As you know, we just experienced the metal eclipse on March 4, 2023. Danish doom metal band Saturnus and Swedish black metal band Craft performed in our country for the first time on the same day. I was part of the Saturnus crowd on this day that divided some fans. After years of waiting, including canceled concerts in 2013 and 2019, our dreams finally came true in 2023. I’d love to throw in a little joke here, but I’ll leave it at that

I remember clearly the disappointment I felt when the 2019 concert was canceled. Saturnus has always been one of my favorite bands, probably because we Turks have a knack for melancholy. After buying my ticket and waiting eagerly, I saw the cancellation news and had a few internal monologues about my luck. Thankfully, many of us, including myself, turned seeing Saturnus live into a mission, and we gathered at the concert on the evening of March 4.

There are both great and not-so-great things about this concert that come to mind. First off, the last-minute venue change caused quite a stir. Initially set to be at Zorlu PSM, the concert was moved to Milyon Performance Hall in Ataşehir. While having the concert on the Anatolian side was convenient for me, moving it from the European side at the last minute messed up a lot of people’s plans. Many fans returned or wanted to return their tickets. Even though the decision was made due to Zorlu PSM pausing music events because of the earthquake, it might have been better to move it to another venue on the same side of the city. Normally, I don’t mind if a venue is near or far; I came from Eskişehir for this concert. The band came all the way from Denmark. It’s impossible to please all of Istanbul simultaneously. The problem was that the change was made too late.

Now, let’s talk about Bulvar 216 and Milyon Performance Hall. It was clear we were in Ataşehir. There were hardly any decent places to eat. We couldn’t even find a Burger King for those of us on a budget. The pricey restaurants bugged me a bit. Milyon Performance Hall is inside Bulvar 216. My initial reaction was a bit skeptical, given my past experiences with Milyon weren’t stellar. Aside from the lack of staff at the coat check, I had no complaints about the venue. I’m sure those who were there understand what I mean—yes, we all waited as if Saturnus would play among our coats.

Sound-wise, I wasn’t disappointed. While I did hear some negative comments about the sound after the concert, this topic always divides listeners no matter where we are. There are always those who like it and those who don’t. Surprisingly, the last concert I attended at Zorlu had terrible sound—buzzing and hard-to-hear guitars. At Milyon, where I came with low expectations, everything sounded clear, both at the front and the back. The venue’s design was also decent. I was thrilled to find a spot at the back where I could sit and still see the stage clearly. If you’re not as short as I am (159 cm), you could easily see the stage from anywhere.

Saturnus’s performance was excellent. They took the stage right on time (a sign of respect for the audience) and played for about 2 hours and 30 minutes. They also played two tracks from their new album. For me, the setlist was a bit long, but I considered it a make-up for the canceled concerts. Additionally, the band donated 12,000 TL from their merch sales to cover the educational expenses of a musician affected by the earthquake. I’m truly touched by the gestures of bands visiting from abroad. Thank you, Saturnus.

As for the audience, despite all the disadvantages mentioned, everyone who chose to attend was very happy and content. Thomas, the vocalist, constantly interacting with the audience and his love for chatting made the atmosphere even more enjoyable. I also have a vivid image of Thomas drinking Turkish tea in a small glass on stage. These sweet gestures make a concert unforgettable.

One memorable moment was when a Syrian flag was thrown on stage, causing a bit of a commotion. I don’t find such actions very logical. Thomas’s confused look at the flag matched my reaction perfectly.

Before this concert turns into an urban legend like the Queen Afyon concert, I want to thank Vera Müzik and Hammer Müzik for making it possible for us to finally see Saturnus live.

Take care, and see you at the next metal event!