Sin Quirin brings a multi-band, 20+ year resume to the table of any project he works on or stage he stands on. With names like Ministry, KMFDM, Revolting Cocks and Lords of Acid to name a few, he’s got more than a metal pedigree, it’s a dark, demented carnival ride of perpetual, heavy movement.
From 2020 to present his focus has been on personal project Siglos (Centuries), in collaboration with vocalist Pedro Sanchez. The new band’s a mix of thrash, industrial and black metal with images, lyrics and visuals celebrating and honoring Mexican heritage, spirituality and tradition.
The material was written during the pandemic with the original idea of a solo album with guest vocalists. Based on what he wanted in the vocals, his engineer recommended Sanchez who came in and sang on the first single. It was originally a one-shot deal but Quirin liked what he heard and turned it into a project. Sanchez is also vocalist for black metal band Transtorno.
Siglos is unique for having lyrics performed in Spanish. Quirin says English was the automatic assumption going in but when Sanchez asked if he should sing in English or Spanish, Quirin immediately said Spanish. He said there have been minimal limitations is getting the music out. “Not really any limitations like that. There was one station that had played my material before that was a little hesitant, because it was in Spanish. I understand but also made the reference, what about Rammstein? Everyone else has pretty much embraced it. To be honest, some people haven’t noticed it’s in Spanish. It hasn’t bothered them at all.”
A quick description of their sound for new comers could be an early Sepultura vibe and if Behemoth performed in Spanish. “Nice man, I appreciate that and take it as a huge compliment.”
The first single “Por Los Siglos” was shot in black and white on purpose showing the barren desolation of the landscape. Sanchez had his signature microphone in the background casting a dark shadow. “Yeah, it’s a custom mic stand with symbols he’s had for several years. I believe he uses it for his other band.”
The hovering dark figure was an extra that was there. The spreading of black wings was symbolic of rebirth and new life, “Definitely, symbols of rebirth and going on.”
There are sounds like a faint female voice in the background doing chants. “There’s no actual female voice, it’s a keyboard and I used a female choir voice. It’s a female voice but not a female singer. I wanted to give it sort of that chant-like, eerie vibe. I like the way it sounded opposed to the male voice.”
The artwork for the single is eye-catching, drawing you into its lyrical world. Quirin used an artist from Mexico, well known for that type of imagery.
The artwork for “Morir Para Vivir/ Die to Live,” is very rooted in Spanish culture with the Aztec background. The warrior symbolizes someone conquering death and continuing to live, encompassing, good and evil.
The video starts with a loud, bombastic church bell-like clang, as hammer meets anvil, as the band stands ready to unleash. Each covered in white makeup with personalized tribal shapes and designs. The video smacks hard with the continuous hammer’s clank, truly and literary being a musical cleansing with footage of a shaman’s ritual.
“Die to Live” was gonna be shot in B&W, until they saw some test shots of the color. “We wanted to keep everything B&W because it sets a tone and mood. After seeing the color versions, I said you know what, especially with the makeup and the shamans outfit. I just like how those colors popped and stuck out.”
The medicine man in the video is legit. “Yeah, I wanted to make it more a performance video, more scenic. I wanted it to showcase the band members a bit more. Because of the lyrics, Pedro expressed he really wanted to incorporate a shaman. When I was talking to our director, I said here’s the idea. I want to make it a concept video but go with the lyrics. I’d like to bring in the shaman. They brought him from Mexico speaking very little English. He was the real deal. He actually did a cleansing there. What you’re seeing in the video is an actual cleansing. It wasn’t an actor. It was pretty intense to witness. I definitely feel lucky we were able to do that.”
The video shows a condensed version of the whole ritual, which would take a few hours to complete. “We shot everything, just edited parts for the video.”
The smoke blowing and leaves scenes were chosen as they incorporated the lyrics. He isn’t sure of the exact significance of the ritual but says it’s to ward off evil spirits or bad things happening to someone. Sanchez had previous history with him.
