Interviewed by Fenris Wolf & answered by Xaphan

Hails, this is Fenris, thanks for accepting to do an interview. I'm going to abstain from asking for a band history, as people can go check out your website for that. Rather I am going to immediately go into the indepth questions: First off I would like your thoughts on the purpose of KOA, I must assume by past remarks in interviews that it's purpose is to spread suffering, misery, and the destruction of the Christian religion. Would you consider KOA the vehicle for spreading such pestilence?

Our main purpose is to create music that we ourselves feel connected to, that's first and foremost. Then the purposes you mentioned would follow suit. Of course Kult ov Azazel is a vehicle for spreading such propaganda but it goes way beyond that. It's also continuing to hold the ideals that black metal evolved from because these are the ideals that we personal relate to. We are here to express our disgust towards monotheism and herd conformity through musical violence.

Your opinion on the various forms of chaos erupting on the planet? What do you think of the recent spread of various diseases such as SARS, west nile etc.? How about the negros in the Congo recently massacring nearly one thousand of their own kind?

I'm not sure what I think about this, I'm undecided if this SARS disease is part of biological warfare or some crazy disease that has mutated due to the evolving decay of the planet, in other words it's way of population control. The Congo incident I have not heard about but that does not surprise me one bit. Overall is just a matter of time before we destroy ourselves or nature does it for us.

I've noticed that at times people have said that KOA has a "Death Metal" influence, which you personally deny. Quite honestly I can't really see any influence, so why do you think this keeps getting mentioned?

I have no clue. Perhaps it's because we originate from Florida. That's the only reason I can think of.

Admittedly I am not in agreeance with you on a lot of things. For instance, don't you think that just wishing "all living things" to die is a rather unfeasable goal and furthermore don't you think it seems like a bit of a cop-out from the challenges in life? Why not target specific groups for total destruction instead?

For the most part we do vent our hatred at specific groups but at the same time 99.9% of humanity is a waste and this is why I feel that their demise is justifiable. I do not see this as a cop out on the challenges in life because I don't see where that fits in to the obstacles, or challenges, that I encounter in my exploits of life. But then again I don't expect you or anyone else to agree with me for that matter. I am intelligent enough to know that not everyone thinks or feels the way I do and don't expect them to.

It was a long time back when I got your first album, "Triumph of Fire". Looking back on it all now, would you say you are complete satisfied with this musical working, are there any regrets at all? What are your favorite songs? Any memorable occurances while making the album? Can you describe the upcoming album a bit? What does the name of it stand for?

For the most part I am pleased with everything we have released since our conception. There are some minor things I'd go back and change on "Triumph of Fire" but for the most part I think it is fine the way it is. No real memorable stories come to mind of the recording process but the songs I like the most off it are "My Misanthropy", Destruction to the Throne of God" and "Triumph of Fire". In reality I like all the songs but those 3 are the ones I enjoy playing the most. The new album "Oculus Infernum" translates into "Eye of Hell" and will be 8 tracks of profane black metal! Things have changed with our lineup since the last album. We have incorporated a permanent drummer who is the maniac Goss "The Hammer" and have added another guitarist into the fold who is Nocturath. I have taken up doing more vocal duties so there's a lot of switch off vocals between Xul and myself on this one. The music is best described as having the intensity of "Triumph of Fire" while having the feel of "Order of the Fly". I think a lot of people will be shocked by what they will get on this album; the songs this time around are very memorable. Honestly I am very pleased with how the final recording came out and will without a doubt say that this is the best shit we have done to date.

Your opinion on the use of alcohol? Any favorite beers, whiskeys, etc.? Stories of alcohol-induced violence? Do you think that American beer is really quite as bad as the Europeans, Australians, and Canadians seem to think it is?

I my opinion is I abuse it!!! My favorite beer is Heineken. With whiskey it is Jack Daniels and I'm very partial to Jagermeister. There are way too many stories of self inflicted violence or just outright raging violence while being intoxicated. I'd be sitting here writing for days of them. Yes American beer is shit, I agree there. I can't drink that piss water and refuse to.

