Black Sea Storm releases new record

Black Sea Storm is an intriguing musical venture that began as a side project in 2002 in San Diego, California. Founded by musican Ali Deniz Ozkan, who was active in the American music scene as a bassist in touring bands, the project remained a recording endeavour for years, consistently releasing full-length records. In 2011, it became Ali’s sole musical outlet and in 2017, the project relocated to Buenos Aires. Embracing a nomadic lifestyle in 2018, they took their music to the streets of Peru, Chile and Argentina, and by 2019, they’d performed their first official show in Mexico. With a musical journey spanning multiple countries and live performances, Black Sea Storm has left its imprint all across Latin America.

In 2022, they embarked on a 21-concert tour in Türkiye, marking yet another chapter in their global voyage. Their latest offering, İsmimi Bulutlardan Aldım, serves to showcase to this musical odyssey in recorded form. Comprising 8 tracks, the album was crafted during their exploration of various Mexican cities, including Monterrey, Culiacán, Mazatlán, Guadalajara, Hermosillo and Querétaro. The album’s creation posed a challenge; how to produce a full-fledged rock sound while on the road with limited equipment. Despite the logistical hurdles, this album reflects the convergence of travel, music and creative expression.

Translating as ‘I was named after the clouds,’ the album’s title underscores the belief that music transcends human origins and travels through the universe before manifesting itself through instruments – Black Sea Storm’s nomadic lifestyle and musical process echo this sentiment. The adventure of creating music while traveling fosters inner exploration, yielding a unique musical landscape that resonates with both the soul and the external world.

Opening with “Kirli Duman,” the album commences with acoustic guitar strums and the soft rattling of cymbals. This sets the stage for the artist’s emotive vocals to take flight, crafting an intimate yet impactful acoustic rock ambiance. The track exemplifies a harmonious blend of energy and reflection, revealing the artist’s original songwriting and captivating voice.

İsmimi Bulutlardan Aldım continues to captivate with tracks like “Aramızda Duvarlar Var,” which infuses dynamic rhythms with intricate guitar work, forming a tapestry of sound that dances between compelling guitar lines and rhythmic patterns. The album’s highlights extend to “Durma,” where delicate guitar plucks intertwine with a lively drumbeat, creating a harmonious backdrop for the artist’s vocal prowess.

The album’s final moments arrive with “Işıklı Kapı” a hypnotic composition that merges ethereal guitar tones with the mesmerising resonance of the artist’s vocals, providing a fitting conclusion to this musical odyssey. İsmimi Bulutlardan Aldım was crafted through horizontal songwriting and recording, a process that allowed different instruments to evolve in harmony.

The album’s core, an acoustic guitar and an SM 57 microphone, was intentionally minimalistic, lending the album a unique acoustic progressive rock quality, as Ali explains, “Being constantly on the road requires a minimalist approach to recording.” Adding, “During the writing process of this album, I tried to open myself as much as possible to my surroundings and let the songs write themselves.”

In an era where music can be composed using advanced technology, Black Sea Storm takes us on a journey that harkens back to the essence of creation. İsmimi Bulutlardan Aldım invites listeners to embrace a fusion of sound, exploration and inspiration, encapsulating the essence of musical evolution born from a nomadic existence.

Listen to İsmimi Bulutlardan Aldım below