The Grim Scheme of Magena - Interview with BLACK CIRCLE SORCERY/SIN SLOANA - 5/8/2026
The Grim Scheme of Magena - Interview with BLACK CIRCLE SORCERY/SIN SLOANA - 5/8/2026
We had an F-4 tornado like 2 weeks ago. I was sitting in my apartment, drinking a Lime Topo Chico and cooking some Beef Alfredo when it was all going down. It’s what we do out here.
2. To start off, could you give me some background on how Black Circle Sorcery came to be?
Well, I started BCS at the washed up age of thirty haha. I felt maybe it was too late, but then decided I didn’t care and I had some ideas to manifest. I remember talking to Wrest of Leviathan on instagram one time, and he told me he also started LVTHN at 30. Needless to say, it just reaffirmed my thoughts that music is an ageless experience. It doesn’t belong to anyone, and it even transcends space and time.
3. What’s the recording process like for you, and what gear do you prefer to use?
I tried Pro Tools and didn’t like it, Reaper is the only way. I bought all my gear for under $1000 total. I play a BC Rich Avenge Guitar (Son of Beast) and BC Rich Revenge Bass (2008 model). I have 40+ vst effect chains i’ve created over the past 2 years, but use 10 religiously. I give them names by how they sound to remember what is what, for example, a guitar chain called “Howling Winds” or “Lycanschord”, shit like that.
4. How do you notice your style of black metal under Black Circle Sorcery has evolved since your first full length release, Elegy Of Nightside Despondency, up to your latest full length, No Mercy In The End?
Well, for one, I hate every BCS release except that one. Most of my releases under BCS, i like 40% of it, and dislike the rest. Some tracks, like Disharmony and Nyctalopia and Back into the Darkness, I’d use today. I had only been recording for 1 year for most of the BCS releases, and No Mercy in the End feels like the point in which i actually “got it”. And that goes for finding my own unique sound, production, mixing/mastering, and mastering the kind of tones I like. I think in the early days, I was trying too hard to fit into the “black metal” mold and emulate my own version of what inspired me. Now, I don't even try to make anything in particular, I just allow myself to make what comes to me, and I don't care if it’s well received or doesn’t fit in any box. I realized I'm closing off creative potential, limiting myself, and humans are not one dimensional beings. But hey, we all start off sounding like shit. It’s part of the process. It’s been a year, and I still like 80-90% of it, so that may be about as satisfied as I can get. I’ll never be 100% satisfied with anything I make.
5. On your instagram you have stated that you’ll be focusing on another project you have, Sin Sloana. What made you want to focus less on Black Circle Sorcery and how different stylistically is the new Sin Sloana project you’re working on?
Black Circle Sorcery is done. I decided to close that chapter and start anew with Sin Sloana. Just felt like I needed to. So basically, its a rebrand, but not. I will release all music from now under that moniker, but it will be a more experimental and focused project, because of what i know now. I know what ideas, soundscapes, atmospheres and imagery i envision behind the inspiration and i haven’t found anything that quite captures this particular feeling i get, so i’m going to give it a spin. Stylistically, it’s definitely in the avant-garde metal category. I’ve been calling it Avant-Garde Metal, Dark Ambient Metal, Nocturnal Black Metal, etc. It’s faster and more aggressive than BCS in the more metal parts. It’s more abstract. It’s also more droning. There’s even some punkier or jazzier parts in it, one song uses a Saxophone. I haven’t heard that in black metal yet.
6. What was your introduction to extreme metal and what bands influenced your sound the most?
I was born in the nineties, so I got into metal during the debut of Nu Metal, started my journey around 2004; started with Korn, P.O.D., Sore, Mugg, Orgy, Number One Son, Powerman 5000, etc. Eventually, I wanted to find things that were more extreme in musicality and nature, so that led me to finding my preferred subgenres that i enjoy today. My favorites would be the more atmospheric, dissonant sounding Black Metal bands like Feigur, Arizmenda, Forgotten Tomb, Adversarial, Golgaborg/Hatefog, I Shalt Become, Blut Aus Nord, Velvet Cacoon/Clair Cassis/Pumkiva, Mannveira, Leviathan, Wigrid, Wedard, etc. Powerviolence bands like Flesh Parade, Despise You, Insult, Capitalist Casualties. Like alot of Slam and Brutal Death, Gorevent is my favorite. 2000’s Trip-Hop and Ambient/Drone stuff like Bowery Electric, SouthPacific, Isabel’s Dream, Perfume Tree. Hmm, Darkwave/Ethereal Goth, bands like Lycia, Autumn’s Grey Solace, Cocteau Twins. And of course Shoegaze, my favorites being the Swirlies, Fleeting Joys, Whirr, Chainlacing, Failure, Have a Nice Life, etc. I listen to genres outside of this, but this will go on forever, i’m a true music fan, first.
