Doomed Confessionary: Kuzey, Arda, Can & Haluk (Chainwind Ritual)
Chainwind Ritual originated from Istanbul/Kadikoy, Turkey in late 2021 and was formed by childhood friends Kuzey Alemdar (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Haluk Arda Aslan (drums) with the vision to find and create a new sound. They experimented with different genres like sludge, groove and doom to find a combination of sounds that resonated with them the most.
Arda Tosun joined the band a few months later as the lead guitarist, and the three composed »Chainwind Ritual«, »Into The Trees« and »III« which shaped the sound of the band and the upcoming album. With the participation of Can Osmanağaoğlu (bass) in early 2022 as the final member, they proceeded to work on the rest of their debut album. Chainwind Ritual’s debut album »Untitled I« was released on March 15th, 2024 via Tamar Records.
Can you say a few words about your band?
First of all, we are four friends from Istanbul that were already in the underground music scene here, but as a part of the audience. Already playing instruments ourselves, we decided to form a band that made music we liked but did not see any similars to here.
What was the biggest challenge for the band last year?
As our drummer is studying abroad in Canada, we had to record our debut album in two parts which took about half a year. When we finalized our mixing process we had doubts and were generally unhappy with the final sound, which then prompted us to start over completely, starting with searching for a new mixing engineer. When we finally did find someone, it was not for another two-three months that they could start working on the raw tracks. The mixing process itself was painstaking to say the least. As this was going to be our big entrance into the music world we obsessed over every little detail an unhealthy amount. Though in the end of two long years we were proud of what we heard and think it paid off.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Going back to the answer of the last question, we are very proud of releasing a debut album that is in line or maybe even greater that what we envisioned when we first started making music two years ago. Another one is landing a gig together with one of the stoner metal greats and of course a huge influence to us, Bongzilla.
What was your biggest regret?
Not buying more guitar pedals before our country’s economy went to shit 🙂 In all seriousness, It was probably during the second mixing process when we lost a lot of our motivation towards making music due to the feeling of being stuck with an album that seemed like would never be finished. This loss of motivation resulted in a great amount of lost time where we did not create as a band.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
While it is hard to pin down a single concert as the best, the one with the highest energy and hype audience-wise was the one we played at the Woodstock bar on January 7, 2023. There was almost a never-ending mosh pit in the front and the audience would sometimes join in to sing the chorus even though our songs were not available to listen anywhere yet, online or hard-copy. Another one is when we played with our very talented friends from the scene, Make Mama Proud which took place at 4/20, 2023. Playing a 4/20 show with a band we look up to was definitely a highlight in our career. It was a very stoned evening to say the least. 🙂
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The biggest surprise for us was our music being accepted and appreciated outside of our country when we didn’t even have great expectations here. While we thought we might stand out sonically from our peers here, gaining the recognition of the worldwide underground metal audience was a big morale boost and source of motivation.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
As of lately, we have been listening to a lot of Sanguisugabogg, Iron Monkey (their new album fucks), Earth, Helak (Turkish sludge/post metal), Leak, 200 Stab Wounds, Title Fight – especially the »Floral Green« album, Gaza, Helmet, Mugwart, Sleep, Leechmilk, Squash Bowels, Septage, OM, Toadliquor, Isis, Slimelord, Brainoil and some early Queens Of The Stone Age.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Istanbul / Turkey?
In our opinion, there is a lot of hidden jealousy and spite between bands in the scene instead of support and a sense of community in general. One concerning thing is the elders in our scene that preach things like “metal music in our country is endangered and the youth does not gravitate towards it and thus there is no more original metal music being created” do not hold the hand of new and original bands, instead they shamelessly jump onto every opportunity themselves rather than give a platform to the promising new acts that they so sadly want to see most of if not all the time. (This is not about a specific band or person. Maybe….) Metal and heavy music in general does not have a wide audience in Türkiye, and you can’t even find a metal show except for maybe in four or five cities here. What this means to us is that we are still a small but slowly thriving community and we need to look out for and support each other because no one else is will unless it makes them money, that is sure.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Our only confirmed upcoming date as of now is April 29 at Dorock HMC, Taksim, Istanbul with Bongzilla but future shows are in the planning process, so stay tuned. 🙂
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Our plans for the future as a band is to challenge ourselves to blur the lines between certain genres and break musical boundries not for the sake of breaking them, but to get out of our comfort zone and create music that is original, different and most importantly something that we will be proud of. Though we do not know what our plans will be 5-10 years later, our core aim will always be to make authentic and meaningful music that moves people, both physically and mentally.
How can people best support your band?
The best way you can support us is through listening to our music, and sharing it people who you think it may resonate with. Spreading the word is the biggest help to us, but if you want to take it a step further you can buy our album on Bandcamp to help us with the cost of being a metal band in a country that does not give two shits about art. 🙂
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Though we may not show it, we appreciate each and every one of you so much you don’t even know. Whenever we get a support comment from you guys it gives us the biggest smile and makes our day (very cheesy, but true). Stay tuned for more from us, you won’t be disappointed.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well