Interviewed by Orlando de Brock & answered by Xaphan What's the history of the band? Kult ov Azazel was formed in the spring equinox of 1999 under the infernal name Azazel consisting of Xaphan (myself) on guitar/vocals, Xul on vocals/bass and Von on drums. Under this name and lineup we recorded and released “Order of the Fly”. Soon after Von was booted out and Hellspawn took over drum duties and with this lineup we recorded and released the material on the split CD with Krieg (USA). In the spring of 2000 we kicked out Hellspawn, decided to change the band name to Kult ov Azazel and signed a 4 album deal with Arctic Music. In March 2001 we released our first full length “Triumph of Fire” with Vetis participating as a session drummer on that release. We have also participated in a 7” split with Satan’s Blood (GER); a 4 way split with Obitus (SWE), Humanicide (USA) and Thylord (FRA) and have been included on numerous compilations. In 2003 we launched our second major offensive for Arctic Music titled “Oculus Infernum” which is the first time we have recorded with a full permanent lineup which now consists of myself (vocals/guitar), Xul (vocals/ bass), Nocturath (guitar/backing vocals) and The Hammer (drums). Who's writing the songs? On past releases Xul mostly wrote all the lyrics with the exception to the song "Destruction to the Throne of God" but on the new album I penned the majority of them. Can you tell me more about the album? Our newest album "Oculus Infernum" is a pure mayhemic release of profane and furious black metal. This title translates to Eye of Hell" and it consists of 8 original tracks and 1 Beherit cover. There were no musical experiments with this, just straight black fucking metal. The album was tracked at Rhythm Track Studios, then mixed/mastered at Studio 13 and produced by us. It definitely was no easy affair. Many problems arose while trying to complete it with the first being after the tracking was done, Rhythm Tracks studio suddenly closed down and this left us in a fucked up situation for about 2 months until we could find another studio to finish it at. Jeremy Staska, who 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. We then took our time mixing it down, made some changes and added some ideas. In the end, I believe it has been our best album to date. What can you tell me about the song lyrics? Our lyrics stem from our own personal involvement with the occult and the feelings we harbor towards a filthy, blinded monotheistic society. I do not have the time nor do I want to waste my energy going over every individual song itself since the lyrics can be interrupted in many ways. I will just tell you the basic underlying theme is those of satanic and nihilistic ideologies. Did you no each other before you started the band? No. I met Xul in 1999 and then we formed the band. We did not meet Nocturath until late 1999 and he did not become part of the band until 2002. We met The Hammer in 2001 and that same year he was added to the lineup. Are you influenced by other bands? There are a lot of bands that have inspired us and it would be almost impossible for me to list them here. Speaking for myself though I can tell you the albums that to this day hold tons of inspiration for me and they are Venom "Welcome to Hell" and "Black Metal", Possessed "Seven Churches", Destruction "Infernal Overkill", Sodom "In the Sign of Evil", Bathory "The Return of Darkness and Evil", Beherit "The Oath of the Black Mark" and “Drawing Down the Moon”, Hobbs "Angel of Death", Darkthrone "A Blaze in the Northern Sky" and "Panzerfaust", Mayhem "Deathcrush' and "de Mysteriis dom Sathnas", Mercyful Fate "Melissa" and "Don't Break the Oath", Blasphemy “Fallen Angel of Doom” and "Gods of War", Onslaught "Power from Hell", Celtic Frost "Morbid Tales" and "To Mega Therion", Hellhammer "Satanic Rites" and "Apocalyptic Raids", Acheron "Rites of the Black Mass", Exodus "Bonded by Blood", Slayer "Show No Mercy" and "Reign in Blood", Gorgoroth "Antichrist" and “Pentagram", Impaled Nazarene "Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz" and Havohej "Dethrone the Son of God". What means Black Metal to you? Black metal is the embodiment of hatred, destruction and blasphemy in musical form. When will you playing Holland? Not anytime soon I'm afraid to say. Where you live are the people interest in Black Metal? Here in Florida there are quite many that show up at shows that are into black metal but America as a whole it’s hit or miss. The turnouts for shows in America are by no means anything comparable to those in Europe, or Holland for that matter. Where do you live? Fort Lauderdale Florida, USA Can you say something about maybe a new album? We have just finished writing the material for our next album and it will be titled “The World, The Flesh & The Devil”. It will consist of no less than 9 new hymns but this is all I reveal right now. Do you have a job apart from the band? Yes I run live sound for a living. I have done tours running sound for Malevolent Creation, In Aeternum, Rotten Sound to name a few. What’s your favorite film? It's always been a tie between The Exorcist and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Can you tell me about the future of Kult ov Azazel? Maybe if I was a psychic but I am not so I have no idea what the future holds. I like your music, why is it so damn good? Thanks but not everyone holds your same opinion and I can't answer this question. Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe because we spend time learning how to play our instruments? Do you have something to add? Just that we can be contacted at Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307, USA or info and contact can be found online at www.kultovazazel.com The personal Black Metal top 5. 1. Darkthrone “A Blaze in the Northern Sky” 2. Mayhem “de Mysteriis dom Sathanas” 3. Gorgoroth “Pentagram” 4. Beherit “Drawing Down the Moon” 5. Blasphemy “Gods of War”