They incorporated black metal-like makeup in the videos with an Aztec/Mexican slant. “Pedro did his, going into the tribal’s of our first video. This one was tying into the lyrics of the “Morir” song. He went a bit more tribal with it. I kept mine a little more like the Spanish culture. That’s the vibe the other guys took as well.”
They’re planning on releasing a 5-6 song EP end of the year or early 2023, in Spanish. “We might do something in English down the road. Right now, I want to keep everything in Spanish.”
He had the music for the first single done at their first meeting. “Pedro recommended the right producer. He comes down to the studio. One of the first things he said was do you want me to sing in English or Spanish. I hadn’t even thought about it to be honest. I just assumed English. When he said that, I immediately said, Spanish. I didn’t even think about it. That’s how that happened. After hearing the first song I thought, this is just a cool angle to do this in Spanish. Why not? It’s me and Pedro’s first language. That’s how we decided to do it, on the fly. So far it’s been all positive.”
They’re including lyrics on Bandcamp and YouTube. “In case anyone wants to know what we’re saying or can be translated.”
With an extensive resume, he’s focused 2022 on Siglos and plans to tour in South America, Chile and Europe.
He also has an album due soon with his power metal outfit Three Headed Snake. “We’re pretty much finished mastering it, it’s just a process of juggling everything. Right now we’re trying to finish Siglos and get it out.”
As for touring, since the world shut down he hasn’t played live since November 2019 with Ministry on the Final Campaign with Slayer. Though normal, regular live events and tours have resumed he says he doesn’t mind waiting till next year to play again. “No shows this year. Hopefully we’ll see what happens in 2023. I’ve had offers this year but didn’t think it was the right time. I really wanted to finish up in the studio. We’ll see what happens next year. I really want to take the band to Chile, South America and Europe for festivals.” Several musicians he knew toured this year and last and had to stop early due to various issues. He’s satisfied to wait for 2023.
He doesn’t mind sharing a bill with any heavy or extreme band regardless of genre/subgenre, saying they’ll fit in anywhere. “When people here the rest of our material I think there’s elements of all those things. There’s some industrial stuff, some black metal, some death, doom, all those things. I think we’d fit on all those bills.” He’d even consider a glam tour. “Sure why not. We’ll scare the hell out of everyone but it’ll be alright.”
He says though everyone’s showing more passion and appreciation for live events after the world reopened the most insane and passionate crowds he’s seen are in South America and Brazil. “Some of the craziest crowds we played for were down in South America, Chile and Argentina, they’re insane. They just go ballistic for bands. I can’t wait and hope to take the band down there because I think they’d eat this up. It’s crazy down there.”
He says the fanaticism is so great it’s the only time he’s had to run from crowds. “Did you ever see, The Beatles A Hard Day’s Night, those old flicks where they’re being chased by fans and crowds. That happened to us in Chile. It’s insane down there. They’re so into the band. It’s not like it is out here. There’s an overabundance of bands playing all the time. Down there it takes years and years for bands to get there. They’re so hungry for it, waiting for you at the airport, hotels, the venues, it’s great. I love seeing the crowds so into it.”
From extreme fan reaction to extreme movies, he’s had a few tunes grinded onto SAW soundtracks. “The SAW thing happened because the music supervisor reached out. I’m looking for this type of song. I believe I have two songs that ended up on two soundtracks. He also has Revolting Cocks era soundtrack tunes on the NCIS soundtrack. “NCIS did a soundtrack to their show. They had us redo their theme song. That was me. They released it 2007-2008, something like that. Their theme song is kinda like Ministry doing their theme.”
If people can follow the Bandcamp page, that’d be great, videos on YouTube. Huge thanks to everyone to continue supporting me and the projects I’m in and doing. We hope to see people back out on the road in 2023.
Facebook – www.facebook.com/SiglosMusic
Cover artists page – www.facebook.com/NestorAvalosOfficial
