It's always reassuring when you come across a band that is clearly just out to fucking rock and have some fun but who can write songs that aren't totally pointless as well. Victory Metal standouts Sister Sin are just what the doctor ordered if you are tired of fashion core or whatever new trend of the week is stinking up the airwaves, magazines or blogosphere.

Every year has standout moments and records or personalities who shone bright. 2010 had Zakk Wylde's Bezerkus tour with Clutch really standing out from the pack, Sean Yseult of White Zombie/Star & Dagger fame delivering the missing goods in her must have book I'M IN THE BAND for fans disappointed by the recent content-light White Zombie boxed set plus amazing albums from across the punk and metal spectrum like Karma To Burn, Crime In Stereo (R.I.P.) and Danzig to name a few. Still, there is always something to bitch about despite the diamonds in the rough.

Here at Avengers Headquarters, my comrade Drew (alias Drewcifer, Drudas Priest, etc.) and I basically just sit around drinking beer and listening to Manowar's "Hail And Kill" over and over, bitching like the old guys on the Muppet Show about how many bands suck today. Thankfully we were both really jazzed to both be able to give Sister Sin's latest album TRUE SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND the full horns aloft endorsement so few records deserve. We knew upon hearing "Outrage" that this band must be featured in Crusher Magazine and so are proud to present our Q & A with this very righteous straight up heavy metal group!

MYE: There have been a few years between each of your records. What were some of the experiences between SWITCHBLADE SERENADES and TRUE SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND that led to TRUE SOUND coming out the way it did? You sound extra rowdy!

DAVE SUNDBERG: We did a lot of tours on SWITCHBLADE and basically played every song from that album in different live shows and on different occasions, and one thing we felt and thought about it when we started writing TRUE SOUND was that we wanted something a bit heavier and more forward that would fit our stage presence and energy a bit better. We felt like our aggression, if you will, on stage didn’t always transfer through the songs the way that we wanted on the previous album. That’s one of the reasons and another one is that by natural development we tend to lean towards more of a NWOBHM kinda sound because that’s basically what we listen to still and closest to our hearts. Also these two last years is the first time we’ve tried to survive on music which is close to impossible and being constantly broke gives you a more darker perspective on things, maybe why we sound that extra rowdy (laughing).

MYE: Gothenburg is really known for death metal and while your band is gritty, you seem to also have a bit more fun than the average growling band…though In Flames have been known to party! Can you talk about what it is that influenced you to go in the musical direction you did?

JIMMY HILTULA: We were of course influenced by many of the old hard n heavy eighties bands, punk rock etc. Even though Gothenburg was flooded with death metal bands at the time it was not a decision to go the way we did just because of that. I had played death metal for years before I joined Sister Sin in 2004, and frankly I was tired of playing that kind of metal. I felt compelled to audition for them since I thought it would be fun to play some basic, straight forward old school shit. So when I met the other guys it was obvious that they didn’t have much to do with the current metal scene. They formed the band just to play some good old heavy metal and we didn’t stop doing that and here we are today.

MYE: For sure! You have a lot of old school influences. We hear some Doro Pesch and Motley Crue inspired stuff but you also have heavier parts and twists and turns. I just saw Crue at Ozzfest. There’s still total relevance in what THEY do and in your own band’s incorporation of some old styles but with your own touches also. You are updating and not just recreating the past. It is cool you don’t shy away from guitar solos and strong choruses. It’s cool to be weird but also sometimes feels good to just hear some bad ass rock n roll. Steel Panther is kinda intentionally goofy but your band and Crashdiet have this sorta glam 80’s touch w grit and seems more genuinely an homage but serious too.

DS: Starting this band, we’ve never intentionally had a plan that we’re gonna bring the 80’s back or whatever. Well, not the scene but there was shit loads of great music in the early years which got forgotten and stained because the bands started to dress like transvestites and doing never ending power ballads.
We all grew up listening to the early Motley albums, WASP, Judas Priest etc. and when the four of us got together that was the kind of music that came out of it. But there was never ever any talks about incorporating the whole cheesy lyrics and image thing to it because that would have been just stupid I guess. We’re not exactly Poison riding around in white limos and doing blow off the counter in our 20 Million dollar mansion, so there’s no use pretending we are. We all come from working class environments and by listening to a lot of heavier music as well I think the over all vibe with our lyrics, look and attitude leans more towards Motorhead and that kinda more punkish thing. I still love a lot of the 80’s bands still but that was then and now is now and I don’t think that the same exact scene would come back or go over well with the kids today. Steel Panther are really cool but I enjoy them the same way I enjoy Spinal Tap so it’s a completely different thing, of course.

MYE: How is it working with Victory Records? It was weird at first as a fan of their early hardcore records days to see all the metal records they have been putting out, but I think Victory Metal is a really cool imprint and a healthy thing for music.

