All Interviews
Kult Ov Azazel
Kult Ov Azazel
Posted on Jul 13, 2005
by Anders
I got hooked on this American black metal in 2001, when I heard their debut full lenght "Triumph Of Fire". Since then there have been a lot of releases and a lot of line up changes in the band. Though the core of the band bassist and vocalist Xul and guitarist and vocalist Xaphan, have continued the blasphemous train of Kult Ov Azazel. I hooked up with Xaphan a while ago, to get some information on the bands 3 new releases, the split CD with Vrolok due on Arctic Music, the 10" split LP with Horn Of Valere due on Abort The World Records and Kult Ov Azazel's new full length album "The World, The Flesh & The Devil" out on Arctic Music.
Hail Xaphan, how are things at the moment?
At the moment things are going well.
A few things have happened in the Kult ov Azazel camp since the release of your last album "Oculus Infernum". Among other things Nocturath has left the band and VJS has joined, will you give us some details?
Nocturath left due to personal obligations yet his presence on the new album is not totally void since there are a few tracks on there that we co-wrote together plus he has done the artwork and layout.
What does VJS bring the band?
VJS has been filling in live for Nocturath since the summer of 2004 so before the album what he brought was the ability for us to keep the band a four piece and to continue executing the songs the way they were written. On the album he has contributed some lyrics since the music for the entire thing had been written before he took over Nocturath's position.
Are Kult Ov Azazel a stronger horde now, or has the line up change set the band a bit back?
The foundation has always been Xul and I so unless something happens to one of us any lineup changes whether it is past, present or future will never hinder the band. Since the beginning we have been through numerous drummers, multiple guitarists and it have never stopped us. However I will say that the present lineup is our strongest.
You are soon ready with the 2 split albums with Vrolok and Horns Of Valere; will you fill us in on the details on those 2 releases?
The studio tracks were recorded the day after we returned from our West Coast '04 mini tour. We did them down in Miami at a place called Nuclear Soundlabs and the live tracks are from September 2004 when we co-headlined the Deicide show in Fort Lauderdale. Both releases will have the same two studio tracks on them, those being 'Blood, Death & Damnation' and a cover of Sodom's 'Blasphemer'. The difference between the two is this: the split with Vrolok will be released through Arctic Music and will also include on our portion live tracks of 'Rex Infernus In Excelsis', 'Oculus Infernum' and 'Perpetual Demise Of The Bastard Son' being also a enhanced interactive CD-ROM with those same three live tracks, so one will get to see the actual show footage. The Horn Of Valere split will be in 10" vinyl form, being released through Abort The World Records with one live track, 'Garden Of Shadows' to keeps things different from split CD.
You have just finished the recordings for your new full length album "The World, The Flesh & The Devil", did it go well?
It went as well as one could expect. This time around we went in much more prepared than we had been on the last album. Also the production on this one is much thicker, having more of an organic sound as opposed a digital sound such as the past two releases. It's got more depth I guess would be a way to put it. I'm satisfied with it so in the end that's all that matters.
What can we expect from the album, another crushing assault from you?
I can only say that it's nothing like our past recordings but in a way a continuation of the direction we were going on the last one. It will still be crushing that's for sure; it's a trait of this band but whereas in the past every song was blasting this time it's more diverse song wise. In fact some songs have no blasting at all if that tells you anything.
What has inspired the song writing on the new album?
Nothing that I could pinpoint since I don't write down exactly what I am thinking at the moment a riff is being written. I get asked this question a lot so maybe it's something I should start doing or maybe not actually.
Have you discovered new or older bands lately, which have meant something to you and have given you some inspiration?
Yeah but nothing jumps out at me right now where I can start rambling off names. Just when I hear a release that I think is killer that is the inspiration.
Any news inspirations on the lyrical side of the band… do you care to tell a bit about the lyrics or lyrical themes on the coming album?
Lyrical content and theme for each of the songs are all based around the title. The lyrics are pretty much inspired by my obsession with the occult, my utter abhorrence of religion and sometimes by what I see going on in the world around me.
How do you see the evolution of Kult Ov Azazel and how do you want to put it to words?
I would say overtime our sound has become more defined and we have gotten better musically. We have much more experience now than say back in 1999 when we recorded "Order Of The Fly".
How have you developed as a person and a musician while being in Kult Ov Azazel?
As a person being in the band hasn't changed me at all. I'm still the same guy I was say 10 years ago before the band even existed. As a musician, I'm way more experienced without a doubt. I mean if I hadn't evolved over these past six years at what I have been doing I would just stop playing.
How well did "Oculus Infernum" sell and did you gain some more fans with it?
I have no idea how well it sold since I have never bothered to find out. Not a concern for me so never been something I think to ask when in contact with the label. My guess would be it did well, I know it got decent reviews. Support wise, I don't know if it gained us some or lost us some. The music first and foremost is something that we must be satisfied with or we wouldn't release it. What others think and feel is secondary if considered at all. If one likes our music great, if they don't that's fine by us as well.
After the releases of the 2 splits and the full length album, do you have any touring planned?
We are in discussions about this but nothing is for sure at the moment.
What about a trip to Europe/Scandinavia soon?
I would like say soon but that is unlikely going to happen. The opportunity to come there has never been extended to us so I don't expect it to be much different once this new album is out.
What have you been listening to a lot lately, besides your own music?
