Black Fortress of Opium

Hailing from Cambridge, Massachusetts, Black Fortress of Opium adopted their distinctive name as the English rendering of Afyonkarahisar, the historic Turkish settlement perched atop a massive volcanic formation and once encircled by expansive poppy fields. Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ajda the Turkish Queen, originally from Houston, Texas, supplies guitar, mandolin, melodica, flute, and field recordings among other elements, while guitarist Tony Savarino and drummer Joe Turner complete the core lineup. Their sound fuses Middle Eastern influences with an array of Western idioms including folk, rock, gothic, and psychedelic textures. The resulting style was refined through extended periods of live performances and rehearsals, then documented on the group’s self-titled debut album by producer Martin Bisi, whose prior credits include the Dresden Dolls, Sonic Youth, and Lydia Lunch. Released independently in January 2008, the record marked the band’s first official statement. Bassist Rich Cortese was subsequently enlisted for touring duties.