Adrian Henderson:
       Bass, Guitars,  and Keyboards
Lachlan Mitchell:
       Keyboards and Guitars
Luke Mills: Vocals
Mitchell Keepin: Guitar
John: Drums

Formed: 1993
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Label: Moribund Records
Genre: Black Metal

CURRENT LINE-UP:

DISCOGRAPHY:

Totem (1995)
Black Seed EP (1998)
Live (2002)
Black Seed - Best of: (2005)
Iconoclast: (2009)

TO THE TOP

Ask anyone on the street to name a band from Australia and more than likely, the answer will be "AC/DC." The Southern Hemisphere is not especially known for exporting extreme music, but the Sydney based demonic entity known as Nazxul is looking to change that. With their new album Iconoclast quickly rising in popularity, they are posturing to unleash their sonic terror onto the waiting masses of the world. With impending live ritual dates set for Europe and a secured spot on the 2010 Maryland Deathfest bill, one has to ask: Is the world ready for Nazxul?

Kesh: To start with, who are the individuals who contribute to the entity that is Nazxul?

Nazxul: The individuals in Nazxul are irrelevant. The group is all that matters and the intent.

Kesh: What is the break down of each member’s contribution to the band? Who does a majority of the writing, or would you say that it’s equal with each member?

Nazxul: Nazxul is more than the sum of its parts. All members contribute in many ways, there is no set role during the recording process. All members play various instruments. The live arena is a different matter. Instruments are then assigned.

Kesh: For those who this might be their introduction to Nazxul, can you give a brief history of the band?

Nazxul: The band began in 1994 with a self-titled demo. 1995 saw the release of the groundbreaking album Totem. 1998 saw the release of Black Seed and the beginning of Nazxul as a live ritual group. 1998 until 2008 has been the hiatus which led to Iconoclast. The time has come to breathe life back into the bones of the slumbering god. 2009 will herald the end of the world and the phoenix of Nazxul will arise from the flames of lies and the stagnant self absorbed consciousness of the modern world.

Kesh: How did you get into extreme music in the first place? Was it an accidental find or was there someone else who helped to get you into it?

Nazxul: All members’ paths have been different. But they have all lead to the same place. A want of extreme music that challenges both the mind and the physical body and most importantly a quest for deeper understanding of the occult sciences.

Kesh: When did you first decide you wanted to play in a band? Was it an instant thing once you had started listening to metal, or was it something that evolved?

Nazxul: Playing in a band in the traditional sense came many years after the birth of Nazxul. It seemed making a band was the next logical step to express the doctrine.We needed a connection with the real world; a connection to like minded individuals.

Kesh: Where did the name ‘Nazxul’ come from?

Nazxul: Nazxul is a name of a Sumerian demon found in early manuscripts. This name is uncommon and rarely seen. But the Nazxul is one of the earliest written demonic names.

Kesh: What is the inspiration for the mystery that you shroud yourselves in? Why cloaks, masks and lack of individual identities for each member? Is it so that the music speaks for itself or are there other reasons?

Nazxul: The work must stand alone. We are merely vessels that do the bidding of other forces. Forces which we cannot profane by naming them.

Kesh: Your themes tend to be occult and/or Satanic in nature. Do you consider this to be an accurate portrayal of what Nazxul is, or is there more to it than just that? Are you willing to discuss whether you are on the theistic or atheistic side of the black metal paradigm and how that contributes to the music?

Nazxul: We are devotees. The material can be taken on different levels. Simply as music and then more as parables. Atheism is dull and egotistical. We will all find out the truth at the end so ultimately with our caged mortal senses, the jury is still out.

Kesh: It’s been fourteen years since the release of your full-length debut Totem, why such a long time to make Iconoclast happen? When was the album actually recorded? Where did the concept for Iconoclast (the album) come from?

Nazxul: The album was recorded at the end of 2008. We felt no need to exist  in  the  time  so  we  dropped  out. Contrary  to popular belief we didn't breake up, we simply vanished. The concept of the Iconoclast album is basically freedom. To break the chains and question your own existence and self worth. To step out from the conditioning imposed on all people by society, family, religious and learning institutions. To ask questions.

Kesh: Is the band planning on staying active and start releasing more full albums, or is that something that remains to be seen?

Nazxul: There will definitely be more material coming but when... only time will tell.

Kesh: You’ve had a great deal of line-up changes over the years; the next couple of questions will deal with those changes. First off, when did Luke Mills change from guitars to vocals? Why is Daniel Lomas no longer in the band?

Nazxul: These changes were made to reach a better outcome at the time. Once a member of Nazxul, always a member of Nazxul.

Kesh: Now, on behalf of Metal Psalter, I would like to extend condolences to you in the loss of your guitarist Greg Morelli. It is with this in mind that I ask how that loss affected the production of the album and the band as a whole?

Nazxul: Thank you for your words. Greg’s untimely death has affected the band deeply. He is one of our brothers and the world has lost a visionary. His work was completed before he was taken but unfortunately, he will never see the outcome. We will see him again and in spirit he is with us, always.

Kesh: After the accident, was there a point where you considered not going on, or was that never a question for the band? When did you decide to start looking for a new guitarist, and were there several candidates that you were looking at, or was there a specific person you had in mind?

Nazxul: There was uncertainty but the decision was made to prove a point. Greg was an absolute die hard and believed in the work of Nazxul wholeheartedly, so the decision to carry on was made unanimously in honour of Greg’s devotion. As for the new member the feelers were put out and soon enough we found someone. The perfect addition to the Nazxul cult.

Kesh: Is there anything else that you would like to be known by your fans about Mr. Morelli before we move on?

Nazxul: When listening to the song “Oath (fides Resurrectio)”, remember him.

Kesh: I noticed that you are going to be playing some dates in Europe over the next couple of months. Is this the first time, and if so, how does it feel to be playing outside of Australia?

Nazxul: This is the first expedition off our island. We are very excited to be going to Europe. The support has been phenomenal and Eisenwald Records has done an outstanding job with helping to organize the tour.

Kesh: You are slated to play Maryland Deathfest in May of 2010 - are you also planning on touring the U.S. around the same time? Are you looking forward to playing to an American audience? Also, is there a world tour in the plans or just to tour when time is available?

Nazxul: We are proud to be a part of this festival and we are very excited about the appearance. There will be a tour organized around that time that will include dates around the US.
 
Kesh: Will you be headlining any place or are you supporting other acts?

Nazxul: The rest of the tour is unplanned at this point but hopefully we will have more information soon.

Kesh: Do you think that living in Australia has influenced Nazxul differently than similar bands from the Northern Hemisphere? Are the cultural differences (if any) a moot point in your opinion?

Nazxul: The only thing that living in Australia has influenced is our determination to create our own identity. To exist outside of the moronic preconceived notions - that black metal is about forests, winter and snow.

Kesh: Before we close the interview, is there anything else you would like to mention or discuss?

Nazxul: Nazxul is dead, Hail Nazxul!

Nazxul

Interviewer: Kesh

October 12, 2009

Check out Kesh's review of Iconoclast here

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