 Kult ov Azazel guitarist Xaphan onstage. |
Kult ov Azazel guitarist Xaphan checked in with Jackson News in late January to apprise us of the latest with the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based black metal band. And the latest is a lot.
Unfortunately, bassist/vocalist Xul is going on an indefinite hiatus after a decade with the band. For touring and recording in 2010, Xaphan will assume vocal duties, and former KoA guitarist VJS will serve as touring bassist. Also, session guitarist Armanen has been added as a permanent member.
A rigorous tour schedule kicks off in March for the new lineup, beginning with the Nihilistic Terror Across Texas campaign. Kult ov Azazel will storm the West Texas Death Fest II in Amarillo, Texas, on March 12 before destroying San Antonio, Texas, on March 13 and 14 in two nights of devastating black thrash metal with Teratism, Witchaven and Hatchet. At the March Metal Massacre V Fest in Allentown, Pa., on March 27, Gio Geraca (Evil Amidst/Malevolent Creation) will sub on bass, as VJS has a prior commitment on that date.
July 17 sees KoA headlining the main stage for the 20th anniversary of the Michigan Deathfest. The band then embarks on a 16-day tour with Wolven Ancestry. More 2010 tour dates are expected and will be announced as they’re confirmed.
Preparations for a Kult ov Azazel DVD are also under way, featuring concert footage from September 2004 and from a 2009 performance in Puerto Rico. Tentatively scheduled for release in late 2010, the DVD will also include a CD of covers and unreleased material from 1999 to the present.
Xaphan also notes that the band is now managed by Frank Watkins of Gorgoroth/Back From the Dead Productions, and that the band has recorded a cover for forthcoming limited edition Venom tribute album In League With Satan.