Turkish Metal

by Pierre Hecker

Turkish Metal journeys deep into the heart of the Turkish heavy metal scene, uncovering the emergence, evolution, and especially the social implications of this controversial musical genre in a Muslim society. The book applies an ethnographic approach in order to study social and cultural change in a Muslim society that is stricken with conflict over the, by turns, religious or secular nature of the state. Turkish Metal explores how Turkish metalheads, against all odds, manage to successfully claim public spaces of their own, thereby transforming the public face of the city. The book raises the question of how and why the young dare to rebel against the prevalent social and moral restrictions in Turkish society; and it examines whether they succeed in asserting their individual freedom in a society that is still well-known for sanctioning any kind of behaviour deviating from the norm. Above all, the book investigates the Turkish metal scene's potential for contesting Islamic concepts of morality, its relevance within the field of female emancipation, and its capacity to foster social relations that cut across national, religious and ethnic boundaries.

Genres: Music

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Erkan Saka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deserved tribute to Turkish metal. As a metalhead since late 1980s, I could confirm that this is a very well done ethnography of Turkish metal circles. The book created a strong sense of nostalgia as I read through. I spent happy times as a teenager in "Eloy" club in Bakırköy. I signed a petition against columnist Engin Ardıç who had shamelessly insulted metalheads. I remember not only reading but also collecting Aptulika's drawings back in Hıbır magazine. I remember talking to Cenk of Nekropsi with whom we went to the same high school. He was like an elder brother to me. I strongly remember moral panics created by Turkish mainstream media and conservative press. I remember there would not be Metal Hammer in English so I would spend all my pocket money to buy the German version- without knowing German.
The author not only narrates but also engages theoretically with his subject matter and it gives even more meaning to this work.

[Eren]

böyle bir çalışma varmış.