Interviewed by Fauzi answered by Xaphan & Xul
Hail to you satanic hell bro. How the Satan nowahelldays? How the demon life there and what are you doing right now?
Xaphan: Hails, things are going well. We have new album out, just came off a tour and will start writing new material at some point. Right now Xul and I are having some Heinekens prepared for this interview.
Ok please introduce yourself completely. How and when you involved this metal scene? What you see in Black Metal scene at your place that time ? and what Satans (bands) inspired you for long time ago?
Xul: I am the vocalist and bassist of KoA. I’ve been in the metal scene for long enough to know what I like and dislike of the scene and where the bullshit lies. Through-out the years I’ve been inspired by bands like Bathory, Beherit, Slayer, Possessed, Celtic Frost, and most of the late 80/early 90’s European Black Metal. I am more into and inspired by these bands than what is coming out in today’s times.
Xaphan: I am the vocalist and guitarist, been in the metal scene since the early eighties, inspired by such bands as Venom, Sodom, Destruction, along with the bands already named by Xul with many others that could fill this entire interview.
I know its fuckin’ bored but please give your biography were the band member in other bands before KOA? Tell us in brief your band existence...
Xaphan: Xul and I formed the band back in April of 1999. Over the years and with the utilization of session members we have recorded and released “Order of the Fly”, “Assaulting the Masses”, “Triumph of Fire”, “Oculus Infernum” along with numerous compilations and splits with Krieg, Horn of Valere, Satan’s Blood, Humanicide, Obitus and Thy Lord and a soon to come split with Vrolok. We have also just released a new album with the current lineup of myself, Xul, VJS (guitar) and Hammer (drums).
Xul: Our third album, ‘The World, the Flesh & The Devil’ was released a few months back on Arctic/Crash Music. In support of the release we just returned from a two week East coast US tour with Blood Storm, Teratism, Horn of Valere, and Tenebrous. We are looking into some more dates around the US. VJS and I have played together in bands prior to KoA a while ago but nothing that made it further than local clubs and the garage.
From the start till now, any changing line up? Current line up? And how you meet each other and later formed the band? Are your family gave their supported? For examples!!
Xul: Line changes have always been an issue since the beginning. We do have a steady lineup currently with the members on the new album. Our biggest challenge has always been drummers. They fucking suck. We have been fortunate though to have Hammer who has been around since ‘Oculus Infernum’.
All demons in the world very interested about your new slaughter “The World, The Flesh and The Devil” has unleashed. Please story to us behind the opus? And how their production?
Xul: The story goes the same with our past releases: Praise death, praise war, praise suffering… The album was recorded at Mana studios in Tampa, about 350 miles north of where we hail. I think everyone in the band can agree that our experience at Mana studios was more productive than the past studios we have recorded at; we were able to achieve what we were summoning.
Xaphan: I agree. We knew by going to Tampa to record at Mana we’d be working with two guys that know what we as a band are out to achieve. What came out of this album was the true identity of what this band has always been about.
Something special about band name? Kult Ov Azazel!! Who really gave an idea to put this Satan name to the band? In early, the band name was Azazel only. Why you changed it? And any hidden meaning beside this to you?
Xaphan: It was the moniker I was recording under when I met Xul. When we started out we decided to keep using it until after the release of “Order of the Fly” demo that we happened to find out many others were using that same moniker. At that moment we changed the name to what it is today. Azazel was chosen because of what this fallen angel has represented throughout religious myth and lore. War, defiance, nonconformity, hate, rebellion, destruction, and always regarded a defiler of humanity.
What is your favorite quotation from the lyrics of “The World, The Flesh & The Devil”? Why?
Xul: “Nazarene ablaze and temples in flames, the god of sheep have failed”… this is one that particularly stands out in my head at this moment.
Xaphan: “Overturning laws of God” since this is what I set out to do with the music I create.
Why the album title “The World, The Flesh & The Devil”? Who personally gave this title? What you want to tell us beside this title?
Xaphan: I gave this title to the album. It was a phrase I came across in a book on magical alphabets some years ago and that has remained with me. We choose to use this as a title because it totally reflected what this album is about coming from a lyrical angle. There’s nothing more to it than that.
