| Florida based Black Metal band Kult ov Azazel are one of few true us black metal bands that have been delivering their brand of heretic black metal since 1999. Despite set backs, the band is readying their next full length "Destroying The Sacred." I sat down with founding member guitarist/vocalist Xaphan to discuss the new album, touring and the importance of the message within Black Metal amongst other things. |
Bastard: You guys are currently working on your new album, your first since 2005. How are things
coming along?
coming along?
Xaphan: So far, so good. We plan to enter the studio in August or September to record it.
Bastard: This is your last release for Arctic music. How has your relationship been with them and what
are your future plans in this area?
are your future plans in this area?
Bastard: In the summer of 2007 you went back to a
3 piece with yourself and Xul being the only original
members. Do you find it easier to work this way?
Also, has the good amount of past members had any
effect on your output and the vision of the band?
3 piece with yourself and Xul being the only original
members. Do you find it easier to work this way?
Also, has the good amount of past members had any
effect on your output and the vision of the band?
Xaphan: Writing wise we have always been a 3
piece. It’s always been easier to work this way. It will
also make things much faster studio wise as I am
perfectly able to handle playing multiple guitar tracks
in less time than it would take having another
guitarist present. We will just employ session
guitarists when we do live shows. As for band output,
yes past members have had a slight effect musically
but not on the vision of the band.
piece. It’s always been easier to work this way. It will
also make things much faster studio wise as I am
perfectly able to handle playing multiple guitar tracks
in less time than it would take having another
guitarist present. We will just employ session
guitarists when we do live shows. As for band output,
yes past members have had a slight effect musically
but not on the vision of the band.
Bastard: Still referring to the last question. Has this
been the reason for your lack in steady touring?
been the reason for your lack in steady touring?
Xaphan: No. There are few reasons behind us not
touring. First off it’s not cheap to tour and being that
we have no real backing in that area it’s hard to do.
Arctic is not a huge label and unable to really put up
a lot of tour support which we completely understand.
touring. First off it’s not cheap to tour and being that
we have no real backing in that area it’s hard to do.
Arctic is not a huge label and unable to really put up
a lot of tour support which we completely understand.
Bastard: You guys are from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Coming from an area that has spawned a huge
amount of death metal, has this affected you guys at all? How much of a black metal scene IS there in
Florida?
amount of death metal, has this affected you guys at all? How much of a black metal scene IS there in
Florida?
Xaphan: No affect at all. As for a scene, all I can say is there are good turnouts when black metal
bands come through and also in the past when we have played shows.
bands come through and also in the past when we have played shows.
Bastard: You guys recently performed at the Autumn Equinox festival with Imperial on vocals. What was
the reason for this?
the reason for this?
Xaphan: Kult ov Azazel was booked to play the festival and at the last minute Xul couldn’t do it due to
his work schedule and Hammer could not do it due to the fact he was in Europe working as drum tech on
a tour. Instead of cancelling, which I deem very unprofessional, I put together a session lineup. Imperial
was my first choice to handle vocals since I have admired his work for years and I knew he could pull it
off. There’s also been a long time friendship between the two of us since our demo days. In the future
he may show up again as session vocals for live shows when Xul is unable to do things.
his work schedule and Hammer could not do it due to the fact he was in Europe working as drum tech on
a tour. Instead of cancelling, which I deem very unprofessional, I put together a session lineup. Imperial
was my first choice to handle vocals since I have admired his work for years and I knew he could pull it
off. There’s also been a long time friendship between the two of us since our demo days. In the future
he may show up again as session vocals for live shows when Xul is unable to do things.
Bastard: Your new album is called 'Destroying the Sacred,' how will this album differ from your last
effort? When can we expect this to be released?
effort? When can we expect this to be released?
Xaphan: Not sure if it will be any different. We have never really changed direction musically since the
band was started in 1999. We write fast, blasting heretical black metal and this next album will be the
same. Some who have heard the new material have said it tends to show our thrash influences in spots.
The album will be out early 2009 if not before.
band was started in 1999. We write fast, blasting heretical black metal and this next album will be the
same. Some who have heard the new material have said it tends to show our thrash influences in spots.
The album will be out early 2009 if not before.
Bastard: From what I have heard from the new material it sounds although a rough mix, maybe a little
more raw sounding. A new direction for this band??
more raw sounding. A new direction for this band??
Xaphan: The same production we got on The
World, The Flesh & The Devil. After recording that
album at Mana and being pleased with how it came
out the only logical choice was to record the next
album there also.
World, The Flesh & The Devil. After recording that
album at Mana and being pleased with how it came
out the only logical choice was to record the next
album there also.
Bastard: In your opinion how important is the message in your music and in black metal in general?
