anything to do with it. The point is we play black metal, plain and simple. What makes Kult Ov Azazel different from all other Black metal bands? Honestly I don't know, maybe you can answer this for me. We just do what we feel and do it with a driving passion that's all I can really say. What is the importance of lyrics for Kult Ov Azazel? What are the theme of your lyrics? What are the main influences for them? books? movies? dreams? Lyrics are very important because they convey the message of the music. Themes touched on are Satanism, death, astral projection, misanthropy, destruction, the denial of god and the blasphemy of religion. All our lyrics are derived from personal experience, dreams, movies, books, pretty much just what is being thought of or felt at the moment. What are your favourite authors, books, movies? Don't really have favorite authors, I don't really care who's writing the book as long as it is something I find interest in. I like to read books on occult/satanic topics, philosophy, true crime and dark fiction. All sorts of shit. My favorite movies are The Exorcist, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Haxen, and Evil Dead. What are the differences between your antichristian idea and satanism? Nothing since I consider them both one in the same. Why Black metal? What is the meaning of Black Metal for you? Black metal is the true essence of evil and hatred manifested in a musical form. The reason I choose to express myself through this form is because it's the best representation of how I truly feel and think. If you compare the old and these days of Black metal which seems better for you? And what are your thoughts on roots of Black Metal? I don't waste my time crying over the past. The past is past, yes it was great and to me much better than it is now but I don't think about this shit. I just go day to day concentrating on what this band has to accomplish and realize that what once was is just that. As for the roots of black metal I will forever be indebted to the bands that have carved a niche in my musical journey. Which bands you inspired from? Please list your 6 favourite album? Venom "Black Metal" Destruction "Infernal Overkill" Possessed "Seven Churches" Darkthrone "A Blaze in the Northern Sky" and "Panzerfaust" Gorgoroth "Antichrist" Your comments on USA Black metal scene? You think which bands are worthing to be mentioned? It has it's moments. I don't spend a lot of time worrying about the state of the scene here. There are bands I like and bands I don't like, people who are real and others that claim to be. It's got hordesmen that are true to what they are doing and scum that wish to do nothing but rip people off, spread rumors or talk shit. In other words I'm sure it's no different from the scenes anywhere else. As for bands worthy of mention they would be Krieg, Thornspawn, Bloodstorm, Averse Sefira, Gnostic and Infernal Hatred. What do you know about Turkey and Turkey Underground scene? Not very much, actually nothing to be quite honest. There has not been much contact with the Turkish underground scene but I am always up for hearing raw, chaotic and devastating black metal no matter where it is from. Do you want to add something as last? Hails for the interview. We can be contacted at Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33307 USA or online at wwww.kultovazazel.com. Trample the cross of the whore's child!!!!