Hey there! Today, I’m taking a trip down memory lane to talk about an album that’s really special to me. I hope you enjoy reading about it and get a chance to listen to these classic sounds from the past.

Tears is a local heavy metal band that was formed in Istanbul in 1989. The original lineup included Özgür Öztürk on guitar, Sinan Çilesiz on vocals, Cenap Üstel on bass, and Ergün Arpacı on drums. Their debut album, “Winds of Dreamland,” was released in 1994 under Hades Records. This album is particularly significant because it was dedicated to Pentagram guitarist Ümit Yılbar, who tragically lost his life 27 years ago. Now, the album has been remastered and is available on digital platforms, something I had been eagerly waiting for. My next wish is to see them perform live someday.

After taking a long break from music, Tears, led by Özgür Öztürk, released a new album 26 years after “Winds of Dreamland.” The new album, “Flowing Portraits of 50 Years,” which depicts 50 years of Öztürk’s life, was one of the highlights of 2020 for me. Alongside new songs composed with a new lineup, the album also features a re-recorded version of the title track from “Winds of Dreamland.” While it may not have made as big a splash as the comebacks of bands like Dr. Skull and Metalium, I believe it’s a valuable return.

What makes Tears special to me is Özgür Öztürk’s exceptional guitar work and his talent for composing. I stumbled upon Tears before I knew many other metal bands, and I was instantly drawn to their guitar solos. Of course, the band has its shortcomings, which can be attributed to the era they were in. For instance, I believe Sinan Çilesiz should not have been the vocalist for an album sung in English. The band’s biggest setback might be his pronunciation, which is consistently problematic. It’s pure Turkish English.

Now, let’s talk about the album itself. “Winds of Dreamland” and “We Are All Alone” form the core of the album, with other tracks built around these two. “We Are All Alone” is one of those local metal tracks I never get tired of replaying. Even though it’s part of a classic heavy metal album, it’s very progressive for its time in 1994 Turkey. With its riffs, transitions, and guitar solo, it definitely transcends the monotony of heavy metal.

Another standout track is “First Light of the Morning.” Despite the poor pronunciation, it still manages to captivate you. Every time the phrase ‘first light of morning’ is sung, you find yourself wanting to finish the line. The guitar work is impeccable, as Özgür nails it on every track. The only downside is the poem-like section at the end. But even calling it bad feels wrong because it becomes strangely addictive. If you don’t find yourself smiling with a touch of sadness when you hear “IT’S NOT OVER BABE, NEVER, NEVER,” then something’s off—listen to it again.

After the heavy metal rush of “Feel the Fire,” we encounter a more somber moment with “Rest in Peace (for Ümit Yılbar).” Knowing a song is written in someone’s memory always adds an emotional weight to it. The effect added at the end of the song really hit me hard.

“Cries of the Memories” is another melodic piece that fits well with the rest of the album. It reminds me of the feelings I had while watching Dr. Skull live. I’m sure it would be a blast to hear this one live and sing along. Some riffs have a Black Sabbath vibe, while others are quite energetic.

I might be emotionally biased towards “Winds of Dreamland,” but I firmly believe it’s an instrumental album far ahead of its time. Özgür Öztürk’s distinctive guitar tone has carried Tears through the years beautifully. Even with an entirely new lineup, the 2020 album “Flowing Portraits of 50 Years” managed to retain the band’s original sound. Özgür will always be a musician I deeply admire. I hope he continues to produce albums that excite his audience. For those interested in listening, my favorite track from the album is “We Are All Alone.” I also recommend checking out the new album. I’ll end with a quote from Özgür himself. Enjoy the music!

“Müzik müziktir. Sanatçı bir şey üretiyor ve sergiliyor. Köklü grup ya da yeni grup fark etmez, iyi müzik bir şekilde yolunu bulup gidiyor.” (Music is music. An artist creates something and presents it. It doesn’t matter if it’s an established band or a new one, good music finds its way.)

Asuna Pehlivan