KULT OV AZAZEL
If
you think that United States didn´t have great true black metal acts, you must
be insane...because one of the best new black metal legend coming from the
South Florida to destroy all christianity and burn all saints!!! The true old
black metal roots and feelings are listen in the KULT OV AZAZEL dark ellite
horde! The new masterpice of the band is simple named OCULUS INFERNUM, a crude
and intense holochaust in form of music to worship the master from darkness.
KREPUSKULUM interviewed Xaphan (Guitars & Vocals).
KREPUSKULUM:
KULT OV AZAZEL is
now a kind of legend in the american black metal underground, talk to us about
the band´s tragectory from the beginning to now.
XAPHAN:
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). Currently we
are working on a new album titled “The World, The Flesh & The Devil”.
The
cover artwork of the OCULUS INFERNUM is very interesting and deep. Is it a
torture chamber? What it means for you? What is the reason to didin´t put the
band´s logo in it?
Yes
it’s called “The Rack”. The cover art is a grim interpretation of a
torture chamber and its devices within. It was inspired by a Nocturathian vision
of the reversal of parts in a time such as The Crusades and reflects the lyrics
to the title track of the album. Inside the woodcuts and images interact with
the theme of the lyrics making this album homage to the eternal death of purity
and sanctity. We decided not to put the logo on it because we felt it did not
really fit anywhere since we have such an awkward logo.
The
sound production in the great new album is good, but the music sounds like the
80th scandinaviam black metal releases. Am I right? Is it your intention?
Our
intentions with it were to write an album that would crush our past releases and
I think we accomplished our misison. I do not agree with you about it sounding
like the 80th Scandinvian release. I think the new album has about as much
resemblence to Scandinavian black metal as Venom does with Skid Row. That means
none whatsoever.
The
agressivity of the new album is very impressive, we think that it is the most
brutal album of the KULT OV AZAZEL history? Do you agree with me?
Of
course I do, we are very proud of it.
KULT
OF AZAZEL create only raw, crude and truly black attacks. What do you think
about the called "Melodic Black Metal" that includes female vocals,
violins and this kind of things?
Whatever
floats your boat. If it’s satanic and is used as a weapon against religion
then you can put banjos, spoons and bongos in as far as I’m concerned.
Doesn’t mean I have to like it and the fact of the matter is it would most
likely suck but I think you have to give some kind of respect to people that
have it in them to take a stand against religion be it through music, art or
violence.
All
lyrics of the band talk about Satan´s empire, like the fabulous MARK OF THE
DEVIL. Are you satanists? Do you believe in SATAN and in their supremacy
in the Earth? Are you members of some organization like CHURCH of SATAN? What do
you think about La vey and Crowley?
Yes
we are satanist. I have lots of respect for both Crowley and LaVey and I am in
fact a member of Church of Satan. The others have their own strain of satanic
ideaology as do I but I’m the only one that has any affiliation with Church of
Satan out of the band. As I have stated many times in the past I joined the CoS
out of respect for LaVey but have not had close ties since he died.
Where
come from the fury and hate of your music? Are you nihilists? Do you believe in
mankind?
The
fury and hate comes from within and of course we believe in mankind,
unfortuneately humans are a reality. You can touch them, smell them, see them,
hear them so they are very much real. Speaking for myself I am very more so a
misanthropist than a nihilist although I have about as much respect for mankind
as I do for a pile of dog shit. I am not a people person. But in general I
believe our lyrics pretty much sum up our views and idealogy. They are more than
just words.
In
your opinion, what are the 10 best Black Metal bands of all times, and what are
the 10 best bands now? If possible, list your 10 favourite metal albums of all
times.
Black
metal of all time would be Darkthrone, Beherit, Impaled Nazarene, Gorgoroth,
Mayhem, Blasphemy, Immortal, Marduk, Profanatica and Von. Bands today
would be Antaeus, Krieg, Merrimack, Nargaroth, Inquisition, Impiety, Xasthur,
Thornspawn, Belphegor and Demoncy. 10 favorite albums of all time even though I
could list more than 10 would be: Venom „ Black Metal“, Darkthrone „ A
Blaze in the Northern Sky“, Possessed „Seven Churches“, Mayhem „ De
Mysteriis dom Sathnas“, Destruction „Infernal Overkill“, Gorgoroth
„Pentagram“, Slayer „Reign in Blood“, Beherit „Drawing Down the
Moon“, Mercyful Fate „Melissa“and Blasphemy „Gods of War“.
The
music fashions dominated the noth american media and to play metal in United
States now is only for real lovers of this kind of music. Do you live of your
music or do you have other jobs?
None
of us live off this band. I am a live sound engineer, Hammer is a drum tech, Xul
is a newtwork engineer and Nocturath does graphic/art design. We do this because
we live for the music and we have a driving passion to create blasphemies
through the medium of music.
Talk
to us about the tour to promote OCULUM INFERNUM, do you intend to give some gigs
in Europe and South America?
Europe
is being discussed but nothing for South America. We have not yet had any
offers to come down there but if the opportunity presents itself you and others
can rest assured we’ll take it.
THANK
YOU FOR THE INTERVIEW! HAIL KULT OV AZAZEL!!! Give your last words to the black
hordes around the globe!
Thanks for the interview. All that wish to gain more info on the band or get in contact with us can do so through www.kultovazazel.com or through our snail mail at Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Fort Lauderdale FL 33307, USA. Ave Mortalis Letum!!!!
______________________________________________
Contacts: