Almora

In 2001 guitarist Soner Canozer, previously of Knight Errant, established Almora as his symphonic metal vehicle. Already versed in incorporating violin within metal contexts, Canozer pursued a broader vision for the new project by fusing soprano vocals with violin, flute, yayli tanbur, and piano passages, an approach that earned praise from both Turkish and international critics. All tracks were penned by Canozer, and the first recording issued was the 2002 EP Standing Still & Cyrano. Sharing vocal responsibilities were Ahmet Sogutluoglu and Nihan Tahtaisleyen, the latter also handling violin duties, while the lineup further comprised Canozer on guitar and yayli tanbur, Vefa Erdem on bass, Serkan Karabiyik on drums, and Bilge Kocaarslan on flute.

That same year the band delivered its debut full-length, Gates of Time, whose sales figures exceeded typical expectations for Turkish metal releases. Heartened by the response, Almora followed with Kalihora's Song in 2003, an effort distinguished by refined playing, expanded orchestral elements, and increased female vocal presence that drew both domestic enthusiasm and broader international notice. The 2004 album Shehrazad elevated the group to genuine worldwide recognition through its polished production, in which orchestral and metal components achieved seamless integration. European metal publications lauded the record, which also appeared in Japan to considerable acclaim; the renowned musical theater Takarazuka subsequently incorporated two Almora compositions into its Revue of Dreams production, while the popular Turkish magazine Blue Jean placed the album on its Top Five Turkish Rock Albums Containing English Lyrics List.

Almora’s fourth studio album, 1945, arrived in 2006 and featured Turkish tenor opera singer Hakan Aysev on two tracks along with a vocal change that saw Nihan Kiziltan replace Nihan Tahtaisleyen. The release met and surpassed expectations, intensifying the creative demands on Canozer. Local metal outlets celebrated the album, which subsequently surfaced in Japan and Mexico; the first three Almora albums were likewise issued in Mexico later that year. For the fifth album Kiziltan departed, making way for Duygu Sahin, and the entirely Turkish-language Kiyamet Senfonisi appeared in 2008 with guest contributions from Ogün Sanlisoy, drummer Arbak Dal, and Burak Kulaksizoglu. The record adopted a gentler, folk-inflected character built around prominent female vocals and symphonic textures, with “Tilsim” issued as a single. Following Kiyamet Senfonisi, founder Canozer elected to mark his fifteenth year in music by issuing a solo album featuring guest vocalists.