JJM: So I had this idea. At your next concert is it cool with you if I get down on my hands and knees, start bowing repeatedly while screaming out 'were not worthy, were not worthy, were not worthy' in the best Wayne and Garth (Wayne's World) tradition?
Nemesis: Party on man!

J: Okay seriously though, tell me a little bit about how the band formed, what you've accomplished thus far, and any other details you find to be relevant to our readers.
N: In late 2001, Funeris and I began playing together. We went through several phases of songwriting, but after hearing DARKTHRONE’s “A Blaze in the Northern Sky,” we fell in love with the progressive “cult” sound of the late 80’s, early 90’s. We recorded two demos (“Beyond the Cemetery Gates” and “Night Aeternal”) in the years to follow but decided against releasing either until we were contacted by BLACKMETAL.COM. Since then we’ve released both demos and our debut album, “In the Presence of a Dread Magician,” this past June.

J: The name Sin Origin. Did Darkthrone or that particular song inspire you to use the name or does it go beyond that?
N: Prior to late 2002, Funeris and I were running the band under the name NEXTEPEUA (Aztec for “he who rains ashes“). We were both pretty unsatisfied with the band name so we searched high and low for an alternative. And it just so happens after hearing DARKTHRONE’s Plaguewielder, “Sin Origin” was one of those alternatives. Obviously, the name “Sin Origin” deals with the “Original Sin”; the initiation of evil in man.

  J: The new albums called 'In the Presence of a Dread Magician.' What exactly is a dread magician?
N: A “dread magician” is anyone who creates conflict and influences the environment around them. By influencing (or manipulating) their environment, they can control and mold the people and objects around them according to their will.

J: What have the reactions to the new album been like thus far?
N: The reactions to the new album have been great! Everyone seems to be really enjoying the album. It seems to be making a ton of waves in the Black Metal scene. I think it’s helping the U.S. gain some credibility in Black Metal.

J: I find the album cover art to be fascinating as well. Is that some sort of ritualistic altar?
N: In a lot of ways, yes. Funeris did a lot of sigil work for this album after we had finished recording. We decided early on we would need to find an image that we felt symbolized the music and burn it into people’s skulls. So when Funeris created that specific sigil, we knew right away that we had our cover. We didn’t try to “over think” it. We simply presented the image in the most organic and realistic way we possibly could.

J: A question regarding the booklet. In my copy of the album the lyrics are printed in reverse. Was this done on purpose or did I just get the ghetto version of the album?
N: The lyrics for the album were reversed on purpose. That way individuals interested in reading the lyrics have them on hand but must reflect in a mirror to easily understand.

J: Since I can't read the lyrics very easily can you tell me a little bit more about Sin Origin's writings?
N: Our lyrics deal with stratification and self-refinement. We push forward to evolve and grow as sovereign rulers of ourselves. The lyrics are very ambiguous, however. There is no “right” way to look at them. Every listener should discover their own meaning.

  J: On the first two demos the band wore corpse paint, but you seem to have let that image slip away now. Not that such things really matter, but some people judge a bands trueness level on things like that. Any particular reason for making the change?
N: Maturity. We’re a little older and more prudent than we were when we created the first two demos. We haven’t given up on wearing makeup. Funeris wears a neo-corpse paint design when we perform live, and occasionally I will do the same. But as far as the traditionalist style... we won’t go back to wearing the “panda-face” makeup.

J: All of your songs even the demo songs are very long in length. Was it a conscious decision from the start to write long songs or did it just happen naturally during the writing process?
N: The songs are beings in themselves. There was never an actual decision that our songs would be more lengthy than a “normal” song. The songs only go on as long as THEY want to.

J: What is a typical Sin Origin live experience like?
N: Our live shows are fucking rituals. We don’t take any gig lightly. We’re not a band to be shy on stage and hide in a corner while we play. We’re very energetic and rousing when we perform. We believe in creating atmosphere and making our audience feel the music. If an audience doesn’t feel connected to a band while they perform well then that isn’t much of a show now is it?

