A sociological perspective on heavy metal music from Türkiye

This thesis examines Turkish heavy metal music sociologically by comparing it with Western examples and exploring its uniqueness. While heavy metal has been widely studied in the West, its meaning and sociological significance in Turkey remain an important topic. This case study is based on a literature review, various Turkish and foreign sources, including books, articles, theses, interviews, media, and websites, have been analyzed. Interviews with Turkish musicians were conducted to gain firsthand insights. The first section explores the origins of heavy metal music in Western countries, tracing its evolution from blues to rock and then heavy metal. The second and third sections examine Turkey's musical history, from early Westernization efforts to today, discussing rock, Anatolian rock, and Turkish heavy metal in a sociological context. The fourth section compares Western heavy metal with its Turkish counterpart from different perspectives. The study concludes that Turkish heavy metal developed through interactions with Western heavy metal and Turkish musical traditions. Just as German, British, American, and Scandinavian heavy metal have distinct identities, Turkish heavy metal also possesses its own unique style and originality.