DESOLATE SHRINE (Eng.)
1- Hello, thanks for answering to our questions. What are you guys currently up to?
Right now we are anxiously waiting for the release of the new album. Personally seeing the 2lp with all the artwork will be the highlight of the whole process of making “The Heart of the Netherworld”.
2- First off, could you make some history of the band?
We´ve been working as a trio from 2010 if I recall right. I´ve met R.S. and M.T. before we started working as a band and so the formation of Desolate Shrine was quite natural. So far we´ve released albums in biannual intervals and during that time evolved in many way. There´s no demo available as we had material for the full-length as well as all the necessary equipment so there was no point of recording just a few songs.
3- How could you describe your sound?
I think that the Tenebrous Towers is a bit different sounding that The Sanctum of Human Darkness and the new album so it´s difficult to describe our “sound” in that sense. The way I see it, The Heart of the Netherworld is a continuation for “The Sanctum…” I´d say the previous album was a big middle finger to those who prefer death metal easygoing and easy to drink beer with. Depressing, pitch-black abyss of angst and disappointments. While composing The Heart of the Netherworld I did realize that there can´t be another Sanctum as it was the most difficult and life-draining process I´ve ever been part of. The new album has all the elements but total depression is now transformed into a bit more energetic form. It´s more like a grand celebration of darkness. A triumph.
4- What are the band’s main musical influences?
The short answer: death/doom/black metal. Ablaze in the northern sky, Storm of the light´s bane, Entombed, Dismember etc. Recently I´ve been into more ambient soundscapes, soundtracks and stuff like that and I think it´s really obvious while listening to the new album.
5- How is the feedback for your new album being?
So far I´ve yet to read reviews but “Black fires of god” has had amazing feedback. And I know that the full album will surprise many in a good way. It is, for me, a huge accomplishement.
6- And are your personally satisfied with the final outcome?
I am extremely please with the outcome. With Tenebrous Towers we wanted to do certain things which we dropped out composing The Sanctum. Now, I feel that we have taken the most important aspects of our back catalogue, added some new spices and formed a perfected gem out of it. I could not be more proud of it.
7- How could you describe this opus in just 3 words?
Gloomy, triumphant and a joyrney.
8- How has the production process for your new release been?
Pretty much the same as always but with a slightly better equipment and more experience. Technically the process was way easier than before. At first there was a gigantic artistic block when I started working with cover art and there was many months that nothing happened. There was a time when I was ready to hand over the artwork duties to someone else but in hindsight I´m glad I didn´t.
9- And how do you use to work on the songwriting?
It´s a natural process. When I get the songwriting started I most of the time do almost the whole song at the time. It´s really associative nowadays. There´s no need
to THINK what I want to do. I know it already after the previous riff ends. I did, however, doubt one particular song that did not end on the album. That turned out to be the greatest decision of the whole album making process because it forced me to compose my personal favourite ,“The Heart of the Netherworld” in one long sitting.
10 – Finally, what are you near-future plans?
I don´t know. I haven´t though about it. I´m just relieved that the album is coming out.There are some other projects going on which I look forward to. We´ll see what comes out of those.
11- That’s all from our side, thanks again for taking your time to answer our questions. If you now want to add some final words; feel free to do it.
Buy the 2lp. I don´t give a shit about the sales figures but I really, really want people to have the LP on their hands, reading lyrics and looking at the artwork which I´m really proud of. Thanks.
