Sisters Memon. Interview with Martin and Natalia

Interview by Namtar

1.) So you have a new release “I The Witch” which has just been released by Plague Demon Records and Blasphemous Creations Of Hell Records, personally I think its brilliant and is a step up from the first release if that’s even possible! But there are some more obscure songs on this one and some that are in the same vein as the first album, how do you personally feel about the outcome of this album?

M: I feel it’s very different from our debut and definitely moves into new territories, incorporating African drumming, Middle Eastern strings etc. Some severely intense blast beats, power electronics, Hawkwind and Pink Floyd inspired guitar solos and the whole atmosphere is far more out there in terms of our progression.

Natalia: I think this is great album, because we create something new and more extreme. I mean, we mix so many types of music and instrument. You can find there bells, tambourine, various kinds of drums and voice between scream and growl. We use contrast of many genres in music.

2.) For those that don’t know, what does Sisters Memon stand for and where do you see the band going in the future?

M:-It’s loosely based on 2 Middle Eastern Terrorist sisters Natalia: We will keep going. We can’t stop. Of course I have no idea what we will create in the future but we like work hard, so... We can be only better and better.

3.) We have been great friends for some time now, you are one of my favorite bands on the label and 2 of my favorite people in this shit world, how do you feel about being on Plague Demon Records and Blasphemous Creations Of Hell Records and why?

M: We feel honored to be on the labels and your superb and very switched on people with a very specific idea of what you want on the label and your willing to think outside of the box and we just do our own thing and black metal is more our inspiration than us being a huge player in it.

Natalia: I feel safe and comfortable here. I know that the publishing house understands our needs and preferences. You understand that I want creating dark shit for Satanic head haha.

4.) Do you ever see Sisters Memon becoming a full lineup and doing some shows or tours in the future?

M: Definitely not no, we will always be a studio band. Natalia: we can create more album on tape, cd and LP. Even music video but without shows or tours in the future.

5.) What is your lyrical content based on in these bestial songs? Who writes the lyrics and the music for Sisters Memon?

M: We both used to write lyrics but Natalia writes them all now, she is for me one of the greatest ever black metal vocalists, her range is incredible and one of my friends could not listen to her voice as he feared he would go into a panic attack as her voice is so disembodied and intense.

Natalia: Music is created by Daniels. He’s the greatest artist in the world. He’s the head of the band. I create lyrics. Most of them are about nature and my feelings about death and rotting body. Also I like talk about spirit and soul between mothers of earth and hell or universe. There’s no God. Okay, I use a God but only as a death person like everyone else.

6.) In your opinion do you think the Black Metal scene is thriving these days, what is your opinion of the newer bands coming out compared to the old days?

M: It seems to be and rightly so too, it’s phenomenal music and but don’t keep up with anything new, maybe a couple of bands here and there. For me personally it’s all about the old days from when I first bought Venom - Black Metal when I was 12 in 1982.

Natalia: I’m happy. I mean, everything has to change. It’s a pure evolution. Of course I love Hellhammer, Immortal and Mutillation but new bands also can be good. Not all of theme, but we have some good black metal news band that can give me new breath. I can’t listen to Burzum all the time hahaha. We need something more. More hate and brutal things but in old way. We can’t be boring old metalheads.

7.) Martin - I know you also do a lot of films and magazines as well as Sisters Memon, do you feel there is any connection between all of your great works with the band, and the films and magazines you have created?

M: Yes, the creative connection of myself in there is extremely prominent throughout all the works. With Sisters Memon I can explore lots of different ideas and bring them into our ever evolution sound. Our third album I’ve just started working on and it’s completely different to the first 2 albums. The music, films and magazine I write for is all under the flag of personal passionate creation, it all has some self-connection running thought it all.

8.) Where and how did you find Natalia, being that you are based in the UK and she lives in Poland, did you feel the connection between the both of you immediately or was it more of a trial run in the beginning?

M: I found Natalia on Instagram and she immediately impressed me with her phenomenal vocals, we’ve never met but our connection is extremely strong. I thought of a trial run as I’d not really heard her vocals properly but when we did our birthing Sisters Memon track that was it, our satanic baby was born and we are very proud parents.

9.) How do you feel about the genres of Black Metal today? For me personally I feel it’s absurd, Black Metal is just Black Metal and we all have the same goal, to write dark and hateful music. What is your opinion on this subject?

M: Yes I agree it’s black metal and it can move in many different places musically but it will always have that unique underpinning atmosphere bringing it back to black metal.

10.) What are some of the main influences for the 2 of you musically?

M: The first 4 Venoms, Celtic Frost especially Into the Tandemonium, Bathory especially the return, Hellhammer, Portal, early Swans, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd, Oum kalthoum, Motorhead, discharge, Mercyful Fate, Throbbing Gristle, Leviathan and Xasthur.

Natalia: For me it’s a nature, darkness, smell of old churches, a little bit of fear and existential pain.

11.) Do you have anything you would like to say to your fans, friends or readers of Inside the darkness zine?

M: Whoever is listening to our music and supporting us we want to say a huge thank you, we really appreciate it.

Natalia: thank you so much for listening our Satanic baby. Sisters Memon is like my second soul. I’m so glad that someone want to see how brutal we are (Martin and I) inside body.

I would like to thank Sisters Memon! You both have stood by me with my label Plague Demon Records and have given me so much support in my own band Namtaru, you are 2 of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with and great friends of mine, Hails to you both!