Vrolok, Tenebrous, Breath Of Sorrows and Demon Sword are the bands I've listened to the over past few days.
Thanks a ton for this interview Xaphan, feel free to end it as you wish!
"The World, The Flesh & The Devil" will be out June 28th so keep an eye out for that. Also thanks for once again having us in Nocturnal Horde. Your support is greatly appreciated! Ad Majorem Satani Gloriam!!
At the moment things are going well.
A few things have happened in the Kult ov Azazel camp since the release of your last album "Oculus Infernum". Among other things Nocturath has left the band and VJS has joined, will you give us some details?
Nocturath left due to personal obligations yet his presence on the new album is not totally void since there are a few tracks on there that we co-wrote together plus he has done the artwork and layout.
What does VJS bring the band?
VJS has been filling in live for Nocturath since the summer of 2004 so before the album what he brought was the ability for us to keep the band a four piece and to continue executing the songs the way they were written. On the album he has contributed some lyrics since the music for the entire thing had been written before he took over Nocturath's position.
Are Kult Ov Azazel a stronger horde now, or has the line up change set the band a bit back?
The foundation has always been Xul and I so unless something happens to one of us any lineup changes whether it is past, present or future will never hinder the band. Since the beginning we have been through numerous drummers, multiple guitarists and it have never stopped us. However I will say that the present lineup is our strongest.
You are soon ready with the 2 split albums with Vrolok and Horns Of Valere; will you fill us in on the details on those 2 releases?
The studio tracks were recorded the day after we returned from our West Coast '04 mini tour. We did them down in Miami at a place called Nuclear Soundlabs and the live tracks are from September 2004 when we co-headlined the Deicide show in Fort Lauderdale. Both releases will have the same two studio tracks on them, those being 'Blood, Death & Damnation' and a cover of Sodom's 'Blasphemer'. The difference between the two is this: the split with Vrolok will be released through Arctic Music and will also include on our portion live tracks of 'Rex Infernus In Excelsis', 'Oculus Infernum' and 'Perpetual Demise Of The Bastard Son' being also a enhanced interactive CD-ROM with those same three live tracks, so one will get to see the actual show footage. The Horn Of Valere split will be in 10" vinyl form, being released through Abort The World Records with one live track, 'Garden Of Shadows' to keeps things different from split CD.
You have just finished the recordings for your new full length album "The World, The Flesh & The Devil", did it go well?
It went as well as one could expect. This time around we went in much more prepared than we had been on the last album. Also the production on this one is much thicker, having more of an organic sound as opposed a digital sound such as the past two releases. It's got more depth I guess would be a way to put it. I'm satisfied with it so in the end that's all that matters.
What can we expect from the album, another crushing assault from you?
I can only say that it's nothing like our past recordings but in a way a continuation of the direction we were going on the last one. It will still be crushing that's for sure; it's a trait of this band but whereas in the past every song was blasting this time it's more diverse song wise. In fact some songs have no blasting at all if that tells you anything.
What has inspired the song writing on the new album?
Nothing that I could pinpoint since I don't write down exactly what I am thinking at the moment a riff is being written. I get asked this question a lot so maybe it's something I should start doing or maybe not actually.
Have you discovered new or older bands lately, which have meant something to you and have given you some inspiration?
Yeah but nothing jumps out at me right now where I can start rambling off names. Just when I hear a release that I think is killer that is the inspiration.
Any news inspirations on the lyrical side of the band… do you care to tell a bit about the lyrics or lyrical themes on the coming album?
Lyrical content and theme for each of the songs are all based around the title. The lyrics are pretty much inspired by my obsession with the occult, my utter abhorrence of religion and sometimes by what I see going on in the world around me.
How do you see the evolution of Kult Ov Azazel and how do you want to put it to words?
I would say overtime our sound has become more defined and we have gotten better musically. We have much more experience now than say back in 1999 when we recorded "Order Of The Fly".
How have you developed as a person and a musician while being in Kult Ov Azazel?
As a person being in the band hasn't changed me at all. I'm still the same guy I was say 10 years ago before the band even existed. As a musician, I'm way more experienced without a doubt. I mean if I hadn't evolved over these past six years at what I have been doing I would just stop playing.
How well did "Oculus Infernum" sell and did you gain some more fans with it?
I have no idea how well it sold since I have never bothered to find out. Not a concern for me so never been something I think to ask when in contact with the label. My guess would be it did well, I know it got decent reviews. Support wise, I don't know if it gained us some or lost us some. The music first and foremost is something that we must be satisfied with or we wouldn't release it. What others think and feel is secondary if considered at all. If one likes our music great, if they don't that's fine by us as well.
After the releases of the 2 splits and the full length album, do you have any touring planned?
We are in discussions about this but nothing is for sure at the moment.
What about a trip to Europe/Scandinavia soon?
I would like say soon but that is unlikely going to happen. The opportunity to come there has never been extended to us so I don't expect it to be much different once this new album is out.
What have you been listening to a lot lately, besides your own music?
Vrolok, Tenebrous, Breath Of Sorrows and Demon Sword are the bands I've listened to the over past few days.
Thanks a ton for this interview Xaphan, feel free to end it as you wish!
"The World, The Flesh & The Devil" will be out June 28th so keep an eye out for that. Also thanks for once again having us in Nocturnal Horde. Your support is greatly appreciated! Ad Majorem Satani Gloriam!!
Kult Ov Azazel website
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