Vocalist Kobi Farhi of Israeli progressive folk metal masters ORPHANED LAND has issued the following update:
“For years I was educated to hate Arabs and learned how much they hate me and my nation. I was sure both Israelis and Arabs, Jews and Muslims will never live in peace. But then something happened, a small movement — the music that taught me more than any teacher, guru, rabbi, sheikh, was my band’s music — ORPHANED LAND.
“I know that a football fan of Barcelona will never cheer up for Real Madrid, so how can it be that Arab people will follow my Israeli band? It’s simple — the power of music to bring people together, to break walls, even worst enemies can find a mutual song that they love, and right there — it’s a moment where they can find something in common, a door to a dialogue, to understand that we are all one.
“We consider you, our Arabian fans, to be the most brave metal heads in the world, since you re-defined the word ‘underground’ into a new level.
“We know how hard it is to be a metalhead in the middle east and we always want you to know that we as pioneers of the Middle Eastern metal genre, we are trying our best to be your voice too without getting into politics that divide us for ages. I already know that music can bring people together since I see how many fans we have in the Arab world despite the fact we are Israelis.
“I know that all the wars and bulls**t they put in our heads are just a stupid lie, I know it because we succeeded to break it, and we are not politicians, we are just a heavy metal band.
“We are banned in your countries, not to mention the fact that we cannot play a concert there, this will never stop the power of music and friendship that exists between us — I see you, our fans as a miracle, you give us the inspiration to continue as much and as strong as we can.
“Lately we have decided to make our latest album legally available in your countries — FOR FREE! We hope that you’ll enjoy it and spread the word.
“Our countries’ flags may have different signs and colours but deep in our hearts shines the same flag — the flag of hope, friendship, brotherhood.
“Don’t you ever forget it — it is our duty as disciples of the sacred oath.”
You can download the entire album for FREE at this location.
ORPHANED LAND‘s December 9 and December 10, 2010 concerts at Reading 3 in Tel Aviv, Israel were professionally filmed and recorded for an upcoming DVD release. The Israeli progressive folk metal masters were joined at both shows by Steven Wilson of PORCUPINE TREE. Also appearing on December 9 was PARADISE LOST guitarist Greg Mackintosh; famous Israeli singer Yehuda Poliker performed with ORPHANED LAND on December 10. Poliker reportedly inspired the band to choose the name ORPHANED LAND from the lyrics of one of his songs.
ORPHANED LAND‘s latest album, “The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR”, sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 80 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
“The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR” was released in Europe on January 25, 2010. Mixed by Steven Wilson, who is also responsible for several keyboard parts on the new CD, the effort — which was made available in the U.S. on February 9 via Century Media Records — is a sophisticated concept album which takes ORPHANED LAND‘s unique brand of exotic, heavy music to soaring new heights in terms of complexity and catchiness. The CD’s artwork was created by Zen Two and Native.
