I haven't been evident to too many Turkish Metal artists, but I am proud to say that nearly every Metal artist that came out of Turkey, which I have known in my entire life, was a treat for my ears. From KNIGHT ERRANT to MEZARKABUL aka PENTAGRAM and now to the new inflammation that has been taking my attention for some time and that is the Istanbul based foursome extreme Metal act, SOUL SACRIFICE, something good has been happening in Turkey when it comes to Metal and I just wish it would happen in the future in other Muslim countries. Metal music is a sort of freedom out of everything and I think that these religion lawed countries, with Turkey as an exception, really need that angle on their side. "Carpe Mortem" is SOUL SACRIFICE second album but it's the first album that brought them to the arms of the German based power label of Massacre Records. Even while signing bands that could have been left out of the roster, Massacre found a Middle Eastern jewel that would definitely bring them only glory.

SOUL SACRIFICE reminded me of the new era of the Swedish Gothenburg melodic Death Metal, with resemblances to SOILWORK and IN FLAMES without touching the Metalcore angle. Also there are slight Gothic particles that led me to the new material of PARADISE LOST. Of course I can't let go the fact that this is a Middle Eastern kind of band and that its identity is pretty bounding and it shows also on the music with Turkish melodies, Folk instruments and fine Arabian scales. I didn't say the latter because Middle Eastern music is bad or something, on the contrary, my fellow countrymen ORPHANED LAND has been doing the same for years and it adds a lot of butter. Furthermore, what mostly caught my interest and attention throughout "Carpe Mortem" was the easiness and flowing nature that ran smoothly above all the extreme elements. Though the album isn't too extreme as most of the Death Metal albums I know, especially of the old school kind that involved both an uncanny will to be catchy along with the involvement of technical musicianship, it kept me listening and become even more mystified and excited as each track took control of my mind in turns. The large majority of songs were better than I expected because as the last couple of years showed me, there wasn't any good future for the new version of Swedish kind of melodic Death Metal. But after listening to this album, I knew that I was wrong. There is always a light in the tunnel for bands like SOUL SACRIFICE. I am saying this because at first I was more enthusiastic about their cover version to PENTAGRAM's "Fly Forever", talk about fellow accommodation, only to be succumbed to the wonders of "Sarcastic Existence", "Torture My Soul", Turkish sung "Keske", "Comatose" and "Exile". These songs opened me to a wonderful world of amazing lead guitar performances that sometimes reminded me of IRON MAIDEN, triumphant melodic rhythms along with heavy hitters and a set of great vocal work both growls, raspy SENTENCED like tones, and clean patterns.

I know that some of you might claim that this band is pretty regular. Well that is the feeling that is being generated out of this particular act. The feeling and energies reflected towards me by SOUL SACRIFICE made me experience that they are genuine and honest. Urge is a powerful word but I can't really pick up the right one to send you over and wait out for this album and buy the freaking thing. Maybe its exhaustion or something I don't know but hear me out, "Carpe Mortem" should be a part of your collection, whether vast or small. Enjoy the melodies.