Cenotaph from Turkey has released a very impressive debut CD called "Voluptously Minced". We sent them an interview and their bassist Bolent Izgec answered the questions.

1. When and where was Cenotaph formed.

-Cenotaph was formed in summer 1994 in Ankara (the capitol of Turkey -ed). A few line up changes followed and we have been with the same line up in the last two years.

2. The Turkish metal scene are most known for Pentagram and Arabic influenced Doom Metal bands like Nekropsi, My Garden and Tears Of Beggar. Cenotaph does not exactly fit that bill, to put it mildly. What is your view on the scene in Turkey and your position in that scene ?

- As for the most known Turkish bands, my thoughts differ a little bit from yours. This depends upon your opinions of the Turkish scene. The Doom/Gothic scene in Turkey are very small compared to the more brutal music scene in Turkey. In Turkey; people really hate us because of the "special fuck list" (included in their CD -ed), but this does not affect our sales. Our sales are pretty good in Turkey. And talking about the foreign sales; without doubt, we have much more than any Turkish band has ever sold before.

3. Death Metal; pronounced dead but still very much alive. From your viewpoint in Turkey: What is your view on the scene world wide.

- Turkish bands are not so much known in the world wide scene. That’s why most ot the people are thinking Thrash is the biggest trend around the world.
One more reason is that the metalheads in Turkey like to talk and dream more than work on their bands. We got involved with the underground three years ago and we saw how huge it is. If you ask about the trendy world wide scene; of course some great bands exist but we don’t really care to much about them. Especially some unoriginal Thrash Metal influenced Black Metal bands.

4. You have released your debut CD on Hammer Muzik. What kind of record label/company is this ?

- There are two labels interested in brutal stuff in Turkey and one of them are Hammer Muzik. This label released nearly all of the Turkish band’s stuff as official tapes and they also do some distro for major labels like Nuclear Blast, DeHard and by releasing their stuff on official tapes. This is the first time they release a CD. But honestly; this label does not know much about working underground and it has poor distro.

5. Do you have any tour plans ??

- Not yet, we have to release our second CD first.

6. What is your future plans for Cenotaph ??

- We have just recorded our new stuff and we are waiting to see it released on CD. It is more brutal, sicker and technical than the first CD. We will keep the band this way.


We are gratefull for Cenotaph’s answer to this interview. They are looking for a label for the release of their second CD.

Cenotaph has this contact address:

Cenotaph, Me-Sa Gunes Sitesi Turgutlu Sok., 13/8 G.O.P, Ankara, TURKEY.
Their debut CD can be bougth from the same address for $ 10 including postage and packing. A very good investment if you are into Death Metal.