On this edition of Worldwide Metal, I head to the Middle East to the country of Turkey. With a rich cultural heritage and many natural wonders, the country is a site to behold. A beautiful country of history, architectural wonders and breathtaking views of nature and what the Earth has to offer. But you didn’t read this article for the history lesson. You want to know is there any good metal from this region? Are they even allowed to have metal? Since many areas, like Saudi Arabia, are very critical and hostile towards metal and it’s ideology. Today, I am happy to report that Turkey does have a huge metal scene with some great acts of all different genres of the extreme metal scene.
The first band I’ll be covering is the atmospheric black metal band Nihyra. Formed in 2024, the band truly takes inspiration from the dark and brooding black metal acts that border on the depressive suicidal black metal sound. On their debut album released this year, Astrum Doloris, I can hear elements of Shining & Leviathan in not only the production quality, but in the slow, dirge-like heaviness of the music. The band’s sole member, Deniz Erderin, creates this dark, otherworldly sound with the album. A band to keep an eye on and to check out if you are a fan of the hopelessness and dread of black metal.
The next project I’ll talk about ventures into the atmospheric sludge/post metal sound that you’d get from acts like Isis and Neurosis. That band is Helak. Founded in 2018, the band took its early roots in experimental post-hardcore, before officially transitioning into the sludgy post metal sound they are known for now. Making their debut with 2019’s Inferno, their last album Gnosis truly delivers that sonic onslaught of heavy, doom-laden atmosphere and tone that any sludge fan will slowly bang their head along to. They released their self-titled EP in 2023 and hopefully a new album is on the way. Highly recommend for any sludgeheads out there.
Bandcamp
Symphonic black metal act Diabolical Raw is a band that definitely needs to be heard. With the band’s most recent record, 2022’s Elegy of Fire Dusk, transports the listener to heavy, cold and dark black metal with moments of Middle Eastern instrumentation. The track “Commands of The Gods” gives Dimmu Borgir a run for their money on the symphonic build, spoken word and impressive drumming by Ozan Tunc. I was truly blown away with how good not only how the symphonic elements were done, but the barrage of blasts, heavy guitars and snarling vocals just impressed the hell out of me. I HIGHLY, and let me repeat that again, HIGHLY recommend this band and checking out their album Elegy of Fire Dusk.
The last act I will be talking about veers into the melancholic nature of Funeral Doom Metal with the band Depressive Mode. Created in 2007, this three piece of just guitars, drums and keyboards truly encapsulates the dreary, hopelessness and brooding nature of the genre. Their 2020 album Equilibrium, fit the landscape of the world as the world was forced into exile due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns that happened around the world. The title track, along with “Moon of Artemis” show the band speed up a little bit, while also keeping the doom metal traits and dark undertones of the funeral doom genre. A good record to put on when you are at your bleakest and just want to sink into the weight of the emotions you have to face.
Bandcamp
That’s going to do it for my time visiting Turkey and another edition of Worldwide Metal. Did you dig some of the bands I featured in this edition? Were there any bands you think other readers should check out? You can also let me know what country I should travel to next, so I can stamp my metal passport on my journey to discover Worldwide Metal.
