KULT OV AZAZEL
-
Kult Ov Azazel
is a black metal act straight from the depths of hell. This statement can
be easily proven if you listen to their amazing latest release "Oculus
Infernum", whose main point is the speed and hatred that gushes up from
the band's very existence. So, read below to see what the bassist and one
of the band's vocalist, Xul told us...
-
1.FIRST OF ALL CONGRATULATIONS FOR
YOUR LATEST RELEASE "OCULUS INFERNUM"! INTRODUCE THE BAND TO THE READERS
AND POINT OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS OF THE BAND'S HISTORY.
-
Xul: Hails. Kult ov Azazel currently
consists of Xul (myself) on vocals and bass, Xaphan on guitars and vocals,
Nocturath on guitars and vocals and Goss the Hammer on drums. The band
has been through a shit load of drama with member changes and we finally
have a consistent line-up that should hold up. Honorable moments would
definitely be the releases of our old material; "Order of the Fly" in 1999
the first year Xaphan and I formed this horde, the split cd with Krieg,
"Triumph of Fire", and now "Oculus Infernum". Participation on a number
of compilations with amazing bands and playing the Sacrifice of the Nazarene
child fest are definitely ranked in our accomplishments.
2.WHY DID YOU NAME THE BAND THIS WAY?
WHY DID YOU USE A K INSTEAD OF A C IN THE WORD CULT? DO YOU LIKE THE DEMON
AZAZEL?
-
Xul: Originally I was doing a
solo project named 'Erebus' before I worked with Xaphan. Xaphan was
also doing a solo project under the name "Azazel"; and when we started
forming idea's for our collaboration, we both decided to keep 'Azazel'
as the final name. When we decided to change the name to 'Kult ov
Azazel' we wanted make sure people would not forget about all the work
in the underground we put in by changing it to something completely different.
While thinking of what we wanted to rename the band it was just natural
for us to us the K vs. C. and the ov vs. of because of the occult influence
we both have. The name uses old Germanic writing style which suites our
intentions and agenda. At the time it was also original....which is not
the case now but with leaders their must be followers.
3.TELL US A FEW THINGS REGARDING "OCULUS
INFERNUM" AND POINT OUT THE DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITES WITH YOUR PREVIOUS
RELEASE. ARE YOU STILL SATISFIED WITH IT?
-
Xul: "Oculus Infernum" took a
long time to complete due to many issue's concerning the studio, band members'
schedules, and writing. The album is really a year old to us but has finally
been unleashed. I think "Triumph of Fire" and "Oculus Infernum" is completely
different albums, which I didn't like at first but now that I have them
both I can definetely see an improvement and variation in technique that
shows maturity. The new album has the same unrelenting feel of hatred
and disgust for religion but also feels darker.
4.WHY DO YOU HAVE SO PROFOUNDLY ANTI-CHIRSTIAN
LYRICS? WHAT INSPIRES YOU AND ATTRACTS YOU IN SUCH THEMES?
-
Xul: The only thing I can tell
you is that it's a natural disgust. I can't tell you anything you haven't
heard before if you've read the lyrics. In OI we developed more with the
lyrics and really focused more on anti-xtianity.
5.WHY DO YOU THINK METAL KEEPS INVOLVING
SO MUCH THE OCCULT AND RELIGION?
-
Xul: Metal is a release of all
that is unholy and black. Society deprives humans of these feelings and
metal proves that this is natural, or at least for the people who are truly
into it. One reason that I listen to music that is based on the occult
or religion is because I can relate to it; whether it be interest, knowledge,
or experience.
6.WHY DO YOU USE NICKNAMES AND CORPSEPAINT?
DO YOU THINK THAT IT'S A TREND YOU ARE "OBLIGED" TO FOLLOW OR A LIFE STYLE
CREATING AT THE SAME TIME AN ATMOSPHERE AROUND THE BAND AND YOURSLEVES?
-
Xul: We use infernal names and corpse
paint to develop an atmosphere to accompany the terror in the music. I
learned a hard lesson in metal early on that made me hate it. Humans are
involved in it. Humans are fucking scum. I hold metal above humans and
the use of corpse paint and infernal names puts us where black metal is....beyond
human.
