Interviewed by Stefan & answered by Xaphan Hails Xaphan, hope you're alright and ready to talk about your blasphemous musical work with KULT OV AZAZEL! Let's start with the latest news… Not much here, just we have finished up the recording of the new album. There's a new album called "Oculus Infernum" at the darkened horizon, what can you tell me about it. The MP3 I already heard sounds a bit slower, more grim (especially the vocals) and more varied than the stuff on "Triumph of Fire". Would you agree? How would you describe the new CD? Any musical experiments? Will it be out on Vinyl? Yeah I would agree that this album will be much more varied than it was on "Triumph of Fire". The best way to describe this new recording would be saying it's a cross between "Order of the Fly" and "Triumph of Fire". It's not 40 minutes of all out blasting, but it's still speedy with a lot more tempo switches. There were no musical experiments with this, just straight black fucking metal! And yes, this will be released on vinyl by Regimental Records once our label Arctic Music releases it. And talking of Vinyl, your first MCD "Order Of The Fly" was just re-released on black gold by Autopsy Stench Records, I bought it and it fuckin' kills, tell me more about this release and the bonus songs that are on the Vinyl version! How did you get in contact with that German label? Yes, this was released by Autopsy Stench and in fact they contacted us about doing this. What it came down to was Harry of ASR contacted me about the "Order of the Fly" LP that was due to be released through Crooked Crosses Records. To make a long story short, CCR was having problems getting this out so after a year of no progress and the offer from ASR we decided to let them do it. I heard that MALEVOLENT CREATION members have assisted KULT OV AZAZEL as Live musicians, is that true? Did they wear warpaint? Well in a sense, Gus Rios (Vetis), who helped Malevolent Creation out a few times, session drummed on "Triumph of Fire" and has assisted us in live situations since 1999 when our drummer Von was booted out. But since 2002 we have incorporated a permanent drummer and now have a full line-up. KULT OV AZAZEL are signed to Arctic Music the label of M.C.'s Phil Fasciana, how did this collaboration come about? I have known Phil for some time now, since 1993 to be exact. When he started his label he brought me into the fold to do web design for them and shit. A few months later, Phil asked if we wanted to share a warehouse with Malevolent Creation and at the time Gus was helping them out with the writing of "Envenomed". We needed his help in doing some shows so we agreed to move into the Malevolent Creation warehouse and this was when Phil finally witnessed Kult ov Azazel. Since we didn't have a PA at the time, Xul did the vocals over the music as we practiced for this show. Phil was floored that he didn't need a PA and by the intensity of the music. After that night he signed us and the rest is history… Let's talk a bit more detailed about "Oculus…", where was it recorded, who produced it and how much time did you invest in recording your newest hellish assault? Were there any problems during the recording process or was it an easy affair? The album was tracked at Rhythm Track Studios, then mixed/mastered at Studio 13 and produced by us. It definitely was no easy affair. Yes many problems arose while trying to complete this fucker. First off after the tracking was done, Rhythm Tracks studios folded and this left us in a fucked up situation for about 2 months until we could find another studio to finish it up at. Jeremy Staska, the guy that engineered and mixed "Triumph of Fire" offered to help us out but we had to work around the bands he'd already booked to record. So pretty much once we got into Studio 13 to finish it up we took our time mixing it down. We felt there was no need to rush it and by taking our time and by evaluating the songs it would make a big difference in the long run. So that's what we did, we took our time, made some changes and added some ideas. In the end, I think we did what was best and with this release I believe it will show. How serious is the blasphemous and Christ-mocking attitude that surfaces through KULT OV AZAZEL's music? Do you live it, feel it? Or is just part of your image? How does your hatred for Christianity manifest in reality? Yes I live it, feel it and breathe it. There's no image here. Image means nothing to me or anyone else in this band. My hatred manifests itself through the music I compose and lyrics I write. Do you have a certain interest in occult and satanic books? What do you think about movies like "The Exorcist" or "Rosemary's Baby"? I especially love the latter, because there Satanism appears in a very real and intense form, not just a plain Horror motive, would you agree? Yes, I have interest in not only books of the occult but for the movies, music and other things related to such a topic. Both the movies you mention are in my top 5 favorite movies of all time and I do agree with you about Rosemary's Baby. That movie had a more "real feel" aspect to it other than most movies around that time in the horror genre. What do you prefer: the "Do what thou wilt" attitude of Crowley or the principles of LaVey? Have you read their works? Have you ever practised or participated in Satanic rituals? I prefer living the way I feel I should not by the way others say I should. I have read both Crowley and LaVey's works and have gained useful knowledge from both. But they both had common similarities so to say one is right and the other is not would be to say