7. I also believe that things outside of music, such as films, shows, video games and books can be just as influential. Is there anything else that has contributed to your sound that you grew up enjoying?
Honestly, no. I make music off what I experience, think, feel, imagine. The core of it comes from within. As for Sin Sloana, the best way I can describe it, is that its the sound of empty midwest highways, warehouses, and closed restaurants on a windy summer night at midnight. Walking around the Lake Hefner trail by yourself at 11pm, and sitting on the park bench, in the middle of Oklahoma. An even mix of urban and rural landscapes. What you see, hear, feel, think about. It’s all from my perspective.
8. What bands or artists are you listening to most nowadays? I’ve seen you mention some trap artists such as Mexikodro and Icytwat, so I assume your taste in music goes beyond the confines of black metal.
Since i mentioned all the Rock/Metal adjacent stuff previously, I’ll give some honorable mentions to some subgenres I also really like that fall outside that scope. I’m a big George Clanton fan, does like a Vaporwave/Shoegaze/90’sD&B kinda sound. Jungle, D&B, Eurohouse, Trance, too. I like alot of fusion artists you can’t really categorize, like Doss, Frou Frou/Imogen Heap, Clams Casino, Enjoy/Puzzle, Echostar, etc. I listen to Nas - Illmatic alot. Hmm, Everything but the Girl has kinda a bossa nova/jazz vibe that I get a taste for when I want to go down memory lane. And I’ll always have a spot in my heart for Chief Keef and Waka. To me, trap is often the rap version of metal. Love both when i’m lifting weights.
9. Aside from the Sin Sloana album, is there anything else you’re working on?
Nah, i even get busy trying to work on this demo. I have a busy life outside of music, and don’t really get to spend time on it as much as I’d like, or used to.
Some random questions:
1. Are you a spiritual person and do you believe in the supernatural?
Yes.
2. What’s your favorite thing about the night?
I can exist without other people around me. Life begins at 12am.
3. Are there any other types of art aside from music you do or wish to start?
I used to make really dark, abstract drawings back in the day. I don’t have much time for it now. Unless you consider getting tattooed engaging in art, in which i do quite regularly haha. Once I did my neck and hands, i knew i was committed and just wanted more. I thought about getting into tattooing, but that’s more of a full-time job, and I’ve got my hands full already with what i do outside of music.
Support Magena: https://blackcirclesorcery.bandcamp.com/
2. To start off, could you give me some background on how Black Circle Sorcery came to be?
Well, I started BCS at the washed up age of thirty haha. I felt maybe it was too late, but then decided I didn’t care and I had some ideas to manifest. I remember talking to Wrest of Leviathan on instagram one time, and he told me he also started LVTHN at 30. Needless to say, it just reaffirmed my thoughts that music is an ageless experience. It doesn’t belong to anyone, and it even transcends space and time.
3. What’s the recording process like for you, and what gear do you prefer to use?
I tried Pro Tools and didn’t like it, Reaper is the only way. I bought all my gear for under $1000 total. I play a BC Rich Avenge Guitar (Son of Beast) and BC Rich Revenge Bass (2008 model). I have 40+ vst effect chains i’ve created over the past 2 years, but use 10 religiously. I give them names by how they sound to remember what is what, for example, a guitar chain called “Howling Winds” or “Lycanschord”, shit like that.
4. How do you notice your style of black metal under Black Circle Sorcery has evolved since your first full length release, Elegy Of Nightside Despondency, up to your latest full length, No Mercy In The End?
Well, for one, I hate every BCS release except that one. Most of my releases under BCS, i like 40% of it, and dislike the rest. Some tracks, like Disharmony and Nyctalopia and Back into the Darkness, I’d use today. I had only been recording for 1 year for most of the BCS releases, and No Mercy in the End feels like the point in which i actually “got it”. And that goes for finding my own unique sound, production, mixing/mastering, and mastering the kind of tones I like. I think in the early days, I was trying too hard to fit into the “black metal” mold and emulate my own version of what inspired me. Now, I don't even try to make anything in particular, I just allow myself to make what comes to me, and I don't care if it’s well received or doesn’t fit in any box. I realized I'm closing off creative potential, limiting myself, and humans are not one dimensional beings. But hey, we all start off sounding like shit. It’s part of the process. It’s been a year, and I still like 80-90% of it, so that may be about as satisfied as I can get. I’ll never be 100% satisfied with anything I make.
