Athena

Athena is a rock and ska band from Istanbul, Turkey. The group was formed in 1987 by twin brothers Gökhan and Hakan Özoğuz. They gained international attention by representing Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, which took place in Istanbul as Turkey was the host country that year. The band’s energetic sound blends punk rock and ska, and they are often regarded as one of Turkey’s leading rock groups. Over their career, Athena has released eight studio albums and remains a prominent name in Turkish rock music.

Early Years and Rise to Fame

Athena began as a thrash metal band in their early years, but then they shifted to a ska punk style in the late 1990s. In 1998 they released their second album Holigan, which became a major breakthrough. Fans embraced its upbeat ska sound, and the title song “Holigan” was even adopted by football supporters as a lively stadium chant. After that success, Athena toured extensively across Turkey and even opened for the legendary Rolling Stones at a large Istanbul concert venue.

In 2000, the band’s third album Tam Zamanı Şimdi (“Right Now”) produced hit singles like “Yaşamak Var Ya” and quickly reached gold status in Turkey. The group also showed their ability to connect with sports fans. They recorded the song “Oniki Dev Adam” (“12 Giant Men”) as an anthem for Turkey’s national basketball team, and fans sang it during the team’s run to the EuroBasket 2001 final. By the early 2000s, Athena had established a strong fan base at home with their catchy songs and high-energy live shows.

Eurovision 2004 and International Recognition

Turkey’s national broadcaster TRT chose Athena to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, hosted in Istanbul. Athena performed the ska-rock song “For Real” in the grand final. They finished 4th out of 24 countries, earning 195 points. This strong result was unprecedented for a Turkish rock entry and gave Athena worldwide exposure. After the contest, Athena released “For Real” as a single in Europe and appeared on popular programs like Germany’s TV Total show. Then, in June 2004, the band capitalized on their momentum by launching a new studio album titled Us, further expanding their international reach.

Continued Success and Public Appearances

After 2004, Athena continued to produce new music and evolve its style. The band’s self-titled album Athena (2005) incorporated more alternative rock elements into their sound. In 2010, they followed up with the album Pis, which further blended punk and alternative rock influences. Athena also reached global pop culture in an unexpected way – their song “Tam Zamanı Şimdi” was featured on the soundtrack of the FIFA 06 video game, bringing their music to an international gaming audience. In addition, the members of Athena became familiar faces on Turkish television. Gökhan and Hakan Özoğuz served as jury members on the third season of O Ses Türkiye, the Turkish version of The Voice, in 2013. Throughout the late 2000s and 2010s, Athena maintained a busy schedule of concerts and festival appearances. 

Activism and Social Impact

Athena has used its music and platform to address social issues. In 2003, the band joined a collective of Turkish artists to record “Savaşa Hiç Gerek Yok” (“No Need for War”), a song protesting the Iraq War. This anti-war stance highlighted Athena’s willingness to speak out on political matters early in their career.

Later, the band also took a stand for LGBTQ+ visibility. The most talked-about song on their 2014 album Altüst was “Ses Etme” (“Don’t Make a Sound”). Its music video, released in 2016, follows a day in the life of a transgender woman and openly criticizes prejudice and hate crimes against transgender people. By featuring a transgender protagonist and addressing homophobia, Athena sparked conversations about tolerance in Turkish society. The band members explained that they made this video to confront discrimination and violence faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Athena’s engagement with such social issues has distinguished them as socially conscious artists. 

Recent Projects and Current Status

After the Altüst album in 2014, Athena mostly released singles and special projects rather than full albums. For example, in late 2022 the band released a single called “Haklıyız Kazanacağız” (“We Are Right, We Will Win”). This song is a new arrangement of a popular protest tune, and Athena turned it into a rousing anthem aimed at sports fans and supporters. Notably, “Haklıyız Kazanacağız” was originally a melody by a protest music group, and Athena’s version brought it to a new generation of listeners. The track also became part of the soundtrack for the 2023 Turkish film Kendi Yolumda (“My Own Path”), in which lead singer Gökhan Özoğuz played a starring role. These projects show the band’s continued relevance and their ability to bridge music with other aspects of popular culture.

Athena still performs live at concerts and festivals, often delighting long-time fans with classic hits while also introducing new songs.