JZ: : First of, I want to thank you for your time. What can you tell us about the beginnings of Crescent and how it was formed?

Crescent: Well thanks for your kind introduction. Crescent was created year 1999 under a different name with a different line up. Was formed by myself and a best friend of mine (Khaled as a second guitarist) at school and we got a drummer (Ahmed) who actually passed away few years ago, May he rest in peace.

JZ: You have two releases out till now, released in 2000 and 2006, how can your fans get a chance to listen to those?

Crescent: The first release is amongst some people and its actually circulating the internet, If anyone miserably couldn't find it, Please message me via myspace and i will gladly send it.

The second release was actually recorded roughly and basically didn't take a final shape up till today, As it was a turning point to the band to switch the genre. So it was somehow abandoned but we will think of recording those old songs again someday.

JZ: You’re in the process of releasing “The Retribution” later this year, what can you tell us about this? The genre? Release date?

Crescent: Well we have already uploaded a teaser on myspace for you to check. Its aggressive/fast and melodic with oriental flavor influence yet carries Crescent's spirit ofcourse. Some people classify it as blackened death metal and others as melodic death metal, I don't really care as far as the music is rich and enjoyable. The release date will be sometime in August 2009.

JZ: How are things in Egypt for metal bands? How hard is it to release albums? And is there any difficulties you faced in the making?

Crescent: Bands started to grow again comparing to the late 90's and i see a good potential in the new founded ones. I wish them the best of luck. Scarab performed in Germany and rocked, WORM will be unleashing a blasting album. so its all going good.

Releasing an album in the market is nearly a failure indeed as there isn't a Metal music foundation in the first place comparing to the number of metalheads or rockers in any european country or the US or latin America. Hopefully it would grow by time and start to have a scene as a sole entity.

JZ: Any specific lyrical theme in this one? Any influnces we might want to know about?

Crescent: More likely about occupation and colonized lands. Injustice and struggle.

JZ: You don’t play as many shows as most other Egyptian bands, why is that?

Crescent: we like to be missed maybe?

JZ: : You’ve been around for a long time, what can you tell us about the old Metal scene in Egypt? And which do you think is better?

Crescent: The older bands had the first exposure which was quite appealing but consider that it was more of a trend at that time and the mainstream in Egypt was Metal/rock music and mainly they were cover bands Uuhhh! Nowadays i think that bands (not all ofcourse) aren't just playing music to follow any fashion which means there is passion in what they do and i really support that.

JZ: A lot of old bands simply gave up on Metal in Egypt, what kept you as active as you are? And do you think that there will come a day when you simply lose hope and stop?

Crescent: Its a pretty complicated issue as our circumstances/culture and society is different, It needs effort to keep up a band especially when you hit the 30's and especially that you wouldn't gain a penny from music that you play. So its the other way around, You pay for the music you play without any return and its something beautiful but still unrealistic. There are also other priorities and having another job and other responsibilities would certainly affect the future of the bands.

JZ: What do you think about the Middle Eastern Metal scene? Any thoughts about how it can be better? Any favorite Middle Eastern metal bands?

Crescent: Started to appear which is great. Best of luck to them all. I don't have a favourite band (yet)

JZ: : What would you say was your biggest threat when forming the band? And do you think things now are better?

Crescent: Losing any of the band members as its really hard to find someone who fits in perfectly. With the same mentality in composition and creativity and to also get along easily with. I think things now are going smoothly forward.

JZ: Any future plans for the band? Any live shows coming anytime soon? Any shows outside of Egypt?

Crescent: Future plans is to get more recognized and heard by everyone, Writing more music.

We might be appearing soon in a gig and it will also be a release party for "The Retribution" EP. So you better be there or you go die!

We really hope to play outside and get more recognition to raise more Egyptian flags.

JZ: Do you think it’s possible for a band in the Middle East to do music for a living? And if you ever got to that point, would you do it?

Crescent: Impossible, But lets hope it can happen in the future. I would definitely do it for a living if its a rewarding option.

JZ: Tell us more about Crescent’s members outside of the music scene. Do you study, work, ..etc? what do you do for fun other than music?

Crescent: All of us work in different fields, We are BUSY guys haha well we meet up, hang out, drink blood...etc

JZ: Any last words you’d like to share with your fans in the Middle East?

Crescent: Crescent will devastate you and leave you in remnants.