Band:	Yaşru
Album:	Bilinmeze
Style:	Doom metal, Folk metal
Release date:	April 2024

01. Dünya
02. Kozmik Yolculuk
03. Gün Batımında
04. Bilinmeze
05. Son Nefes

Who's in for some traditional epic folk metal inspired by Turkish folklore, and with sprinkles of doom?

Yaşru (meaning "Mystery" in ancient Turkish) is a Turkish doom/folk metal trio formed in 2009 comprised of Berk Öner (vocals/guitars), Ömer Serezli (bass), and Cemil Can Çolak (drums). The band incorporates traditional folkish instrumentation with modern folk/doom elements, and centres their music around themes such as Ancient Turkish sagas and folklore, as well as subject matters involving death, sadness, darkness, and nature. This style was firstly introduced on the band's full-length debut Öd Tengri Yaşar (2012), and has gradually continued and developed over the last 12 years, leading to the band's 6th and latest release in Bilinmeze.

What may surprise you is the fact that Yaşru weren't always entirely folk-oriented; they'd originally set out as a death-doom act, and there are minor glimpses into that past over the course of this album. However, the opening song "Dünya" is anything but death-doom, but rather top-tier traditional folk metal. I'll begin by saying this is a super melodic and catchy opener, which all begins with an ambient folk section, sounding something along the lines of a Turkish equivalent to Wardruna, due to the use of ethnic folk instruments, synths, and tribal chants. Following its ambient beginning is a multi-layered, epic, repetitive structure, rich with enchanting melodies, where the synth work has a strong epic presence throughout, and various elements, from wind and acoustic guitar, to stylistic drumming, harsh growling vocals, heavy folkish riffs, and traditional melodic lead breaks, craft this impressive opening song together.

The following track "Kozmik Yolculuk" is equally melodic, and perhaps just as memorable as the opener; this is mostly due to the main Ensiferum-style riff melody and outstanding symphonic arrangements; this is also where listeners are first introduced to the passionate clean folkish singing the band have in their arsenal, in contrast to the harsh growls featured on the opener. There is, however, one song that differs from the rest of the album, namely the title track. Once again there's a strong synth presence in the mix, along with passionately performed clean singing, only this time accompanied by deep growls. However, it's the heavy mid-tempo riffs, low-toned powerful bass, and mid-to-slow chugging rhythm that offer a glimpse into the band's doomy past. The song closes with a soft, tranquil section crafted beautifully by synths, keys, and a symphonic background choir that perhaps makes this song the most varied overall. The closing track "Son Nefes", even though perhaps the weakest featured, still doesn't hold back in terms of passion. It's mostly symphonic-based, with pleasant folkish clean singing and lighter instrumentation, and I reckon that it would make a good addition to an epic film soundtrack.

Bilinmeze is an album on the short side, just a touch over half an hour in length; however, throughout these 5 tracks, Yaşru offer much more than a simple case of traditional folk that's rooted to their Turkish heritage. There's also a hint of their former doom ways, and they provide more than enough memorable moments for such a short running time. Folk metal is a genre that stretches across all corners of the globe, where each nation has their own tales of folklore to tell. Only this time, we welcome a trio hailing from Turkey, joining a line of numerous great folk metal acts, and this latest instalment cements their position in the folk metal hierarchy.