5. On your instagram you have stated that you’ll be focusing on another project you have, Sin Sloana. What made you want to focus less on Black Circle Sorcery and how different stylistically is the new Sin Sloana project you’re working on?
Black Circle Sorcery is done. I decided to close that chapter and start anew with Sin Sloana. Just felt like I needed to. So basically, its a rebrand, but not. I will release all music from now under that moniker, but it will be a more experimental and focused project, because of what i know now. I know what ideas, soundscapes, atmospheres and imagery i envision behind the inspiration and i haven’t found anything that quite captures this particular feeling i get, so i’m going to give it a spin. Stylistically, it’s definitely in the avant-garde metal category. I’ve been calling it Avant-Garde Metal, Dark Ambient Metal, Nocturnal Black Metal, etc. It’s faster and more aggressive than BCS in the more metal parts. It’s more abstract. It’s also more droning. There’s even some punkier or jazzier parts in it, one song uses a Saxophone. I haven’t heard that in black metal yet.
6. What was your introduction to extreme metal and what bands influenced your sound the most?
I was born in the nineties, so I got into metal during the debut of Nu Metal, started my journey around 2004; started with Korn, P.O.D., Sore, Mugg, Orgy, Number One Son, Powerman 5000, etc. Eventually, I wanted to find things that were more extreme in musicality and nature, so that led me to finding my preferred subgenres that i enjoy today. My favorites would be the more atmospheric, dissonant sounding Black Metal bands like Feigur, Arizmenda, Forgotten Tomb, Adversarial, Golgaborg/Hatefog, I Shalt Become, Blut Aus Nord, Velvet Cacoon/Clair Cassis/Pumkiva, Mannveira, Leviathan, Wigrid, Wedard, etc. Powerviolence bands like Flesh Parade, Despise You, Insult, Capitalist Casualties. Like alot of Slam and Brutal Death, Gorevent is my favorite. 2000’s Trip-Hop and Ambient/Drone stuff like Bowery Electric, SouthPacific, Isabel’s Dream, Perfume Tree. Hmm, Darkwave/Ethereal Goth, bands like Lycia, Autumn’s Grey Solace, Cocteau Twins. And of course Shoegaze, my favorites being the Swirlies, Fleeting Joys, Whirr, Chainlacing, Failure, Have a Nice Life, etc. I listen to genres outside of this, but this will go on forever, i’m a true music fan, first.
7. I also believe that things outside of music, such as films, shows, video games and books can be just as influential. Is there anything else that has contributed to your sound that you grew up enjoying?
Honestly, no. I make music off what I experience, think, feel, imagine. The core of it comes from within. As for Sin Sloana, the best way I can describe it, is that its the sound of empty midwest highways, warehouses, and closed restaurants on a windy summer night at midnight. Walking around the Lake Hefner trail by yourself at 11pm, and sitting on the park bench, in the middle of Oklahoma. An even mix of urban and rural landscapes. What you see, hear, feel, think about. It’s all from my perspective.
8. What bands or artists are you listening to most nowadays? I’ve seen you mention some trap artists such as Mexikodro and Icytwat, so I assume your taste in music goes beyond the confines of black metal.
Since i mentioned all the Rock/Metal adjacent stuff previously, I’ll give some honorable mentions to some subgenres I also really like that fall outside that scope. I’m a big George Clanton fan, does like a Vaporwave/Shoegaze/90’sD&B kinda sound. Jungle, D&B, Eurohouse, Trance, too. I like alot of fusion artists you can’t really categorize, like Doss, Frou Frou/Imogen Heap, Clams Casino, Enjoy/Puzzle, Echostar, etc. I listen to Nas - Illmatic alot. Hmm, Everything but the Girl has kinda a bossa nova/jazz vibe that I get a taste for when I want to go down memory lane. And I’ll always have a spot in my heart for Chief Keef and Waka. To me, trap is often the rap version of metal. Love both when i’m lifting weights.
9. Aside from the Sin Sloana album, is there anything else you’re working on?
Nah, i even get busy trying to work on this demo. I have a busy life outside of music, and don’t really get to spend time on it as much as I’d like, or used to.
Some random questions:
1. Are you a spiritual person and do you believe in the supernatural?
Yes.
2. What’s your favorite thing about the night?
I can exist without other people around me. Life begins at 12am.
3. Are there any other types of art aside from music you do or wish to start?
I used to make really dark, abstract drawings back in the day. I don’t have much time for it now. Unless you consider getting tattooed engaging in art, in which i do quite regularly haha. Once I did my neck and hands, i knew i was committed and just wanted more. I thought about getting into tattooing, but that’s more of a full-time job, and I’ve got my hands full already with what i do outside of music.
Support Magena: https://blackcirclesorcery.bandcamp.com/
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