Mezarkabul
| Mezarkabul | |
|---|---|
 Pentagram, 2008, İstanbul. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Pentagram |
| Origin | Bursa, Turkey |
| Genres | Heavy metal, power metal, folk metal, thrash metal (early) |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Labels |
RMP/Nuclear Blast, Century Media, Sanctuary, Nepa Müzik, Raks Müzik, Böcek Yapim Sony Music Entertainment (2012-current) |
| Website | thepentagram.net |
| Members |
Gökalp Ergen Hakan Utangaç Tarkan Gözübüyük Metin Türkcan Cenk Ünnü |
| Past members |
Ümit Yilbar Murat Net Bartu Toptas Ogün Sanlısoy Demir Demirkan Onur Pamukçu Murat İlkan |
Mezarkabul (Pentagram in Turkey) is a Turkish metal band formed by Hakan Utangaç and Cenk Ünnü. Mezarkabul is known for integrating Anatolian elements into their music. Mezarkabul means 'accepting the grave', 'grave admittance' or literally 'grave accept' in Turkish.
History
Mezarkabul was formed in Bursa in 1986 by guitarist Hakan Utangaç and drummer Cenk Ünnü. In 1987, bassist Tarkan Gözübüyük joined, and they started doing live shows. Their first songs were released in 1990 on the self-titled Pentagram album. In 1992, a second guitarist Demir Demirkan joined the band, as well as a new lead singer, Bartu Toptas, helping Hakan to concentrate on his guitar duties. The new line-up played several gigs until Bartu decided to move back to Sweden. He left the band in March 1992 just when they had started to record the Trail Blazer album. The voice in the beginning of "Secret Missile" is Bartu's. To fill Bartu's void, the Mezarkabul members hired vocalist Ogün Sanlısoy. They released their second album Trail Blazer in the same year and enjoyed growing popularity, both in Turkey and across the world. In 1993 guitarist Ümit Yılbar was killed by terrorists on the mountain of Cıraf while he was serving the Turkish army. The remaining members recorded "Fly Forever" in memory of Ümit Yılbar, but the band recorded more songs that dealt with Yılbar's death: "1,000 in the Eastland" and "Anatolia" (both from the album Anatolia).
For the next three years, the band toured in Turkey and other countries. In 1995, vocalist Murat İlkan replaced Ogün, and they started working on their next album, Anatolia, which was released in Turkey in 1997. Several weeks after the release, Century Media approached Mezarkabul for a worldwide release. The lyrics of Anatolia address war, pain and ignorance, often in an unusual way. In "1,000 in the Eastland" the lyrics stress that "thousands of people are dying in the East, all ignored by the West, where one death becomes a tragedy", at the same time emphasizing that "fighting with hatred feeds the rich men". The album has been praised by Sea of Tranquility.[1]
They released a live album in 1998 called Popçular Dışarı. Guitarist Demir Demirkan departed, and was temporarily replaced with Onur "Mr. Cat" Pamukçu.
The band started recording its next album in 2000 in its own studio in Istanbul. Guitarist Metin Türkcan officially joined the band during the recording session. They composed 17 songs, and decided to split it into two different CDs. In 2001, Unspoken was released worldwide. In 2002, Bir was released in Turkey.
For their releases in Turkey, they use the name "Pentagram". However, due to an American doom metal band called Pentagram, they go by the name "Mezarkabul" for international releases.
Sony Music released in 2008 Mezarkabul's concert album 1987, which includes the band's 20th anniversary concert in Bostancı Gösteri Merkezi on 4 February 2007.
Influence on Turkish music
Mezarkabul is often considered to be the pioneers of heavy metal in Turkey.[citation needed] The band's work has inspired all forms of rock music and helped it to gain popularity in Turkey. They were known to collaborate with the late vocalist of Vitamin, Gökhan Semiz, and Vitamin itself. Also, Tarkan Gözübüyük has produced, arranged and performed with numerous artists and bands. Early examples of his work as a contributing artist includes Şebnem Ferah's debut album titled Kadın which was a huge success in Turkey. Later on in 2005, Gözübüyük produced Ferah's album titled Can Kırıkları. Another example, Mor ve Ötesi's groundbreaking album Dünya Yalan Söylüyor was produced by Gözübüyük.[2] Other than contributions to rock music, Mezarkabul members continued to contribute to popular music as well. Demir Demirkan, as he pursued his solo career, wrote the lyrics and produced the first Turkish song ever to win the Eurovision song contest. Tuna Kiremitçi, of the Vatan newspaper, wrote an article about the band, praising their contributions.[3]
Lineup
Current lineup
- Gökalp Ergen - vocals (2010–present)
- Hakan Utangaç - guitar (1986–present)
- Metin Türkcan - guitar (2000–present)
- Tarkan Gözübüyük - bass (1987–present)
- Cenk Ünnü - drums (1986–present)
Former members
- Ümit Yılbar - guitar (1986–1989)
- Murat Net - guitar (1989–1990)
- Demir Demirkan - guitar (1992–1998)
- Onur "Mr. Cat" Pamukçu - guitar (1998–2000)
- Bartu Toptas - vocals (1990–1992)
- Ogün Sanlısoy - vocals (1992–1995)
- Murat İlkan - vocals (1995–2010)
Discography
Albums
- 1990 - Pentagram
- 1992 - Trail Blazer
- 1997 - Anatolia
- 2001 - Unspoken
- 2002 - Bir
- 2012 - MMXII [4]
Live album
- 1998 - Popçular Dışarı
- 2008 - Pentagram 1987
Demo
- 1991 - Live at the Trail
DVD
- 2008 - Pentagram 1987
External links
References
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