DS: Definitely! I know a lot of people raise their eyebrows when they noticed we’re on Victory and I was kind of surprised too when they took interest in the band and eventually signed us. I´ve been actually listening to a lot of 90´s Hardcore that Victory put out and we’re familiar with the label so when they started widening their roster with all kinds of bands we basically just took a shot and sent them a demo since we didn’t have label in U.S. at the time. I can honestly say that the "success" and everything we´ve accomplished the last two years is all because of the hard work, support and dedication from Tony and the amazing staff at Victory Records. Not many bands from Europe are able to tour America, record videos and what not so we’ll be forever grateful to them and hope for a long and healthy relationship.

ANDREW JOHANN DATOUSH: What is the worst pick up line you have heard from a fan at a show, Liv? Are they too nervous to talk to you sometimes or generally respectful?

LIV JAGRELL: I would say they are in generally very respectful towards me, and yes I think that some might be nervous or scarred talking to me, that might be understandable cuz I guess I can be sort of scary on stage (laughing). Just kidding, but yeah… I have a rough appearance and a lot of energy when I perform, but after when I don’t have much energy left I promise…I’m very nice! Worst pickup line? Tricky question. Guys don’t seem to try pickups on me. Girls have done it though! Girls are often more forward and not afraid, so I would guess one not sooo good pick up line was a girl who said she needed to borrow my phone to call, and then she called her phone so she got my number. Actually not a bad pick up, but a little sneaky in my opinion (laughing).

MYE: The “Outrage” chorus is really big. What can you tell us about writing that song? It reminds me of some party tunes by The 69 Eyes that are sort of about getting fired up but still are a bit on the angry side!

DS: "Outrage" was the last song to which we came up with melodies and lyrics to. We had already recorded the music and we’re like, "Fuck! What are we gonna do with this??" In the end the chorus came out of pure frustration, the whole "COME ON, BRING IT ON..." was basically me screaming at the wall trying to come up with just something to get the track nailed. The rest of it just followed smooth and our producer was like, hey, this might actually be a single. And it did. 69 Eyes is a cool band cause I know Jyrki is a big SS fan but embarrassing enough I´ve never really listened to them. Will do though, immediately! (laughing)

MYE: You’ll like them. So, the new Sister Sin videos are awesome! Any funny stories or blooper moments from the video shoot experiences? How did you come up with the ideas for the videos you chose to be the singles from TRUE SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND?

JH: Thanks! Well, funny or not. The shoot for "Outrage" was kinda odd since we were hanging upside down for the most part. It was fun in the beginning but it turned into being really tough. When we were done for the night my every muscle hurt like hell, never felt anything like it (laughing). The others were beat too. We did throw some ideas back and forth with the film crew before we settled for the final idea. Same went for the video on "Sound of the underground".

AJD: I normally will catch a lot of shit for this, but my personal favorite Iron Maiden album was X FACTOR where Blaze Bayley sang for the group. His powerful deep voice gave Maiden a completely new sound on their albums, and most fans turned away at that point. My point is, there are a lot of “fly by night” music fans, even though metal has the most loyal fans of all music. Sister Sin really seems to care about metal. I hate that some people act like Sabbath didn’t exist after Ozzy, while certain albums like TYR and BORN AGAIN get no attention. Does Sister Sin have any “Skeletons in the closet” in terms of “uncool” albums you are fans of and think are underrated?

JH: I hear ya! In terms of Sabbath I really love the DEHUMANIZER album with Dio. "TV-Crimes" is still an absolute favorite but sadly also forgotten by most.

MYE: “Computer God”!!!

AJD: What are some of your favorite bands that you have toured with? Any stories from the road you’d like to share?

LJ: We haven’t been touring with Doro but we have played shows now and then with her and she and her band are always very nice to work with, I have a lot of respect for her and the guys working with her. We also did some shows with Motorhead last year that was great. Mikkey Dee is Swedish too so he invited us for a lots of beers and vodka and party all night. The only bad thing was we had to leave for Sweden at an early flight the day after and I can tell you, it’s NOT very nice being hung over on a 20 hour flight! Won’t do that again.

AJD: Yesterday I posted on Facebook that the W.A.S.P. cover of “Paint It Black” was the best cover of the song ever. I hadn’t heard your cover yet. Are you willing to throw down with Blackie Lawless to prove dominance?

DS: Yeah, we did a cover of "Paint it Black" on an album called DANCE OF THE WICKED. I’d just wanna say DON’T buy that album if you come across it! It was the first demo we recorded as a band and being young and stupid we let some Greek label release it as an album. Pretty embarrassing and our cover of that song is nowhere near as good as W.A.S.P´s version of it. We played with them many times here in Europe and Blackie is still on top of his game so I’ll think we might wanna wait a couple of years for that throw down (laughing)… But it’s coming!

MYE: (Laughing) That’s great. You’re too humble. Your cover is cool! So, what’s the one U.S. city that you would most like to play?

DS: We´d played in San Diego now three times and there’s always more fans coming out every time and requesting us back, so definitely San Diego. Plus that’s one of the few cities we’ve actually had some downtime to check it out and check out the bar scene. I´ll guess that contributes as well.

MYE & AJD: THANKS A LOT! KICK ASS!