Rock Off, which first happened in 2014, is definitely the first festival that comes to mind when I think of metal music festivals in Turkey. The poster for the first Rock Off, which was a three-day event, must have blown people away with its lineup: Megadeth, Amon Amarth, HIM, W.A.S.P., Gojira, Stratovarius, Turisas, Haggard, and many more. Later, due to issues with W.A.S.P., they couldn’t make it, and Jorn, with Jørn Lande as the vocalist, filled in. Of course, they couldn’t compare to W.A.S.P., but it was still a luxurious replacement. Plus, for every ticket sold, a tree was planted through the TEMA Foundation.

So, what groups were we expecting at Rock Off 2024 on July 29th, for the 10th anniversary? Let’s compare the two posters to find out.

Honestly, the poster had to highlight Amon Amarth big time. Pentagram was there too, which was great because they’re legends. But, since Pentagram is a local band, we can catch them in different places throughout the year. If we’re at a metal festival, people are usually looking forward to seeing international bands they don’t get to see all the time.

2024 has been a great year for rock and metal in Turkey. We’ve already enjoyed Judas Priest, Scorpions, Bruce Dickinson, Corey Taylor, and many others, and the year’s not over yet. I would have loved to see at least a few of these bands at the festival. People come from other cities and even countries for these festivals. Most can only make it once a year, so they want to spend the whole day in the sun, jumping around, and seeing multiple bands. So, if I don’t come home a few shades tanner after a festival, can I even call it a festival? This left me a bit disappointed leaving the concert. Like everyone else, I would have liked a lineup worthy of the 10th anniversary.

Even before we got to the venue, the M2 Metro Line was already packed with people in black. This always makes me happy. Spotting someone in an Arch Enemy shirt giving a “Yep, that’s us” look to someone in a Lamb of God tank top is a real treat. When we got to the stop near the concert, everyone suddenly stood up, and those who didn’t know where the venue was just followed the crowd.

A few days earlier, I had been at Parkorman for Judas Priest. I knew the place but still followed the crowd. We met up with friends at the gate. We quickly finished off our vodka because they wouldn’t let us bring bottles in, and accepted the vodka offer from some Iranians, clinked plastic cups, and headed into the concert area. Given the country’s economic situation, we usually think drinks inside will be overpriced, so we often drink before getting in, but this time we were running late and Pentagram had already started. Thankfully, drink prices at the event were quite reasonable, about the same as a bar outside. But seriously, can we ditch the app-required payment system? What if your phone dies? Do we have to charge our phones just to get something to eat or drink? Many people end up with cash left over at the end of these events.

Pentagram was on stage when we arrived. Even though I used to go to their concerts often, I hadn’t seen them in a while. It felt great to still experience such a high-level performance from one of Turkey’s most established and important metal bands. They got the crowd pumped up with their 15-song setlist before Amon Amarth and finished with “Bir” in the usual fashion, then handed over the stage to the Swedish Vikings.

Seeing Amon Amarth on stage for the 10th anniversary was very exciting. The Viking stage setup was just stunning. The crowd was already in the mood. They kicked off their set with “Raven’s Flight,” and if you’re a fan of Viking mythology, I doubt you’ll find a better stage setup. With the Viking ship-themed stage design, accompanying battle scenes, and Viking costumes, you found yourself rowing along to “Put Your Back Into The Oar,” whether you wanted to or not.

Vocalist Johan Hegg won over the crowd by interacting with them and adding a few Turkish words to his speech.

They wrapped up the concert with “Raise Your Horns,” raising our beers to the sky, and “Twilight of the Thunder God,” paying tribute to Thor. It was an unforgettable experience for many.

Even though I didn’t get to fully enjoy the festival, it was an incredibly fun night. I’m sure Amon Amarth’s roughly one and a half-hour performance will leave a lasting impact on us. As always, I created a playlist from the 16 songs of this concert. You can check it out here.

I’m confident this isn’t our last Amon Amarth concert, nor the last Rock Off for them. We’ll be seeing these Swedish, beer-bellied melodic death metal legends again soon. Until then, stay metal!

Author: Barış Şahin