Interviewed by Vro, answered by Xaphan & Xul When and how does the Holocaustic attack of KULT OV AZAZEL start (bio)? Any involvement of you guys in other bands or projects before KULT OV AZAZEL? Xaphan: Kult ov Azazel was formed in April of 1999 by Xul and myself. At this time we were going under the name Azazel and in that June released the "Forever Heaven Gone" two-song promo after recording our first demo mCD titled "Order of the Fly" which consisted of myself on guitar/backing vocals, Xul on bass/vocals and Von on drums. The mcd was released in August and shortly after we released it Von quit and that November was replaced by Hellspawn. In February 2000 we recorded 3 new tracks and re-recorded a track from the mCD for the split CD with Krieg. June of 2000 we decided to change our name to Kult ov Azazel and signed with Arctic Music. June also saw the departure of Hellspawn from the band. At this point we brought Gus Rios into the band as session drummer and started writing tracks for the "Triumph of Fire" CD. November of 2000 we entered Studio 13 and recorded our first full length CD. At this point in time, we have parted ways with Gus and are searching for a permanent drummer. From "Le Messe Noir" to "Crown of Fire," everything delivers pure extreme, speed, blasting and brutality, I wonder who are your influences or demons who possesses you? Xaphan: We are possessed by all that is evil and extreme fucking hatred. I think that after listening to the CD these words will be very evident. So how do you keep that sound anyway? How do you create your songs? Any occultic rites involve or lots of beer needed? Xul: With the new album everyone contributed to the writing and I think it came out better than the past where it was usually either myself or Xaphan coming to practice with a completed song. Xaphan: Yeah in the past I would come up with a whole song or Xul would and that was the song with no deviation, yet on this album we worked more together on the songs. All songs were written under the influence of one thing or another. Gus Rio's drumming is outstanding, but he's a session drummer for the recording of "Triumph of Fire," Is there any chance of finding a permanent drummer? Xaphan: Yes right now we are talking with a few people but nothing is certain. We will eventually find a permanent drummer. Xul: It seems like we are always looking for a drummer. Anyone who thinks they can handle it can contact us. In John Milton's "Paradise Lost", AZAZEL is the standard bearer of Satan, Is there you get the idea? Do you consider your self? Xaphan: There are many different novels where Azazel has appeared and each one has its on take exactly what this demon's place was. We choose the name of Azazel because his intention on earth was to show men how to wage war, how to build weapons and how to use them to kill. We are continuing his purpose through our music. We intend to bring war upon the self-righteous sheep affiliated with a religion of herd mentality and self-worthlessness. So that's the reason for the pure unholiness and attacking character of K.O.A's lyrics? Just when and how your fascination to evil, Satan, darkside etc. started? Do you take it seriously or an image being in a black metal band? Xaphan: The lyrics stem from contempt for humanity, hate for christianity and our need to destroy mortality. I take all my beliefs seriously and have held these beliefs many years, unlike a lot of so called black metal bands that spout off a few ridiculous statements against the religious establishment and call themselves evil or for that matter Satanists. This is not the case with us! Our lyrics reflect our beliefs, our disgust, and our dedication in exterminating all christian thought. Any involvement in some occult movement or activities? What do you think is the essence of pure evil? (to me action is more evil than words) Xaphan: Some things are better off left unsaid. Xul: Kult ov Azazel supports anything that opposes christianity and humanity. So what can you say to those bands who sings about elves, wolves, forest, woods etc. ? Do you consider this thing "black metal"? Xaphan: You forgot to mention fairies, trolls, dragons, wizards and all that gay shit. Do I consider these things black metal, NO! Xul: It all depends on what the bands trying to accomplish. I think the music/lyrics are black or dark, when in that nature but not necessarily black metal. Everyone has his or her own categorizations and it's just easier to lump it all together. So how will you describe KULT OV AZAZEL set? Do you use any props to enhance pure blackness and hell? Xaphan: Lots of speed and blasphemy. Xul: Along with spikes, corpsepaint, and fire. How's the crowds reactions? What are the usual comments? Do you still enjoy playing along side non-black metal bands? Xul: We usually play with Death Metal bands more than black metal. I still like death metal so its fine to play with them. The crowd is usually not expecting what we put out to them. There's always people out there