Striborg is a black metal / ambient project of Australian musician Russell Menzies. The project first began in 1994 under the name Kathaaria and during this time the stage name "Vvelkaarn" was used. The name Kathaaria was adapted from a Darkthrone song titled "Kathaarian Life Code". Three full-length albums were released as Kathaaria; one each year from 1995 to 1997. Following the release of the third album, Menzies grew dissatisfied with the direction of the project and the first album under the name "Striborg" was released later that year. With this change, he also adopted the new stage name "Sin Nanna". From 1997 the Striborg sound solidified around a singular lo-fi black metal style combined with ambient pieces, with all instruments and vocals primarily recorded by Menzies at his home. Releases were prodigious - often two or more per year. Formal releases were initially on the Asguard and Finsternis labels, moving to Displeased and Southern Lord Records as international recognition grew. In 2018 Striborg moved away from black metal with the release of Blackwave, a full-length LP in a dark ambient/new wave style. Menzies announced that he intended to pursue this musical direction on future releases. His live performances after the release of Blackwave increased and showcased this new synthesiser-heavy style. Menzies' lyrics reveal a fascination with forests, darkness, night, misanthropy and death. The names "Striborg" and "Sin Nanna" are the names of a Slavonic wind god and Mesopotamian moon god, respectively.
Line-up
Sin Nanna – All instruments and vocals
Discography
Note: asterisk indicates that the album has been re-released.
In May 2007, Sunn O))) did a Pacific Rim tour with a guest lineup consisting ofOren Ambarchi and Attila Csihar. However upon their arrival in Melbourne, Australia they joined with Sin Nanna for an improvisational performance. The makeshift group took up the name Pentemple and released one live album titled "0))) Presents...". In January 2014, Striborg played live in the MONA FOMAmusic festival playing a new song titled "Purifying the River of Tears". In June 2014, Sin Nanna performed live as Veil of Darknessfor the first time supporting Sunn O))) as part of the Dark MOFO festival. He also played an unannounced set as Striborg on the final night of the festival.
Interviews
Until 2010, contact with Sin Nanna has been limited to online interviews on various blogs and fanzine sites conducted via email. Despite Sin Nanna's very anti social and misanthropic view of society, he agreed to take part in the 2010 Vice documentary , in which he further proved his eccentric lifestyle.
