Dawn Of Azazel
// Rigel Walshe, bassist & vocalistDAWN OF AZAZEL are a Satanic death-metal band from Auckland, New Zealand. “The Law Of The Strong” (2004) is available from Agonia Records, and “Sedition” (2005) is available from Ibex Moon Records. During 2005, Dawn Of Azazel gained priceless publicity when vocalist Rigel Walshe made headline evening news. New Zealand press discovered that the singer of this Satanic death-metal band also works as a police officer. Naturally the liberal media did not like the idea that a public servant sang extremely violent lyrics. However, no official action was taken as he did not associate his band with his work.
Website: www.dawnofazazel.com
Photo: James Ensing-Trussell / Topic Photography
Interview:
As someone who holds spiritual beliefs of what can best be described as of a Satanic nature, I see music as a conduit to communicate with and influence others in a transcendental manner. Also I see music as an instrument to influence the temporal world, both in the name of manifesting a spiritual agenda and also in bringing myself experiences to bring forth enlightenment of a spiritual nature. Very few experiences or substances in the modern world are able to bring about the changes in state and intimacy of communication that you experience between yourself and the crowd whilst playing live on stage.
As someone who has also, through my occupation, the unique experience of seeing a large number of people experience the full spectrum of human emotions in some very extreme circumstances, very few stimuli are able to induce as intense emotional experiences as music. When one sees both the effects of live performance, and notoriety that is a by-product of it on individuals, particularly those young and or female, you begin to appreciate the power of music to communicate directly with the soul of an individual as opposed to 49 the intellect or conscious mind. Its ability to reach past the barriers constructed by the ego and appeal to a deeper part of the unconscious, rather like the appeal of the serpent to Eve, is unprecedented.
Therefore, as both a means to achieve a divine or religious experience, and to bring one the necessary experiences to gain enlightenment and an evolution of consciousness through the dark side of one’s nature, as I personally see the road to spiritual fulfilment, few things in the modern world can rival the significance of music.
“Few things in the modern world can rival the significance of music.”
– Rigel Walshe, bassist and vocalist in Dawn Of Azazel