that love you or hate you. The production, structure, and sound are really good, but there are fans and bands who still think that that not trying to experiment, bad production and that dark mystical attitude is "the BLACK METAL ". How will you comment to that? Xaphan: I like necro sounding bands, I just choose not to have my band sound necro. We are more into the raw sound where our music is concerned. As far as if any of these fucks that call themselves "purist" are concerned, if we're not "true" in their eyes I don't give a fuck. We are creating music because we feel the need to create it. Not to impress some cunt that lives in the middle of no where and because they lack the ability to play an actual instrument, record their "songs" on a 4 track that not even themselves knows how to use. The ending product being a bunch of noise that is called "true" black metal. These fucks will no longer be around in a few years after they have found some other form of music other than black metal to occupy their time. Xul: It's a very typical attitude. It's also a half ass attitude. I think with the new album we achieved a very raw feel yet the listener can hear what is going on. Its very easy to take a four track and make a black metal sounding album and call it "true" and "necro" but it's just a way of hiding the fact that you're a failure. I apply this statement to the recent rash of shit in the scene and my contribution to any soap opera out there… Kill yourselves. So how will you describe the present "Black Metal Scene"? Do you think "true" and "false" black metal really exist? So what's your reference for being "true" and your anger to the "false"? Xaphan: The present black metal scene here in America has some pretty strong forces. On a whole most bands play black metal in the old vein and not too many bands are whoring themselves out to the Scandinavian sound. True and false black metal does still exist and the sad thing about this is both always will. You'll always have trend followers or people that get into the music because their favorite mainstream band listens to a certain band. You'll always have people that get into playing the music thinking it will make them millions. But in the end both of these 2 types of people will fall wayside to the curb. Those that listen and play the music because it holds great significance to them in whatever form it might be will still be here pounding out antichristian propaganda. Xul: Of coarse there will always be two sides to every story. Currently there is more garbage out there than ever. I think the American Black Metal Scene is one of the strongest right now and seems to get bigger and sicker every day. Time always tells who is true and who is not. How many times have you heard of some fucker who two years later in life decides to throw away their collection of CD's because they found god or something. What a waste. The scene always has people coming and going. Do you consider KULT OV AZAZEL a purist black metal band, who still practice, NO CORE, NO MOSH, NO TREND, NO FASHION or a black metal band who want to progress and to prove his capability and worthiness to the scene? Xaphan: First off I don't need to prove anything to anyone. We will continue to progress but we will not stray from our roots and beliefs. This band will always stay a force that continues to play black metal in the vein black metal was meant to be played! We are purists in the sense that we don't use any keyboards or female vocals. We strongly believe in taking black metal back to where it once was. We are all about blasphemy and hatred, black metal is meant to be evil and fearing yet it's become a joke, a fucking trend! Crush the false, death to trendwhores! Xul: The only standards I live by are my own. Whatever feels natural. To live by someone else's rules is like going to church. Fuck that. I always ask this kind of question, What does metal music (or black metal) mean to you? Can you list your ten great albums of all time? Xaphan: Black Metal to me is an extreme musical art form that is based in antichristian ideals and satanic imagery. My ten favorite albums, in no particular order, are: Venom - Welcome to Hell, Possessed - 7 Churches, Destruction - Infernal Overkill, Mercyful Fate - Melissa, Slayer - Reign in Blood, Exodus - Bonded by Blood, Darkthrone - A Blaze in the Northern Sky, Mayhem - Deathcrush, Hellhammer - Apocalyptic Raids, Immortal - Pure Holocaust. Xul: Black metal is a personal release as an art and should only be taken seriously. My top ten changes too frequently. Thank you very much, you can add anything you want to say or promote. Always keep the triumph of fire burning. Xul: Buy the new album and support the war on christianity. Any drummers who would like to be part of the christian holocaust should get in contact with us. Burn the Church! Xaphan: Thanks for the interview. For further propaganda and ritual abuse you can visit our website at www.kultovazazel.com or write us at our mailing address. Hail Satan!