1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the solo project since the recording of the new album?
Since the album was created, I have joined the label Fetzner Death Records. Alexander, who runs the label, has given me valuable support to help AZGAAL grow and move forward. I’m very happy about this opportunity, as it allows the project to take a significant step forward. Besides that, I’m continuing to write music for what comes next.
2.In August you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
The sound is different, and the overall production has evolved as well. That's really the biggest change. Otherwise, in terms of songwriting, the style remains the same. Of course, I've refined a lot of things over time. I've honed my writing approach and further defined the project's musical identity. But at its core, AZGAAL remains what it has always been.
3.The project has been around since 2000 but you waited until 2011 to release any music, can you tell us a little bit more about the earlier years?
The early years of AZGAAL were, above all, just two friends having fun. I had a 4-track cassette recorder (Tascam), and we did everything with that. I used a Roland DR-5 drum machine for the drums, and recorded the rest with the gear I had at the time. Then Ibuprohet added the vocals, and that was it. It was pretty rudimentary, but it did exactly what we wanted. We even recorded a demo tape that was never released. Back then, I didn't have any particular goal in mind.
4.The lyrics on the new album cover occult themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
Yes, AZGAAL primarily deals with occult and esoteric subjects, particularly from the perspective of Western occultism and its great tradition. I've always been immersed in the occult. It's a way of life, a particular worldview that has always felt right to me. Naturally, I ended up incorporating those influences into AZGAAL. That said, it's quite difficult to talk about the occult or explain why it fascinates me. Most people today don't really understand this field. They dismiss it as mere folklore without ever having seriously explored or practiced any of it. For me, it's something real, it's simply part of my life. After having gone through many unsettling experiences in this area, I can no longer deny its existence. My interest in the occult stems primarily from my personal experiences, which I refrain from sharing publicly, even though I fully embrace my place within this mysterious world.
5.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects you have explored over the years with your music?
I've written extensively about the introspection of the human soul and the many inner worlds that inhabit it. I've also used AZGAAL as an outlet to cope with the rotten world we live in. That's still true to some extent, but over time I've expanded the range of themes I explore.
6.I know that the bands name comes form a RPG, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?
Yes, the name AZGAAL comes from the name of a fortress in the Warhammer universe : Karak-Azgal. It is a place whose history resonates deeply with me and, in many ways, reflects what we are experiencing in the West : greatness, downfall, and then eternal vengeance in the lore. AZGAAL was born from that inspiration, and more specifically from this innate thirst for vengeance against the evil forces that have destroyed our world. The world of RPGs has always been a major source of inspiration for me. To me, the realm of imagination is something alive. It is not merely a collection of fantasy stories. Once you develop symbolic intelligence and have some understanding of esotericism, you quickly realize that imagination shapes the world and manifests itself here in its own way. For that reason, I have never regarded the world of imagination (including RPGs) as mere entertainment.
7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
On the artwork, you can see a metalhead summoning the angel Daovith. Daovith is an angel whose purpose is to punish humanity. It is a warrior, forged by judgment, wrath, and divine anger. It delivers justice to those who have betrayed the natural order. I chose it for this album because I dreamed of it when I entered the album's creative process. In my dream, I saw it as a divine hitman sent by God to cleanse humanity of the psychopathic elites who are corrupting and destroying the planet.
8.With this project you work mostly solo but have worked with other musicians in the past, do you prefer to work by yourself?
Yes, I prefer working alone to avoid the ego-related issues that are so common in the music industry. It's exhausting, and it wastes far too much time and energy. Besides, I'm naturally a solitary person. Working on my own allows me to stay in a peaceful environment, work at my own pace, follow my instincts, and not have to answer to anyone except myself.
9.With the live line up, what are some of the best shows that you have played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
I have never performed live with AZGAAL. I did have musicians lined up to make it happen, but it ultimately never took place. However, I do have live performance experience with other bands I have played in. The stage is an environment I know well.
10.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
No, there are no plans for a tour or anything like that. First of all, I don't enjoy being on stage. It's not where I feel most comfortable. I much prefer staying in my studio, creating and composing my music. I'd only be willing to perform live if that's what the audience truly wants. It's something I'd do for the fans, but personally, I don't get much out of it. If it ever happens, I prefer to play a handful of dates at festivals, working with an organization that knows how to handle things properly for AZGAAL. I'd rather perform rarely, but in the right venues, to give the audience the best possible experience. So it's not out of the question that it could happen one day, but it certainly won't be because I was the one pushing for it.
11.On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
I suppose the purists would say that AZGAAL isn't Black Metal. I've already read that in a few articles written about my work. And that's true that in a way AZGAAL isn't conventional Black Metal. It might not even qualify as Black Metal according to the definitions used by metal reviewers and journalists. At this point, though, I don't really care. I don't feel concerned with that debate over definitions. What I can say is that AZGAAL is a hybrid built upon Black Metal. Black Metal remains my foundation, the environment where I feel most at home. It's the style of metal I connect with the most, the one I have the deepest affinity for.
12.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
I simply see myself continuing to release albums and share my music out of pure passion. I hope to grow AZGAAL enough to gain access to greater production resources and bring my ideas to life on a larger scale. I'd also love to write books about AZGAAL, not to dwell on trivial details, but to share my journey as an artist in a different way. It would be an opportunity to tell the stories behind the dreams that inspire me, the ones that sometimes even reveal riffs, images, themes, and entire creative directions. I'm never short of inspiration, only of the resources needed to take it further.
13.What are some of the bands or musical styles you are currently listening to nowadays?
I still mainly stick to Rock and Metal (especially Black Metal). Over the past few days, for example, I've been listening to Bolt Thrower, Crépuscule d'Hiver, Cradle of Filth, At The Gates, and Enslaved. I also listen to a lot of classical music, both old and contemporary, including film, video game, and other soundtrack scores.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for the interview. It was a real pleasure. I encourage everyone to discover AZGAAL, spread the word, and share it as much as possible to help this project grow. I'd also like to thank all the fans who support me. I'm sure they're going to love the new album !
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