Interviewed by Archon, answered by Xaphan
Greetings Xaphan, how are you?
Doing well my friend.
How and when was KOA formed?
The band was formed by Xul and myself in 1999. We both were doing our own projects and met by chance and decided to join together to form what has become Kult ov Azazel.
The band was originally called Azazel; why was it changed to Kult Ov Azazel?
After we self released the Order of the Fly mCD we started getting letters and emails from people informing us that we weren’t the only band using Azazel. Once we researched things a bit better we found out there were bands from Finland, New Zealand, Mexico, Israel and one from North Carolina. Instead of starting over with a new band moniker we just decided to add to the name.
Does your music have any particular influences?
Yes, speed/thrash metal from the early to mid 80’s, first and second wave of black metal and maybe some elements of punk/crossover/crust between the years 1979-1989 particularly.
Do you have any influences personally?
Too many to get into. There have been a lot of individuals, philosophies and vices that have influenced me over the past thirty five years.
What are your views on the Black Metal scene nowadays?
My bitterness over the years has limited my interest in hearing new music in all honesty. Also what little I do hear is usually coming from bands that request our page on myspace. There are many strong bands out there yet at the same time it’s overwhelmed with useless and horrible bands. Truthfully I don’t really care about the state of the scene or what others are doing within it. My main focus has always been about Kult ov Azazel and what we are doing.
Could you give us a brief run-through of KOA releases?
Under the name Azazel we released Forever Heaven Gone promo cassette (1999) and Order of the Fly mCD (1999). There are also a few copies of some live recordings we released in the summer of 1999 under the name Azazel floating around.
As Kult ov Azazel we have released Of Evil and Hatred promo cassette (2000), Order of the Fly mCD (2000), Triumph of Fire CD (2001), Oculus Infernum CD (2003), Assaulting the Masses LP (2003), Black Mass Consecration CD (2004) and The World, The Flesh and The Devil CD (2005). Also under Kult ov Azazel we have issued on vinyl Triumph of Fire (2002), Order of the Fly (2003) and The World, The Flesh & The Devil Pic LP (2006).
Split wise we have done recordings with Krieg simply titled Kult ov Azazel/Krieg split (2001), Gather Against Humanity split CD (2001) with Obitus, Humanicide and ThyLord, the Kult ov Azazel/Satan’s Blood 7” (2003), Through War or Suicide 10” (2005) with Horn of Valere and Feast of Sacrilegious Impurity CD (2006) with Vrolok.
You’ve released several split albums; with the likes of Krieg, Satan’s Blood and Vrolok, how did these happen?
All came about through my contacts with them over the years for the most part. That’s how the Krieg and Vrolok splits came to be. I asked Horn of Valere to do the 10” split after the label offering to put the release out gave us the ability to choose the band. Satan’s Blood split was the labels choice but gave me the opportunity to hear and approve first. Obitus, Humanicide and ThyLord I never heard before the split but had much respect for them after the split was released.
Are there any other bands you’d consider working with?
I’d like to one day do a split with Profanatica since Ledney has it active again. So yes, there are other bands I’d like to collaborate with in the future. Many actually.
Which release is your personal favourite?
The last release, The World, The Flesh & The Devil.
About the new record, which has been entitled ‘Destroying The Sacred’, how much work has been done so far?
We are in pre-production mode as I am writing this. We have laid down demo drum and guitar tracks already. Xul will be coming by this week to lay down demo bass tracks and once that is done we’ll begin writing lyrics. By next month vocals should be done and guitar harmonies figured out and we’ll be set to enter the studio in August to record the actual album.
Is there a particular theme or meaning behind it?
It was the working title of the last album but I chose to scrap it for the title The World, The Flesh & The Devil. The meaning behind the next album title comes from Liber Lux in a section titled Liberation. It’s the first of five techniques used to weaken the hold of society, convention, and habit over oneself. Theme wise it will follow exactly what the title implies, that being another blasphemy toward all religion.
Will these themes manifest in the lyrics, music, artwork, or all of them?
Correct, through all the things you mentioned.
How will it stand out from other releases?
I think some of the songs have more of a thrash/speed feel than any previous material. Other than that it most likely will not stand out too much more than past albums. We’ve always been known to play very fast styled black metal and that has not changed.
Do you have any further plans for KOA?
After the album is done we’ll focus on doing some touring. I would eventually like to see the band make it over to Europe on a tour.
Do you personally have any ambitions now?
None other than the above mentioned and getting the album recorded.
Thanks for your time; is there anything you’d like to add?
Thanks for including us in Phalanx Inferna Zine. It is very much appreciated! Those unfamiliar with us can find music, info and other things related to Kult ov Azazel at www.kultovazazel.com or www.myspace.com/kultovazazel. Hails to all that have supported us over the years!!
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