Xaphan: The message in black metal has always been important since day one. Without the message
and philosophy it would not be black metal. Its what makes black metal what it is. As for our lyrics and
the band it remains just as important.
and philosophy it would not be black metal. Its what makes black metal what it is. As for our lyrics and
the band it remains just as important.
Bastard: What is your opinion of the current USBM scene?
Xaphan: There are some great bands but at the same time even more shitty ones that plague black
metal in the States. It has always been that way.
metal in the States. It has always been that way.
Bastard: You recently recorded several covers. Any chance we will see these released? The
Hellhammer and Sodom covers are great. Did these 2 bands have a profound influence on you as a
musician?
Hellhammer and Sodom covers are great. Did these 2 bands have a profound influence on you as a
musician?
Xaphan: The misconception is that these are new recordings since we recently put them in a blog on
the myspace page. All the covers have been released in one form or another. The Sodom cover is off
the 2006 split CD w/ Vrolok titled Feast of Sacrilegious Impurity and the 2005 split 10” with Horn of
Valere titled Through War or Suicide. The Beherit cover is the hidden 66th track on the Oculus Infernus
CD. The Hellhammer cover on the 2003 split 7” with Satan’s Blood and the Mayhem cover on both Black
Mass Consecration CD and Of Evil and Hatred 2001 promo. Each band we have covered has been
inspiration to this band. There will be more covers in the future of other bands that have been influential
to us.
the myspace page. All the covers have been released in one form or another. The Sodom cover is off
the 2006 split CD w/ Vrolok titled Feast of Sacrilegious Impurity and the 2005 split 10” with Horn of
Valere titled Through War or Suicide. The Beherit cover is the hidden 66th track on the Oculus Infernus
CD. The Hellhammer cover on the 2003 split 7” with Satan’s Blood and the Mayhem cover on both Black
Mass Consecration CD and Of Evil and Hatred 2001 promo. Each band we have covered has been
inspiration to this band. There will be more covers in the future of other bands that have been influential
to us.
Bastard: What are the bands plans after you finish this album? Any chance you'll be coming to
Cleveland?
Cleveland?
Xaphan: I have not thought that far in advance yet. There are no plans at this point other than getting
the album recorded. Once that process is closer than I will begin to think about future plans. As for
Cleveland, I won’t rule it out.
the album recorded. Once that process is closer than I will begin to think about future plans. As for
Cleveland, I won’t rule it out.
Bastard: You have been going strong for almost 9 years. Where would you like to see Kult ov Azazel in
the future?
the future?
Xaphan: I would like to see the band do more touring.
Bastard: Thank you Xaphan for your time. Many hails to you and your warriors. Any final thoughts?
Xaphan: Thanks for your interest and interview. Those unfamiliar with us can find music and
information at www.kultovazazel.com and www.myspace.com/kultovazazel.
Hails to you and others that support Kult ov Azazel! Never surrender!!!!
information at www.kultovazazel.com and www.myspace.com/kultovazazel.
Hails to you and others that support Kult ov Azazel! Never surrender!!!!
| Interview with Xaphan of Kult ov Azazel By: Bastard Son of God |
Secondly, the promoters are usually cheap fucks that basically want our band to travel far distances for
very low to no compensation only to profit themselves from a Kult ov Azazel performance. I would love to
be touring steadily but over the past few years its become even harder for us to do and financially
unable to do much of it.
very low to no compensation only to profit themselves from a Kult ov Azazel performance. I would love to
be touring steadily but over the past few years its become even harder for us to do and financially
unable to do much of it.
Xaphan: The relationship has been extremely good with Arctic. For a label they have always been good
to us. As for our plans, right now we aren’t sure what is going to happen. There has been other label
interest yet nothing better than what we are getting from Arctic contractually. If Arctic wants to resign us
for other releases we will most likely resign with them in all truthfulness. Yet if something better is offered
we will look at those options.
to us. As for our plans, right now we aren’t sure what is going to happen. There has been other label
interest yet nothing better than what we are getting from Arctic contractually. If Arctic wants to resign us
for other releases we will most likely resign with them in all truthfulness. Yet if something better is offered
we will look at those options.
Bastard: You guys are working with Erik Rutan at
his Mana Studio. Considering most of the bands he
has produced and the kind of production he is
known for, why did you choose to work with him and
what kind of sound are you going for?
his Mana Studio. Considering most of the bands he
has produced and the kind of production he is
known for, why did you choose to work with him and
what kind of sound are you going for?
Xaphan: What you heard was some pre-production tracks we have done for the album. Tracking we did
at rehearsals and not a proper studio recording. Nothing we would deem suitable to be releasable
at rehearsals and not a proper studio recording. Nothing we would deem suitable to be releasable