Please tell us a few words about the new release, about the music on it as a whole or a few words on each track in part. How are you happy with the final release?
"Shahat" is our fourth full lenght album and it could be seen as a return to the origins of the band. It is rawer than the previous one, it is more into black metal, more atmospheric and more aggressive. Some may say it is also less detailed than the previous one. Yes, it could be, but this time we wanted to be more aggressive and straight to the point than before, without being too illogical or odd.
 
How would you describe/label the music on it? Does it sounds like anything we might have heard before?
I would describe it as atmospheric black/death metal, or something like that. I think we have something in common with swedish black metal bands like Dissection or Naglfar, but the context is pretty different.
 
Where was it recorded and how much time did it take you to record it? Any interesting stories from the recording/producing the material?
We recorded it in my home studio. Since we're busy with work, university and many other things, it took six or seven months to record it, but we did without rush.
There aren't interesting stories from the recordings, apart from the fact that, since I love classic heavy metal and high pitched vocals like Halford, Kiske and Tate, sometimes our singer (who is a basso profondo) thought it is funny to put some high pitched screams in the middle of a serious recording sessions. 
 
What can you tell us about the cover artwork? Is there a link between the artwork and the lyrics? What are the topics of your lyrics?
Cover artwork was made by Alberto Salvioni, a young student at Accademia delle Belle Arti of Brera in Milan . He is a friend of us, we explained him what we were looking for and he made the cover you see.
There is a link between his artwork and the concept behind our lyrics. The album is about a sort of inner journey that a man takes in order to face his subconscious and dark sides. He faces the abyss of his weakness and fears. It is the story of everyone of us, we all have to face these sides of our life. "Shahat" in hebrew language means pit, abyss.
The plot was loosely based on the life of Raffaele Vimercati, who was an italian stargazer, physician and philosopher who lived in the 15th century at the court of the Dukes of Milan, who made predictions for them and made some research in the inner side of humans. Since my family comes from Milan and I'm related to him, I thought it could be interesting to create a story about him, his life and his studies.
 
What do you expect to gain through this release? What are the band's aims at the moment?
I haven't got particular expectations apart from reaching new listeners. Of course I would be pleased to get more attention from people who listen to metal music and I'd like to have more gig opportunities, but I make music for passion. I have a completely different work and I need no money for my music except covering the fees. Writing music to me is a sort of therapy, is very useful. So I'd like to reach some new listeners and to have some new gigs, nothing special.
 
Is there a special format the material is released in? Or is it released in multiple formats? How many copies were pressed?
The album is going to be released in digipack-CD and it will be available in digital format too. We're pressing 200 copies. If there are more people who want it, we will think about reprinting it. There is also a small south american label who's interested in printing other 100 copies in CD jewel-case format, but I don't know yet when it will be released in that format.
 
Where and how will you promote this new release?
First of all, we have some gigs lined-up and we're arranging some others. Playing live gigs is the best way for us to promote our music. Then, we're getting in touch with some webzines like you (thank you for your time and help!) in order to have some promotion on the internet.
 
Where can we order it from?
You can order the digipack cd by writing us an email to tyrfing@hotmail.it or info@bahal.it or sending us a message through our facebook page www.facebook.com/bahalmetal. You can also buy the digital format from iTunes and other websites like it.

October 2014