You have mentioned in the past that you have built and designed some websites. The KOA website is fairly well designed; did you do this as well? Would you say that the internet takes some of the darkness out of the UG, or not really?

Yes the Kult ov Azazel websites have been built and maintained by me since we started the band. I don't think the internet takes the darkness out of the underground, I just think that the internet breeds overnight elite black metal warriors that would rather create drama and bullshit rumors rather than further the ideology. But the internet can be a very useful tool in spreading propaganda and being in touch with others that are fighting for the same cause.

I noticed all of your shirts where out of print, are there any plans in the future to create more, if so what kind of designs etc.? Would you say it is almost completely necessary to have some sort of blasphemous image on KOA's clothing?

Yes there are plans to print more here in the future. It's not completely necessary for us to use such images and on some shits have not, but what it comes down to is the idea and how the idea evolves when I design the shirt.

You have stated you are no believer in National-Socialism. Does this mean you are completely against any association with N-S bands, 'zines, etc.? (Well, obviously not too much or you wouldn't be letting me interview you!)

No it does not. I may not agree with the philosophy but that does not mean I disassociate myself from people that do. I have many contacts with bands and individuals within the NS scene and consider them true allies but that doesn't mean I agree 100% with their ideals. I just find politics having nothing to do with black metal.

Do you have any tattoos? If so what are they and what do they signify?

Yeah I have many tattoos. Instead of describing them all I'll tell you of my four favorites. I have on my right forearm and right calf 2 "Gigerish" pieces done in Memphis, TN by Dave at Underground tattoos. Both designs were custom drawn for me. On my left arm I have a demon skull engulfed in flames and on my left calf I have the Baphomet from the Venom "Black Metal" album. Other than those I have 8 other tats. The 2 "Gigerish" pieces I have really have no significance other than I am an addict to the artwork of Giger and other Giger inspired art. The demon skull I got after I went on a 4th of July alcoholic rampage back in '94 in which I shattered my right hand. I got this tat to remind me of that experience so I never do the stupid things I did that day to break my hand, being I need my hands to play. The Venom Baphomet is out of respect for them since they were the first band to inspire me to play this form of music.

Your brief thoughts on this variety of subjects:

Pitbulls:

Brutal dogs, but I prefer Rottweilers.

Assault Weapons:

Deathly firepower!!!

Islam:

Fuck Islam and all other subhuman religions. Monotheism needs to be exterminated.

Mexicans:

Don't like their food.

Acheron:

Was one of the best bands out of Tampa.

Cocaine:

Don't get me started otherwise I don't stop and spend tons of money.

Scorpion or Tarantula?:

Scorpion, it's my life sign.

Decieverion:

Hails to Necrodemius and horde! Looking forward to the 3 way split with them and Operation Winter Mist. Definitely one of the best current bands in the US.

666:

Represents the beast within and equates back to 9, the number of the Ego.

Canadian BM:

Definitely more great hordes from here such as Ouroboros, Operation Winter Mist, Axis of Advance, Conqueror, Revenge and lets not forget Blasphemy and Lust!

Homosexuals:

Need to be gassed.

Well, that is all for now, hope you think these were good questions. Feel free to leave any kontacts, merchandise info, speeches, incantations, etc. This space is yours. 666=88!

Soon Autopsy Stench Records (GER) will be releasing the Kult ov Azazel/Satan’s Blood split 7”. This will be released in May. June 24th will see the release of “Oculus Infernum” and the gatefold LP version of this will be released not long after with a bonus 7”. Regimental Records has obtained the license for this and will release the vinyl to a limited number of copies. Late May we’ll begin writing new material that will appear on the 3 way split CD with Operation Winter Mist (CAN) and Decieverion (USA) that will also be released through Regimental Records later this year. Other than that we’ll just be focusing on trying to get some touring dates to support “Oculus Infernum”. Thanks for the interview and for not asking the lame typical questions that most people ask. All Kult ov Azazel propaganda can be found at www.kultovazazel.com or by writing to us at Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Fort Lauderdale Florida, 33307 – USA.