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?
First of all, it is a split with a fellow one-man Black Metal project "Karanlık". We actually play together in Cosmic Funeral, so this split was in our agenda for so long. I personally did all production and post-production for both bands. So, I can say that I am happy with the result and I hope that the feedback will be likewise. I usually design my songs (Ohol Yeg part) with more meaning and depth. However, those things are actually only for myself, I do not expect the listener to find them. For instance, in this split album, the track called "Orbiting the Infinite Void" is definitely my deepest song in terms of meanings and metaphors.
Other than that, about the sound, I think that this has been my best sound so far. Since I always develop myself in terms of recording, mixing and mastering my sound improves further as well.

How would you describe/label the music on it? Does it sound like anything we might have heard before?
For my part, I describe it roughly as Black Metal. Because I do not want to be limited to a single subgenre of it. I usually try to generate a big picture of Black Metal by using various elements from different Black Metal subgenres. I humbly think that this release is relatively unique. It is definitely why I produce my own albums in different ways, because when you work with studios it all ends up the same. That is also why I do not prefer to have a unified sound within my albums, I think every track has its own theme and deserves a unique sound while gathering under the master theme of the album.
For Karanlık's part, I would also roughly say Black Metal. I do not prefer to comment further about Karanlık's work.

Where was it recorded and how much time did it take you to record it? Any interesting stories from the recording/producing the material?
All of my instruments and vocals were recorded in my home and it took around 3-4 weeks to record it. The mixing was the most complicated part as always and it took around 2 months. Only in the track "Primal Demise", once I arranged the guitar tone, it was just perfect so I did not really touch it apart from the basic stuff. Another interesting story was that I actually composed "Burning Crescents" with Cenotaph's bassist Ata Berk Angı. He was actually the one who composed the rhythm guitars of the song. 
Karanlık's songs were also recorded at Ahraz's home, apart from the vocals. The vocals are recorded in Deadhouse Studio. 

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?
 Definitely, there is a link. The album is called "We Despise the Crescent" and we stand as the victorious enemies of the destroyed crescent which is, of course, another metaphor. I also can say this: my band is called "Ohol Yeg" and the name comes from two ancient Turkic entities who will bring the end of humanity (in my own story, that is), starting from destroying religions which taught humanity that they are superior to nature. Ohol is the god of brutality and Yeg is a/the devil. So you could say that two of us represent those entities on earth against the religions in the cover artwork. The artwork is also designed by me, only the photos of us were taken by Serkan Tuna who is a great photographer.

What do you expect to gain through this release? What are the band's aims at the moment?
The answer is most simply "to be able to reach out". I assume that almost none of the newly-emerging Black Metal bands expect too much money from their music. So, it is mostly about the self-satisfaction and reaching out. We also expect to show a good and unique Black Metal emergence from Ankara, Turkey where is a poor city in terms of Black Metal scene.

Is there a special format the material is released in? Or is it released in multiple formats? How many copies were pressed?
It is initially released as digital. But, we are also planning to print it as hard copy soon.

Where and how will you promote this new release?
It will be on various online platforms and I am relying on self-promotion for now. Since I did not accept requests from a few labels, I am on my own. I am not against being under a label, but I just couldn't find the "one"

Where can we order it from?
For now, it is only oholyeg.bandcamp.com but soon it will be available in the most-known stores online (Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, Apple Music etc.).

October 2018