Finally we have a new KULT OV AZAZEL album: "The World, The Flesh & The Devil"; What can you tell us about this production?
Xaphan: We recorded it at Mana Studios up in Tampa Florida instead of locally as we had done with the past two. We wanted a different sound and production on this one, which we got so I believe we made a wise choice. As for the musical content, this new album will consist of nine tracks of heretical doctrine emitting unadulterated contempt towards all that is holy. It’s also by far the most diverse musically we have recorded being that it’s not an all blaster. In a way it’s a continuation of the direction we were going on “Oculus Infernum” yet this time around the vocal duties are split evenly between the two of us and at times we incorporate three way vocal assaults.
Xul: Yeah, the production on the new album is much more organic sounding. The drums especially have a more natural sound. In the way of pre-production; I feel that we had more time to finish the songs before going in which lead to an easy process in the studio.
Are you planning a new tour in order to promote the new stuff? Maybe a new concert in Canada or maybe Mexico City? (YEAH!)
Xul: We definitely have plans to support the new album but nothing is set in stone at the moment. Right now we are focusing on finishing the layout and mastering process; putting the final touches on the whole album to be sent to the label for pressing.
Xaphan: I think we might have an easier time getting into Mexico before we would Canada but the chance of touring either is very remote to be perfectly honest with you. You never know though, stranger things have happened.
We know that a band has to go through a musical evolution across the years; what could be the difference between the early K.O.A. days ("Order of the Fly" times) and the currently sound of the band?
Xaphan: I would say overtime it has become more defined and better musically. We have much more experience now than back in 1999 when we wrote and recorded “Order of the Fly”.
Xul: The first thing that I notice when comparing older material with the newer material is maturity. Our song writing process has become more natural and our musicianship and playing together has improved. Everything is much more how we originally envisioned it.
What kind of bands had influenced the K.O.A. music?
Xul: Everyone in the band has their own favorite in the extreme black metal scene. Bathory, Dissection, Venom, Mayhem, Darkthrone, to name a few. Conqueror, Katharsis and Inquisition is what I am currently listening to.
Xaphan: Some others he failed to mention are Destruction, Possessed, Beherit, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Sodom, Gorgoroth, Behemoth, Havohej/Profanatica, Blasphemy and Mercyful Fate but like Xul said we each have many bands that have inspired us at some point.
I’ve seen a lot of metaphors in your lyrics. Who writes them and what are they inspired on?
Xaphan: On the earlier material Xul covered the lyrics. They were inspired by death worship, misanthropy, ancient lore, astral meditation and nihilistic themes. It was on “Oculus Infernum” that I began to write lyrics thus contributing a good deal of them for that album. On the new album all the lyrics were written by me, Xul and VJS contributing them on one song each. My lyrics have always been inspired by my obsession with the occult and the darkside of life.
What can you tell us about your mini-tour through the USA´s west coast the last year?
Xul: That tour was the first time we played that side of the United States. Overall it was beneficial and we were able to play with some great bands. We had some trouble trying to get into Canada and never made it to the show due to the Canadian border patrol. That was the most disappointing but we tried. The best show on the tour for me was San Francisco – sick!
Xaphan: I was especially looking forward to the Vancouver ritual so it was a total let down when we were denied entrance. It was however a great pleasure being able to share the stage every night with bands that really believe in what they are doing, what they are playing. Bands with purpose and vision, it’s not every day that a band gets to be a part of something like that.
As a Satanist band, what is the K.O.A. Satanic Philosophy?
Xaphan: That enlightenment can only be achieved through the deprogramming of religious thought.
Is it true about the relationship between the band and the "Church of Satan"? For me, A.S. LaVey is an irrational idiot but what is your opinion about him?
Xaphan: Yes it is true. I am the only one out of the band with ties to the CoS. I am sure there’s a person that you or others respect who I may think is a moron so everyone is entitled to their opinion. I do have very much respect for LaVey and his legacy. I stumbled across the Satanic Bible sometime around 1983/84. I can say with no doubt that without it and Venom’s first two albums I most likely would not have traveled the path I have both musically and ideologically.
Xul: I have respect for what he did and agree with some of his views but I do not personally follow him or anyone else.
Tell me if I’m right: In latest times we’ve been witnesses of an USA Black Metal rising; good bands like WELTMACHT, KRIEG, HORN OF VALERE, FOG, KULT OV AZAZEL, etc got a major presence in the worldwide Black Metal scene. How can you explain this?
Xaphan: Yeah you are correct and I would say the contributing factor to that is the bands you mention are the doing it with conviction and devotion. This seems to be the things many bands lack. Don’t get me wrong though, America is not the only place producing good bands. You must also look to other countries.
By these times, we have some B.M. bands that revivify their local heathen/pagan history & believe doing apart with the Satanism; is this valid for you? Does K.O.A. practice something like that in its occult music?
Xaphan: Satanism and black metal will always be intertwined. It is because of Satanism and anti-christianity that black metal music even exists. So in my eyes Satanism is very much an integral part of the music. I firmly believe that when the ideology and lyrics move away from satanic, occult and antichristian themes it is not black metal. So I am of the opinion that black metal must only be satanic and related to all things of the occult. But to each their own, if bands wish to remove Satanism they need to also remove “black metal” when describing their music. We also do not practice any revelry in cultural heritage through our music; our music is only about the glorification of evil.
And what about the VIKING METAL? Another trend?
Xul: I don’t have a problem with Viking Metal. I can respect the imagery and celebration of heritage.
Xaphan: I really like old Unleashed but other than that I don’t care much for that style. I don’t see it as a trend though, at least not in America, maybe it is in Mexico, that I wouldn’t know.
What does the "Black Metal" means to you?
Xaphan: Black metal is the total embodiment of all that is blasphemous in a musical form; that’s the foundation this band was built upon.
And what is your opinion about the Christianism?
Xaphan: That it should lay rotting and stinking in the ground broken, defeated and exposed for what it is, trite bullshit.
Xul: I don’t feel like its any secret as to where we stand…
Finishing, Do you know anything about the detention in the USA of the ABSURD founder Hendrik Mobus?
Xul: I have not followed the story at all. I think it’s safe to say that none of us know nor care.
Your future plans and last comments for the people from "La Torre".
Xul: Keep an eye out for the new album. It’s to be released June 28th. We will be announcing some live show dates over the next few months. Hails.
Xaphan: Thanks for the interest and support. I believe this is our first time in a Mexican zine so it’s been an honor! Sic itur ad astra!
