On the page of French radiostation Vallée FM you can listen to, or download, the broadcast from Death Vallee of the 8th of May, featuring a long interview with Kobi. Next to that, the interview is available through Dailymotion.

Click here to go to the page of Vallée FM

With thanks to Audrey Dujardin from shutterBlast

Orphaned Land’s guitar hero Yossi Sassi Sa’aron has been invited to share the stage with no less than Marty Friedman at his show on  May 31st, at the Reading 3 Club in Tel Aviv. It will be the third time Friedman plays in Israel, as he has done shows with his former band Megadeth there in the past.

This is what Yossi has to say about his upcoming show with the guitar virtuoso:

“Although I already shared stages with Metallica, Iron Maiden and many others, I’m excited more than ever to cooperate with Marty on the same stage, shoulder to shoulder. His recordings with legendary Jason Becker were one of the milestones for me as a guitarist, through his wonderful solos with Megadeth to his current impressive solo career. Since the beginning of our relationship Marty seems to be as pleasant and professional as one can be, in our mutual preparations towards the show together.

I believe we’ll produce nice things together, in the upcoming show and beyond.“

Matti talks about Sufi costumes, Kirk Hammett and India in an interview with Home Nucleaonics.
We were invited to play 3 shows in India, and of course we jumped on the opportunity. India happens to be one of my most favorite places. I traveled there before for straight seven months, and was all over the place. It is like any country I have known, and playing there was very different from playing anywhere else. The mentality is different from the one in Europe or the United States, but that what makes the place so adorable and unique. There are talks of maybe coming there again soon and I hold my fingers crossed for that.

Read the complete interview here.

Picture by Hayatom /With thanks to R. Westland

For years I was taught to hate Arabs and was told how much they hate me and my nation. I was sure Israelis and Arabs, Jews and Muslims could never live in peace. But then something happened, a small movement rose up from the music that taught me more than any teacher, guru, rabbi or sheik could ever do, it is the music of my band: Orphaned Land.

I know that a fan of Barcelona will never cheer for Real Madrid. So how can it be that Arab people follow my Israeli band? The answer is simple; the power of music to bring people together! Music has the force to break down walls. Even worst enemies can find a song they both love and right there, in that moment where they can find something in common, opens a door to dialogue, where we understand that we are all one, we are all just people with the same hopes and fears.

We consider you, our Arab fans, to be the most brave metal heads in the world. Since it is you who are the true ‘underground’. We know how hard it is to be a metal head in the Middle East. We would like you to know that we, as pioneers of the Middle Eastern Metal genre, are trying our best to be your voice too. We are doing this without getting into politics that have divided 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 nonsense they put in our heads are nothing but lies. I know it because we succeeded to reveal that, and we are not politicians, we are just a heavy metal band at the end of the day. Politics will only bring us to be like our leaders, who fail again and again. While you and us, the ‘small people’, we succeed. We are having our dialogue!

Our music is banned in your countries, we cannot come and play a concert for you. Even so, this will never break the bond of music and friendship that exists between us. I see you, our fans, as a miracle. You give us the inspiration to continue as far and as strong as we can.

Therefore, we have found a way to make our latest album available in your countries – FOR FREE! we hope that you’ll enjoy it and spread the word.

Our countries flags might have different signs and colors but deep in our hearts shines the same flag — the flag of hope, friendship and brotherhood. Don’t you ever forget that— it is our duty as ‘Disciples of the Sacred Oath’.

With love, Peace, Salam & Shalom,

Kobi,

Orphaned Land

To get your free download, go to the page of Metal Army International.

The download is only available in countries represented by their flags at the top of the page.

Clearly journalists outside of the metal/ music genre are warming to Orphaned Land‘s unique story. Recent events in Egypt have only increased their interest, as the band is very popular over there.  Mark Levine put it like this in his book Heavy Metal Islam :  “Heavy metal and hiphop have become central arenas for the struggles for social and political freedom across the Muslim world”. With the ongoing flood of revolution in exactly those areas of the world, Orphaned Land are riding the waves.

Contemporary examples of coverage on Orphaned Land in major media:

‘Heavy metal e Terra promessa: l’integrazione passa dall musica‘  article for Corriere Della Sera by Mara Vigevani [ in Italian ] Link added 16.02.2011

Two part documentary for Israeli TV by Emmanuel Rosen [ in Hebrew ]

‘Israeli heavy metal rockers Orphaned Land‘, article for The World by Daniel Estrin

In an act of incredible bravery, Iranian rock & metal magazine Divan has put Orphaned Land on the cover of their 4th issue. Soon after, this is making headlines in the news in Israel. Indeed, Orphaned Land succeeds where politicians fail!

Divan magazine features an 8 page spread on the band, including an interview with singer Kobi Farhi.

Download Divan magazine / Visit the site of Divan magazine / Ynet article “Orphaned Land on the cover of a magazine in Iran” / Makor article “Orphaned Land starring Iranian magazine cover story” / Ha’aretz article “Israeli band Orphaned Land on the cover of an Iranian magazine”

To add to the amazing line-up of the December DVD shows, Orphaned Land have now announced that next to Greg Mackintosh (Dec. 9) and Yehuda Poliker (Dec. 10),  none other than Steven Wilson will be their guest for both shows! Tickets to the 20th anniversary shows of the band are quickly becoming the hottest commodity in town, so don’t wait and order yours right now.

For more info on the shows, for fans traveling from abroad to the shows, ticket sales: click here.

Century Media released a special tour edition of  ‘The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR’. Next to the regular album, the edition contains an additional CD with the video of  ‘Sapari’, behind the scenes video footage of ‘Sapari’, two instrumental versions of  known songs, plus the cover song ‘Estarabim’- featuring Erkin Koray a.k.a. “The Father of Turkish Rock”.

For all European fans a reminder that the band is about to embark for a tour with Amorphis in Europe, for dates click here.

On 9th and 10th of  December Orphaned Land will play shows in Reading 3 in Tel Aviv that will be recorded for a dvd.

Paradise Losts Greg Mackintosh will be there as a special guest for the show of the 9th (Mercy?) and for the 10th the band will be joined on stage by famous Israeli singer Yehuda  Poliker.  The latter was also the one who inspired the band to choose the name Orphaned Land from the lyrics of one of his songs.

These shows will be also the occasion for the band to celebrate their 20th anniversary! It will surely be a hell of a party!

Fans from outside of Israel who wish to get tickets to one or both Tel-Aviv concerts in December, you can contact: tal(at)orphaned-land(dot)com

French Orphaned Land fans should make sure not to miss out on the next edition of  Hellfest: the band is amongst the first names released for the 2011 line up of the festival.

Visit the site of Hellfest