I believe that “The World, The Flesh & The Devil” cover photo stories something. What it is? Who was created it? Any hidden meaning beside the cover artwork for the “The World, The Flesh & The Devil”? and please do compared your past cover artwork, which one you like most? why?
Xul: The cover depicts the title… the half goat/man with the world in his hands exemplifying domination. I think the artwork for all of our albums have always been a good representation of the music. My favorite is still ‘Oculus Infernum’ just because of the total darkness it represents.
Xaphan: Or one could also read it as through the decaying of creationism man can himself rise from mere flesh to godhood. It’s all in the minds eye really. I myself have no favorite cover; all of them have been perfectly suitable for the albums they have graced.
Is the “The World, The Flesh & The Devil” sound and music arrangement same like your past two split and 2nd “Oculus Infernum”? Are you satisfied with it? Would you like to change anything next opus?
Xul: With every album I think we mature in the song writing process, lyrically, and how we work through the recording and production of the album. We do what comes naturally and will continue the legacy with our next release. Collectively we are satisfied but there are always discovered later that. That also keeps us motivated for the future.
How about your lyrics in “The World, The Flesh & The Devil”? Who was created it? Still about satanic? or what? Any research did you make before created it? and how important messages in your lyrics? To the fans?
Xaphan: All lyrics were written by me except for the songs “Trampling the Cross” in which VJS penned the lyrics for and “Bloodstained Path to Victory” which was written by Xul. My lyrics are very much rooted in occult matter but also delve deeper into the subjects such as human psyche and environments. They are satanic and some are even very ritualistic in nature.
“The World, The Flesh & The Devil” released through Arctic Music in conjunction with Crash Music Inc. What your impression about this two label? How you found and make work with them? and any reason why you guys decided to release through Arctic Music? What their advantages for you?
Xul: We deal more with Arctic than with Crash and always have. Crash used to be Pavement Records which is who Arctic collaborated with on our first full length release ‘Triumph of fire’ so we do have a history with both labels. Arctic helps us out and has come through with everything they offered, so we can’t complain. We have one more release contractually with Arctic after that we will see what happens…
Please compared “The World, The Flesh & The Devil” between your old stuff, what the develop? Achievement? Something different?
Xul: As stated previous; I think each album has a new level of maturity all around. We have been trying to add some diversity to the albums.
Ok Xaphan, how about your vox and evil scream? Do you really like it? Who vox style that inspired you? Why them? and how about metal guitarist you hail most? and give your honor view about them!!
Xaphan: I don’t think about it. My vocal style is my vocal style. But I think many get Xul’s tormenting screams and vocals confused as being mine. I have much more of a throaty vocal style and don’t really belt vocals out, they are just choked up. Yet on the new release I think it’s much more evident. I can’t say I have a vocal style that has inspired me since vocals is something I just took up out of necessity of having to when we formed the band. What got me into guitar was Ace Frehley when I was a kid because I was a huge Kiss fanatic. I wouldn’t say I hail him most though. There’s not really a guitarist that I would hail as being the best since growing up I have listened to bands as bands and not for a certain guitarists if you know what I mean. I don’t have any guitar idols in other words.
What do you think about corpse paint, spikes, pentagram, bullet war? and does anything must wear it if they want to look evil black metal? How about you guys? and what your honor view about a black metal band didn’t wear it when perform live?
Xul: Corpse paint and the above transform the image with the music into its pure form: evil. If other bands choose to display the black metal colors - that’s up to them, it makes no difference to me. We apply it to what we do to proclaim war and to display the dark aura that the music creates.
Look back your old demo, what your view when heard back nowadays? if you can back to the future, what you want to do? make more and more blasphemy into it?
Xul: I don’t listen to the old demos too often but they are the building blocks of what we are creating today. I have no regrets.
Xaphan: Exactly, “Order of the Fly” is what it is. Looking back no regrets here either although I seldom listen to our own music once it has been recorded.
Before this new album, you guys released two split cd right? But I don’t have a chance to hear it. So please do explain us about it? and how about their selling? What label managed it?
