Mezarkabul - Unspoken

Year of Release: 2001
Label: Noise Records
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:20:01

By now you may have heard that Turkish metal act Mezarkabul used to be known as Pentagram, who released three studios albums - Pentagram ('90), Trail Blazer ('92), and Anatolia ('97) - plus one live album in 1998. With a new name, a new label, and a new disc, things are looking up again for the light of Turkish metal. [They are still known as Pentagram inside Turkey* -PW ed.]

At it's core, Unspoken is a cross between German heavy metal, Swedish power metal, old-school power/thrash with an element of heavy, groove-oriented rock. Pounding rhythmic heavy guitar, which have a driving edge to them. A kind of modern sound which gives us all kinds of slow-, mid-, and up-temp tracks - it's really kind of bizarre, but altogether stimulating. With balanced songs they mix traditional metal influences like Metallica circa the black album with the current sounds of Tad Morose. Almost all opening tracks on CDs kick some serious butt and this one is no exception ("In Esir Like An Eagle"). From there, the album generally stays on a high, but at the same time, it becomes apparent that the band follows a similar groove that can be a touch repetitive. Sometimes I thought "I've heard this before," (indicating the previous track). Still, the band is not playing your typical European (power) metal and their sound is more than refreshing to hear. Vocalist Murat sounds like a cross between Urban Breed (Tad Morose), Marco Hietala (Tarot, guitarist for Sinergy), and even Bruce Dickinson himself.

Oriental influences can be witnessed on the disc[, ones] that are ostensibly played out on the keyboards. Integrated into the music at a perfect level they do not hinder the listener. Anything to stay ahead of the game, but to be honest, they don't need them. This band has the skill and power and they play a style of old-school metal that doesn't need gimmicks to sell well. This is metal as it was meant to sound - heavy. Special mention to the two instrumental tracks "Mezarkabul" and "For Those Who Died Alone" - totally gripping and it's good to see the former almost top the 8 minute mark.

Once in a while a band comes along that reaffirms the reasons why you listen to metal. Mezarkabul is more than a pleasant surprise and if you're looking for something a little bit out of the ordinary then this is a great way to start.

* according to The BNR Metal Pages

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
We Come From Nowhere / In Esir Like An Eagle / Unspoken / Lions In A Cage / Mezarkabul / Take My Time / Pain / Puratu / For The One / Unchanging / This Too Will Pass / For Those Who Died Alone

Musicians:
Murat Ilkan - vocals
Hakan Utanga? - guitars
Metin T?rkcan - guitars
Tarkan G?z?b?y?k - bass
Cenk ?nn? - drums

Discography:
Pentagram - Pentagram (1990)
Pentagram - Trail Blazer (1992)
Pentagram - Anatolia (1997)
Pentagram - Pop?ular Disari (1998)
Unspoken (2001)
Bir (2002)

Genre: Various Genres

Origin TR

Added: January 17th 2005
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website: www.mezarkabul.net
Hits: 1848
Language: english