What have been the changes musically since the last incarnation of the band on the "Jouissance" CD? A larger folk and black metal presence? What can we expect for future releases?

S. As far as instrumentation we've changed our tuning and incorporated a more diverse presentation of vocals.

The "folk" displayed on the "Covenant & Nihilism" promo is a first for us. We've always been into neo-folk music as well as the handful of metal groups that dabble in it but the metal area is really the same just the new tuning/vocals makes a remarkable improvement. Don't misunderstand the usage of folk and black metal elements; we will not become a generic folk metal hybrid. Most of all the improvements came from a better understanding of the recording process where we can now record and master with professional equipment at our disposal.

I can't tell one necessarily what to expect. We exist in a genre of music that is hellbent on "doing what we want". Well, unlike almost everyone else, we actually do whatever we want. There is no limitation. We are, though, currently writing/recording a very dark and obscure release more so based in the folk and drone-ambient department.

What has been some of the influences, or perhaps inspiration, around Sjenovik musically and philosophically?

S: Current events. The deteriorating state of things. We live in a country whom is involved in an imperialist war in the name of the dollar and they call it "freedom". This freedom is so free that your average household is in $25k in credit card debt yet has an all time low in income rate of about half of what it was 30 years ago. We've been put up for sale by these free-marketeers and the result is a hollowed out economy, global warming and unaffordable health care all in the best interest of corporate lobbyists. Worst of all is the standard public opinion of "I don't care" because they're so dumbed down by consumer culture that owning a designer product and living a plastic designer lifestyle is all one needs and they can simply change the channel and it'll all go away.

A lot of reading. Primarily in the contemporary political arena. Also, classical literature, works in philosophy, religion etc

Dark atmospheric music obviously. Folk/neo folk, black metal and the like, drone/ambient/industrial etc. Although some will insist otherwise, I see it as all the same style of music.

What is your opinion of how capitalism has invaded extreme music and black metal specifically?

S: It's not just "extreme" music, it's any form of music that was built upon being "anti-system" in one way or another. From rock 'n roll to punk to black metal, whom were all reactionary in there own way, all quickly took a turn for the worse when the dollars came out.

Black metal specifically, well, I think black metal is the "bastard child" of sorts to the vicious circle of fakes that endlessly permeates from rock based music. Back in the early 90s it was founded upon disgust for the metal bands (primarily death metal bands) whom all were "evil" or for real or what not and then once that "belief" could become a paycheck everyone was quick to find out that most were all frauds utilizing a gimmick in hopes of rock stardom. These people (largely in Scandinavia) wanted to make it "real". Low and behold, again, the dollars came out and guys were apologizing for or talking around there original convictions and became what they vowed not to: On the cover of a low rent magazine in your local super market, headlining some weak metal fest and ultimately becoming another sub-genre of metal music serving as a support group for inferior "individuals" to feel like they belong to a greater sphere of consciousness.

Is there a political component to Sjenovik?

S. I guess that would depend on what exactly you mean by a "component". Do we lobby to people to believe a certain this or that or join a particular club or vote for a certain politician? No, we don't. One of our opinions could be labeled liberal and the next something drastically different. Sjenovik is, more or less, a crituque of modern times put to music.