Interviewed by Tomas answered by Xaphan Hi Xaphan!. A pleasure to talk with you. How are thing in the KOA camp? The pleasure is mutual. We haven’t been very active since the recording. We played at about 3 weeks ago that’s about it. At the moment things are quite calm and will remain so until we begin rehearsing for an east coast tour in August. So first please introduce Kult ov Azazel for all those bastards who do not know. Xul and I formed the band back in April of 1999. Over the years since that day and with the utilization of session members we have recorded and released “Order of the Fly”, “Assaulting the Masses”, “Triumph of Fire”, “Oculus Infernum” and the newest release “The World, The Flesh & The Devil” along with numerous compilations and splits with Krieg, Horn of Valere, Vrolok, Satan’s Blood, Humanicide, Obitus and Thy Lord. The current lineup is myself (vocals/guitar), Xul (vocals/bass), VJS (guitar) and Hammer (drums). Ok, let’s begin the questions. So why "The world, The Flesh & The Devil”? Whose idea was to name the album this? It was my idea. The title was actually supposed to be that for our 2nd album but as instead we named it “Oculus Infernum.” So when it came time to write the new album we decided to go with this title again since it best represented what the songs are about. Tell us a little about whole recording and production process. Where there any difficulties? None whatsoever. Like all past albums we recorded this album track by track. For those that don’t what this means it is when you record one instrument at a time. So we started off with the drums then after that we laid down the guitar tracks. Then bass tracks get done and lastly the vocals. The whole process was completed within two weeks. The cover of "The World, The Flesh & The Devil" is really awesome. Who made it? Whose idea was it to create such a goat-human holding the whole fucking world? It is really a great idea that fits to the album name. The cover was done by our former guitarist Nocturath. Although he left the band shortly after “Oculus Infernum” he still continues to contribute by way of art. The idea behind the cover was all his although we had final say in it. Xaphan, you are a former of Kult ov Azazel. What made biggest influence to you as an artist and to your music? Musically it is Venom and Darkthrone. Outside of that it’s many different philosophers and occult authors. And what about "The World, The Flesh & The Devil"? What influenced this album the most and what is it dedicated to. It’s dedicated to evil. The evil we are born into. The evil that runs amok among humanity. The evil force that guides the hand of fate. It was written and recorded under the spell of Civabin Satanas so I guess you can say that was a main influence. As I know, this is your 3rd release in Arctic Music and after another one your contract will be finished. Will you stay there for longer time or you going to search for a new label? There’s no answer to your question other than Arctic has always been nothing but good to us. We have one more album under our contract with them and after that we’ll see where everything stands. Are you satisfied with your label promotion and distribution work? Do they support you well? Yeah, completely. I know that "The world, The Flesh & The Devil" is in the scene for a very short time, but what are the public and press reactions? Are you pleased with them? I am pleased with what we have done on the album so the bottom line is that’s always all that matters. But yes, the responses we have received from both public and press has been overwhelming better than the past two. If you could turn back time, what you would change in this album? Or maybe you are 100% pleased with everything? There are always things that I have wanted to go back and change after recording an album. Nothing has changed with this new one. But I can say I am 100% satisfied with it. Kult Ov Azazel is a black metal band from US. Maybe any thoughts about nowadays US black metal scene or about nowadays black metal in general? Don’t you think that it becomes as a trend? I believe it’s only seen as a trend by those in the “online scene” and generally by those that are trendy to begin with. I mean like you ask me about what I think of black metal nowadays the answer is simply I don’t. Be it here in the United States or anywhere else. And I think most bands probably have better things to do than analyze the “state of the union.” I know I do. I don’t care what other bands do outside of what I see inside the release or what I see when they play live. I don’t care if bands want to turn weak and flip-flop in ideology and musical styles. It’s nothing new except to those that are new to black metal and haven’t been around long. My focus is on what we are doing and nothing more when it comes to black metal and any kind of scene that goes with it. I have seen in a lot of different places that you play profane / satanic black metal. So what are you relationships with Satanism or the "dark side"? Any thoughts about it? I have been treading the LHP for many, many moons. Those are only descriptions but very accurate ones at that. Hehe, maybe someday you will go to Lithuania and crush the stage here? Maybe, anything is possible. But I wouldn’t hold my breath. Ok, I will finish this questionnaire and finish the retardation. Maybe there is something you want to say? Your last words? For those that are interested in knowing more about us our website can be found at www.kultovazazel.co for more information and propaganda. “The World, The Flesh & The Devil” will be unleashed upon nations of East within the month of July. Seek it out, obtain it, revel in the blasphemy!!