HAZERFAN

Not a Slayer Cover in Sight
Amanda Allan - November 14, 2004

Blake's on Telegraph --

Turkish-inspired rockers Hazerfan have a psychedelia-by-deduction aspect. The Beatles' foray into the introduction of Indian instruments into their music can be viewed as a predecessor to the general direction of Hazerfan; however, Hazerfan are not merely a Western rock band with an Eastern timbre--Hazerfan is a fusion in the true sense of the word. Not as Eastern as Kula Shaker nor as Western as Nile, Hazerfan is somewhere between the two. Certain Eastern qualities stand out in Hazerfan's music, such as the use of electric violin to lend a gypsy quality especially in the emphasis of the raised 7th tone in harmonic minor and the airy often reverb-pedaled vocals with the Eastern-style shifting between accidentals. Vocalist Beth Hada is not as cold tonally as Natasha Atlas but at apex points reaches a similar though warmer brassiness, which compliments the cool minor quality of the violin playing in approximately the same note range as the human voice.


The guitar, bass, and drums alternate frequently between Eastern and Western characteristics, drawing on an exhaustive supply of influences from classic rock to blues and funk roots as well as more Eastern phrasings and devices. Hazerfan's flavor resembles that of Zeppelin's "Kashmir", which the band covered--the driving violin line, strong drum/bass unity, and a fuzzy/scratchy guitar sound. The music has a spinning momentum to it, like a whirling dervish or plumes of smoke. There is a metal element at play here, although a more classical one, such as that of old Ozzy or Aerosmith, particularly evident in Hazerfan's use of stop/start devices. Compositionally, Hazerfan layers elements equally as complicated as those which Facing New York coordinates, going in at least as many different directions thematically but also unifying well at crux moments. "Hyperspace" being the absolute standout track, epitomizes the cohesive catchiness of these East-West blues/folk-metal elements in harmony.

While this show did not cause rioting in the streets and no one wore spiked arm bands, this show is Berkeley-friendly, calling on influences popularized in the late sixties from an eclectic, diverse, and musically fluent set of musicians. It is important to protect the works of those who are different from whatever group one associates oneself with for the key interest of drawing on what they do well. Hazerfan is a particularly excellent example of the virtues of absorbing as many influences as possible, even if it doesn't invoke certain stereotypically metal tropes.
- POWERSLAVE MAGAZINE

Hazerfan : Lost Nowhere (TÜ/US,2005)***°

Hazerfan had various changes. Murat Bayhan and Goktan Kural after theband Time Machine had formed Bonustrack in Turkey. Then the name was changed to Hazerfan. Then both Turks moved the band to San Fransisco and quickly found a very compatible, female singer/lyricist Beth Hada who seems to be inspired by the power of the band. Also new to the band is Cris-P, on electric bass and Patti Weiss, on violin. The music is really great and powerful hardrock. The production and evolution I think has improved the music. It is driven by great drumming, electric bass and emotional electric guitars. Various tracks have oriental, Turkish melodies (also in violin) but not necessarily. The combination of bass, drums (partly Turkish), electric guitar, electric violin (mostly oriental), together with the general oriental/Turkish flavour and beyond really gives a very attractive sound. Recommended to any serious hardrock fan !

- Turkish Progressive Music Website by Gerald Van Waes, Belgium

These which visit our side regularly (and read my reviews obviously) they will not be surprised that again I dug out some odd band, the band is not necessarily clean metal. This time East met West . Well, HAZERFAN coming from The United States and they create the music qualify as heavy rock with influences alternative, progressive and first of all with influences oriental music. That is it is the mixture of heavy rock and traditional Turkish, oriental folk music. On the front of band stands the vocalist - Beth Hada (the proprietor of beautiful sensorial voice, oscillating in oriental scales of voice), which together the violins of Turay Dinleyen and Faut Calkan (creators the oriental masterly melodies) brings in the huge dose of oriental climate. The rest of team (the men's part) create Murat Bayhan (the drummer, ideally joining intricate oriental rhythms with enough heavy rock playing) and Goktan Kural (the guitarist, skillfully give to the whole rock-metal energy and guitar melodies). Arrangements includes from typically oriental scales and melody to rock progressive patents with traces of metal, funk and jazz. The tunes bring many emotions, melancholy, positive energy or else gentle darkness. The musicians additionally use (out of the violins) the flute and gentle keys which more strengthens oriental atmosphere and ideally harmonize with the guitar playing.

- "Born to Die Zine" by Gnom , Poland