Xaphan: Sort of. Two were to be released but one has only been released at this point that being the split with horn of Valere titled “Through War or Suicide”. The other split, the one with Vrolok, will be released shortly and it’s titled “Feast of Sacrilegious Impurity”. Both releases have the same two studio tracks on them, those being “Blood, Death & Damnation” and a cover of Sodom's “Blasphemer.” These were recorded in November 2004 down in Miami at a place called Nuclear Soundlabs. The difference between the two releases is the Horn of Valere split is on 10” vinyl and the split with Vrolok will be on an enhanced CD. Both have live tracks as well, the 10” has Garden of Shadows and the CD version has “Rex Infernus in Excelsis”, “Oculus Infernum” and “Perpetual Demise of the Bastard Son” live board mixes plus CD-ROM live 3 camera mix of those same live songs. The 10” since it was a limited print to 500 I think copies are pretty much all gone. We have very few of what was given to us left. The split with Vrolok will be released by an American label but one that will remain unnamed until all bases are covered.
Tours to promote “The World, The Flesh & The Devil”, where and when? Could you shared with us any great moment with your fans? How about coming soon performance? Have you ever thought to perform live in Asia? Which Asian country you like most to play? Why?
Xul: We just came back from an East coast US tour… We are looking into some more dates but nothing is confirmed right now. We would like to be able to go to every continent; it all depends on schedules and promoters. We will see…
Xaphan: The East Coast tour was with Blood Storm, Teratism and Horn of Valere and was 15 days of hell and blasphemy.
Kult Ov Azazel influenced for long time ago? Why them? Do you ever make a contact or meet them? and what band do you like to listen right now? Can you explain me why did you choose Black Metal as band music concept?
Xul: Black metal is what we listen to and live by. As a musician it was only natural to play and be involved with black metal… this is part of our lives. I not many of my influences… but I am not one to ask people for autographs or anything like that. I don’t think it would be worth too much unless I really new them.
Want kind of guitar do you have? How many? how about effects? What do you used? What would be a perfect guitar for you? Since when you played a guitar?
Xaphan: I started playing guitar at the age of 8 but didn’t get serious with it until around the age of 10. I have two Jackson Rhodes Pro V and two BC Rich, one NJ Ironbird and one NJ Warlock. My effects only consist of a metal zone pedal and a suppressor pedal. I run through a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier head into Marshall cabs. The perfect guitar for me is my black Jackson V I’m always playing. I wouldn’t replace it with anything, it’s perfect although it’s all beat to hell and back.
What your opinion about USA metal u/g scene? I think many good bands there. Could you tell us about poser / trendy in your scene? Are this two shit become any problem in your scene? What it is?
Xul: The US metal scene has its up’s and downs and is stronger in different areas of the country. There are a lot bands that are worth listening to here and the US should be recognized as an integral part of the scene. Most of the blood that flows through-out is due to the US scene.
How many compilation your band was joined? How the deal with them? Is the compilation important for your band? Please list a compilation the band was joined?
Xaphan: We have been on I think something like seven compilations I believe. The deal with each label has been different in each instance so no need to get into all that. Instead of naming all the comps I’ll just list the ones worth seeking out, those being the “American Black Metal Assault”, “Jesus Wept Vol. 1 & 2” and “Destroyers From the Western Skies”.
Do you listen / know any band / read any fanzine from my country?
Xaphan: Impiety comes to mind and of course Virus Zine!
Sorry Xaphan, I must ask this. Are you thinking that Kult Ov Azazel has their own originality? and your view about a band just want to be a clone band.
Xul: The music we create is firstly for ourselves, secondly for what ever else it becomes.
Xaphan: I couldn’t have said that any better. I do believe we have our own identity, our own sound. My views on clone bands is what the fuck ever, if they want to copy other bands sounds, good for them but there’s not much originality in doing that.
Any merchandise you sell? t shirt, patch, button etc!!
Xaphan: All merch can be found through our website: www.kultovazazel.com.
Ok Xaphan, before say goodbye, I like to thanks you so much Kult Ov Azazel battle hellaxes … sorry if my question too long. Give your last not least from the demonbeast!! Thanx and good luck!!
Xaphan: Thanks to you for the support. Horns up!!
Xul: Hails!
| | |