1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Xahaal : Hello, first of all thanks for your support. Ominous Shrine is a French band I founded in
2016, After years of playing and composed for Malepeste I wanted to make something more
heavy, more death. I tried it with band called Temple of Worms, but I leaved this band in 2016 to
found Ominous Shrine with some friends. Seb from Dysylumn is our vocalist, he played rhythm
guitar too live. Tom is the drummer from Aeon Patronist a technical black/death band and Dimholt
is the ancient bass player of Osirion and Temple of Worms.
Ominous Shrine is an occult black/death metal band dedicated to the left hand path.
2.Recently you have released an album, how would you describe the musical sound that is
presented on the recording?
Xahaal : Well this is old school death metal with some occult, dissonant black metal parts, with
powerful and deep vocals.
3.The lyrics on the album are very much in the Luciferian, Left Hand Path, Occultism and Sinister
Path traditions, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?
Xahaal : Yes, the lyrics describe more or less the path to deification like only Left Hand Path can
offer. I am passionate about all esoterism in general, I like to study all mythologies or current. But I
found myself in the sinister way. The Luciferian Gnosis is a glorification of personal knowledge and
spiritual strength, you are free, your mind stays yours, you are not a part of any God’s plan. YOU
are the only God you need in your life.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Ominous Shrine'?
Xahaal : This name is to express a dark religion idea. Something between spirituality and devotion,
nothing is black OR white, this is always black AND white. A shrine is a place where you can feel
good, safe, but this one is ominous, as all sanctuary really are when you open your eyes to the
truth.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you
describe your stage performance?
Xahaal : Well, for the moment Ominous Shrine just played one show, others are planned but for
the moment we just have on experience with this band. We all have a lot with other bands, but
this first one for OS was really good. Great feedbacks and energies on stage. I wanted to do
something more “classic”, simpler than the Malepeste’s shows. No candles or other decorum, just
some incense to help us to feel it on stage. But nothing more.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
Xahaal : Just a couple of shows in my town with bands like Pensée Nocturne, Anus Mundi, Azziard,
The Negation etc… But we are looking for more. The stage is very important for me.
7.The new album was released on 'Goathorned Productions', are you happy with the support they
have given you so far?
Xahaal : Goathorned Productions is a very good label, and Luis is now a friend. He is really involved
in his job and it’s a real honor for me to have his support for Ominous Shrine.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and death
metal?
Xahaal : Maybe it’s too short to answer correctly, but for the moment feedbacks seems to be
really good.
9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the
band members are a part of?
Xahaal : Malepeste and Dysylumn are working on a split together and an album for each band.
Aeon Patronist is going to release a really good EP too. And of course some shows in Europe like
Forest Fest, Ragnard Rock or Little Devil festival.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Xahaal : I will continue to compose music in this way, and I hope to play a maximum gigs in some
different places.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and
also what are you listening to nowadays?
Xahaal : This is bands like Grave Miasma, Dead Congregation, Maveth, Sheol or other bands of the
occult black/death scene who makes my vision of what I am looking for in death metal. But I am
listening a lot of things from In Solitude to Dalek, via Urfaust, Hetroertzen, Inferno, Subrosa,
Sektarism, Chelsea Wolfe or Schammasch. But these are just a very little parts.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Xahaal : Nothing more than saying thanks to you for your support. And to all people who
continues to make this music real.
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