Answered by Xaphan Could you tell a little about how the band got started? Started in 1999 under the name Azazel with Xul and myself being the backbone of the band. What are some of the main influences for the band? Idea wise and music wise? Nihilistic/Satanic philosophies are the main topics touched on. My main influences are Venom, Destruction, Possessed, Hellhammer, Beherit, Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, the list is endless. What do you think about bands such as Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir? Would you consider them black metal? I don't worry about what other bands are doing; only what we are dedicated to. What has been the reaction to the new album? Which is excellent Thanks for the comments. The reviews have been killer and it seems to be getting better praise than the last album If I am not mistaken, there is a Beherit cover on the new album, correct? Yes, it's a hidden track Was there a reason to pick Beherit or not really? Just because it was a band that had been an inspiration to both myself and Xul. What would you say about Black Metal in the US these days? Many good bands? I know that Kult ov Azazel has worked with Krieg to do a split album before? The scene here has it's ups and downs but for the most part I think it's probably becoming one of the strongest scene despite what others say. Yes we did a split CD with Krieg a few years back and will be doing a 2nd assault with them in the form of a split 7" coming here in the future. How about corpsepaint? What does it mean to you? Do you think it has lost its meaning to some extend? I will never think it will lose its meaning. We use it because it is tradition and to us it represents the death of man, the rebirth of evil. How often does Kult ov Azazel rehearse? Not that often. About every 3 months we get together and rehearse and write. Just it's hard since not all of us live in the same city or same state for that matter Yeah I know how that feels, I have a band of my own and can't practice much due to distance. How long did it take to record the new album? Any interesting things happen while recording? Most of it was written in the studio since we did not get too many rehearsals before we entered the studio. But all in all in was written over about 2 months and nothing interesting other than drinking went on while we were in recording. Is Kult ov Azazel your first band? Or have you worked on any bands before? No it's not the first. I have worked with other bands in the past but they are really of no importance. I am though in Hateplow which I play bass for. How long have you been listening to black metal? Well this is something up for debate. I would say since 1984 when I heard Venom's "Black Metal" album but others will say this is not when black metal started. In that case it would be in 1991 when i heard Darkthrone's "A Blaze in the Northern Sky". Talking about Darkthrone, what's your opinion on all the crimes related to black metal from the early 90's in Norway, such as the church burnings and the murder of Euronymous? My opinion on it all is I don't care. Most of them were kids back then and even to this day use that defense when asked about their activities. It did however strike fear in the minds of people in Norway but all in all it was more glorified than it all really was. What CD's have you been listening to these days? We have just returned from a show we played up in Philly so the past two weeks we rehearsed I haven't really listened to much music other than what I hear of us at practice. But today I listened to the new Weltmacht, an advance of the new Krieg album and a band called Desolation Hymn. What should the fans expect from Kult ov Azazel on the future? Total uncompromised blasphemy Any last words? Thanks for the interview and support!