both are wrong. Let's just say that both authors' works and writings have been insightful in my voyage down the left hand path and yes I have practiced and participated in rituals. How do you perceive Christian influence in today's society? Why do you hate Christianity? In my opinion especially the Catholic Church stands in opposition to the natural behaviour of human beings (e.g. celibacy) and thus encourages serious crimes like (child) rape and sexual exploitation of women, would you agree? One should destroy this immoral, corrupt reign of fucking perverts!!! The hold of christianity weakens with every day, every month, and every year. I don't think its grip is as strong on society as it was say 20 to 30 years ago. Many people have come to realize over these years that religion is nothing but man made laws of self righteousness written to subjugate the carnal forces within us. I think that over time people have begun see the bullshit and realize that most of the scum that come in the guise of holy men are nothing more than charlatans and manipulators of the weak. Yes the Catholic Church is a shining example of this but it doesn't stop there. All religions wish nothing more than to impose their "god" and "faith" upon everyone under the banner of lies. I am of the opinion that all these scum need to be destroyed, not just a certain religion but all! And this will eventually be the outcome, with science comes technology and with technology comes knowledge and with these 3 things there's no room for any false "gods" or imaginary deities. It's just a matter of time before all religions crumble. What does inspire you musically and lyrically? Do you need a special atmosphere to be creative? What bands made you want to play brutal and aggressive Black Metal? Many things can trigger inspiration for me. It can be anything from tone of a single note to an idea that continues to plague me. There is no special atmosphere needed for me write songs. I would have to say though that the majority of the music I write is done under the influence, and the influence can be many different things. But for the most part when I do write it's usually while fucked up. It's when I'm sober that I clean up the riffs and piece everything together. The bands that have inspired me are Venom, Destruction, Possessed, Onslaught, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Sodom, Kreator, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, Beherit, Blasphemy, Profanatica and I could go on and on but it's Venom that started it for me with "Welcome to Hell". After hearing that album, it changed my life. Tell me more about your regional and national Metal scene! Florida used to be the No. 1 Death Metal state in the US, are there still as much fantastic bands as in the early 90's? Which Floridian bands can you recommend to the readers? Are there often Metal shows in that region? No Florida is nothing like it was in the early 90's. Shows do come through and attendance is good for the majority of them but as far as bands in Florida go, it's nothing to write home about. Only two bands come to mind that are worth checking out and that's Black Witchery and Cryptic Winds (R.I.P.). As far as death metal goes, Malevolent Creations is still around and there's Hibernus Mortis and Impurity. What other US bands are you in contact with? How is the support among each other? Way too many to name since we have established tons of contacts since we formed. The support amongst bands is good though. What do you know about the European Metal scene, are you in contact with some bands from the "old world"? Which European bands do you like most? Yes I am in contact with bands from all over the fucking world. The European bands I would mention would be Nargaroth, Antaeus, Merrimack, Tenebrosus, Malleus Maleficarum, Corpus Christi, Genocide Kommando, Secrets of the Moon, Infernal Decay, Graven, Satan's Blood, Temple of Baal, Maniac Butcher, Belphegor, Abigor, Ungod and I'm sure I'm forgetting others but these are the bands I find to be among the elite coming from that side of the Atlantic at the present time. What do you think about Europe in general, have you ever been here? What do you think about the renaming of "French Fries" into "Freedom Fries" that happened lately in Washington? I have been to Europe and it was much different than America but nonetheless I enjoyed it. The metal scene over there is much more intense and shows are a lot bigger in turn out than what you'd see in America. As for the freedom fries thing, it's ridiculous. Nothing more to say other than it's very moronic. Ok, back to Metal, your Live LP "Assaulting The Masses" is fucking killer, Vasili played it to me lately, great raw and brutal sound, hellish aggression! When will you visit Europe for a tour? You should get your asses over here and destroy anything in sight!!!! There are no plans for us to come to Europe. We'd like too but don't have the funds to pay the expenses that come with getting over there. If we are ever approached by a promoter or booking agency that wants to bring us over we'll definitely take the opportunity. But to this date no one has ever contacted us to do any shows in Europe. Well I think we can come to an end now, just tell me what KULT OV AZAZEL's next steps are and add a loud cheer to all the blasphemers out there!!! Next up for us will be the release of the Kult ov Azazel/Satan's Blood split 7" on Autopsy Stench Records. 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" and with any luck make it over to Europe. Thanks for the interview. 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.