7.NAME SOME OF THE BAND'S INFLUENCES
AND SOME OF YOUR MOST BELOVED ALBUMS. WHICH MUSICIANS "HELPED" YOU REALIZE
THAT YOU WANTED TO INVOLVE WITH MUSIC?
-
Xul: Kult ov Azazel is influenced
by war, occultism, death, and anything unholy. As far as favorite albums
go....there are way too many to list. Speaking for myself, id have
to say Slayer - Reign in blood, Possessed - Seven Churches, Grotesque -
in the embrace of evil, Mayhem - Mysteriis dom Sathanas, All Burzum, All
Dissection, Destruction, Beherit, I'd be here all day If I continued to
list albums as well. The only musicians that made me realize that I wanted
to be involved with music were the guys I was playing with before this
band and currently in this band.
8.BLACK METAL STARTED AS AN UNDERGROUND
ACT GOING AGAINST THE STREAM AND PROVOKING VARIOUS EXTREME REACTIONS. HOWEVER,
LATELY WE SEE MANY BLACK METAL BANDS BECOMING FAMOUS. DON'T YOU THINK THAT
BLACK METAL AND FAMACITY COLLIDE?
-
Xul: Well, I wouldn't say these bands
are necessarily famous nor would I call them pure black metal. I think
these bands have roots in the genre and a sound that is comparable to black
metal. If these bands are doing what they want and not being fed some corporate
bull shit then more power to them. I could give a fuck about it unless
it affects me.
9.WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A FAN, UNFAMILIAR
WITH YOUR MUSIC, TO WIN HIS ATTENTION? WHICH IS THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE THING
IN YOUR MUSIC?
-
Xul: I really don't care if anyone
like's the music or not. This is mainly a release for the members in the
band...if we get a following and people can attach themselves to it then...whatever.
Everyone gets different things out of music and it should be more of a
personal venture to truly gain something from it. I think the speed and
hate are definetely the most recognizable attributes to the music, especially
to someone who has never heard it before.
10.DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR PERFORMING
LIVE? HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU? HOW EASY IS IT FOR YOU TO PERFORM LIVE
IN USA? IS THERE AN AUDIENCE FOR THE EXTREME METAL BANDS OVER THERE?
-
Xul: Right now we have a couple shows
that we have been asked to do, mostly one off's in Texas, New Jersey, and
New York but due to member schedules I don't think we will be participating.
We are currently looking to do a tour but nothing is definite yet. We would
like to do more live shows but it is very hard for us. Nocturath lives
up-state and Goss lives in New York but is traveling with other bands as
a drum tech 75% of the year. The people here in the states are very unpredictable.
One show you could have 300 people there and another have 30; different
areas vary and promotion is a huge factor.
11.WHICH IS THE SILLIEST THING YOU
DID IN ORDER TO WIN A WOMAN'S ATTENTION?
-
Xul: I don't degrade myself for other
people's enjoyment.
12.IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET THE
CREATURE THAT CREATED THE UNIVERSE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ASK HIM?
-
Xul: "Why are you such a fucking
prick?" as I slit his throat.
13.YOU ARE GRANTED ONE WISH. WHAT WOULD
YOU DO WITH IT?
-
Xul: I think I'd be a greedy bastard
and ask for money.
14.IF YOU COULD TRAVEL BACK IN TIME,
WHICH HISTORICAL PERIOD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT AND WHAT WOULD YOU MISS
THE MOST FROM OUR TIMES?
-
Xul: I would travel back to the Roman
Empire to witness the death of Christ. I would miss technology from our
time...no cd's or anything would fucking suck.
15.WHAT TITLE WOULD YOU LIKE THIS INTERVIEW
TO HAVE?
-
Xul: You stumped me...I can't think
of anything creative. These interviews are draining.
16.THANK YOU! HAVE I FORGOTTEN TO ASK
YOU ANYTHING AND YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION?
-
Xul: I think you've got it all here.
Thank you for your interest in the band. "Oculus Infernum" will be out
June 24th worldwide. Visit our hellsite for the latest news and merchandise:
www.kultovazazel.com
-
Void...Horror...Hell.
Christine
"azriel" Parastatidou