  J: I noticed in some recent live pictures you perform as a duo on stage. Are there plans to add a second guitarist or bassist to the lineup?
N: We’ve looked for musicians to fill out the live lineup but haven‘t found anyone that truly understands our philosophy (or could play the songs correctly for that matter). We’re not going out of our way to look for anyone. But if we happen to find the right person to fill the position, so be it. Regardless of what happens though, the core of the band will remain a two-piece.

J: How do you feel about religion? Well obviously your anti-Christian, but are you into Satanic beliefs, Pagan beliefs, or something else perhaps?
N: Funeris and I both strongly oppose all white-light religions and the philosophies they preach. Myself, I practice a personalized mix of Nihilism and Satanism and draw influences from the teachings of the TOS (Temple of Set) and COS (Church of Satan).

J: Prior to Sin Origin's formation were you involved in any other bands?
N: We weren’t involved with any projects prior to forming Sin Origin. When we became interested in Black Metal and wanted to start performing it as an art. This was the band we formed. There was neither the time nor the need to be involved with any bands before Sin Origin.

J: I personally think in a few years the USBM scene might be just as strong if not slightly stronger than the European scene. What are your thoughts on the United States Black Metal scene at the moment?
N: A lot of the big name European acts have been slowing down the past few years. Gradually, the U.S. is gaining more and more attention for its Black Metal. The American scene has a lot of potential. I think the only thing that could allow the U.S. scene to overtake the European scene at this moment is for the bands here to start viewing Black Metal as a means for innovation rather than an opportunity to recreate or polish an already tired sound. Some bands here are holding the genre back instead of pushing it forward to a new level of greatness.

J: Off the top of my head I really can't think of any black metal bands from Ohio. Are there any other black metal or any other interesting bands from this area?
N: There are some pretty good bands towards the southwestern part of the state, but from our area in the northeast there are honestly none worth mentioning.

  J: Having listened to the new album several times now I can't help but think with each spin how awesome of musicians you guys are. How long have you been playing?
N: Funeris and I both have ten years plus experience in musical theory. Neither of us started on the instruments we play now, but the experience of playing music and understanding the fundamentals carried over into what we do today.

J: Here's a classic question for you. If you were to remain on a deserted island for several years what five albums would you wish to bring along with you?
N: At the moment:
THORNS- s/t
BEHEMOTH- Zos Kia Cvltvs
SATYRICON- Rebel Extravaganza
JUDAS PRIEST- Sad Wings of Destiny
KING DIAMOND- “Them” (GRANDMAAAAAAAA!)

J: It's rather obvious you spend a lot of time on your music, but I'm sure you have other interests, and probably have a full time job as well. So what do you do when you're not creating music?
N: If I’m not practicing my instrument (there’s always something to improve upon) or at my day job, I spend a lot of my free time working out and reading, improving myself both physically and mentally. Other than that, it’s music 24/7. Taking care of business with the band and whatnot.

J: Which of the seven deadly sins would you say you are the guiltiest of?
N: Probably wrath. I’m a pretty laid-back and nice guy so when someone fucks me over I don’t take it lightly.

J: Do you just listen to black metal or do you have interest in other genres?
N: It’s gotten to the point where we play so often and have gotten our style down to a science that we don’t listen to as much Black Metal as we used to. We still listen to a lot of the new stuff coming out to stay current but the majority of our playlists are made from other genres (though we don‘t stray from Metal too often). Funeris and I are both huge JUDAS PRIEST fans and we like some industrial projects like DAS ICH.

J: I don't know if you've had a chance to take a look at Lunar Hypnosis in detail, but if you have what are your thoughts on the zine?
N: It seems like you guys really have your shit together and have a bright future ahead of you. You have our support!

J: Lastly what is the band currently doing and what are your plans for the near future?
N: For the next couple months, we’ll be preparing for the couple of dates we have scheduled in October. We’ve gotten a bunch of offers to play in Europe so we’ll probably pursue that in the near future as well. Pretty much the game plan right now is to support the new album as much as possible. After that, we’ll see what we can stir up for a new studio album.

J: This will about do it then. The final words are yours.
N: Check out our new album “In the Presence of a Dread Magician” available now on Cybertzara/Blackmetal.com Records! Hail and Kill! www.sinorigin.com

Interview location:
http://cp05.ionhosting.com/~joelh/sinorigininterview.htm