Biography
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Years Active
1987 – present (37 years)
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Founded In
Istanbul, İstanbul, Turkey
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Members
- Demir Demirkan (1987 – 1997)
- Gökalp Ergen
- Murat Net (1989 – 1990)
- Ogün Sanlısoy (1992 – 1995)
- Tarkan Gözübüyük
1986, Bursa, Turkey
Mezarkabul (known domestically as Pentagram) is one of the most famous heavy metal bands in Turkey. Founded by Hakan Utangaç and Cenk Ünnü. In 1987, bassist Tarkan Gözübüyük joined. Their first album, the self titled "Pentagram" was released in 1990 and consisted of speed/thrash metal songs. Murat Net, who would later be replaced by Demir Demirkan, played lead guitar for their first record.
Two years later, the band released their second album, "Trail Blazer", and for the first time gained the attention of heavy metal authorities in the world. Especially Ogün Sanlısoy's vocals played a great part in this success. Additionally this album contained the very first bits of traditional Turkish music in Mezarkabul songs (No One Wins the Fight).
Five years after Trail Blazer had been released, in 1997, the band released another album called "Anatolia" which was, for many, the climax of the band's musical career. In Anatolia, the anatolian/turkish sound took so vast a place in the music that the band would be almost associated with this sound. The band also covered a "türkü" (turkish folk song) called "Gündüz Gece" by Aşık Veysel. With this album Ogün Sanlısoy was replaced by Murat İlkan who had a unique and metal-friendly vocal technique. After the release of Anatolia in 1998, the band recorded a gig performed in İstanbul and released a live album called "Popçular Dışarı"(POP'ers out!) which also contained a cover of "Black Magic" of Slayer.
In 2001, the band released two albums called "Unspoken" which consisted of Mezarkabul songs with English lyrics, and "Bir" containing songs with Turkish lyrics. Demir Demirkan was replaced by the lead guitarist Metin Türkcan with this album. Recorded and mastered in Sierra Studios in Greece, "Unspoken" was full of anatolian tunes and philosophical lyrics. Prepared especially for the Turkish audience, "Bir" contained two more "türkü" covers which are "Şeytan Bunun Neresinde" by Aşık Dertli and "Bu Alemi Gören Sensin" by Aşık Veysel.
The band caught so much attention with the "Unspoken" that they performed in Wacken Open Air in 2002.
They also released a Concert DVD (which took place in Istanbul) called "Pentagram 1987", collection of all their songs during 20 years.
In 2010, Murat İlkan decided to leave the band; Gökalp Ergen replaced him.
The current line-up of the band is;
Gökalp Ergen : Vocals
Hakan Utangaç : Rhythm Guitar
Metin Türkcan : Lead Guitar
Tarkan Gözübüyük: Bass
Cenk Ünnü : Drums
last.fm artist connection: Pentagram
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