Six years after the release of the widely acclaimed album “Mabool”, Israel’s pioneers of Middle Eastern metal music Orphaned Land reunite in the studio to record a fourth full length concept-album called “The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR”.

No doubt that Orphaned Land‘s music has always been considered as unique in its genre, from the raw and aggressive “Sahara” and “El Norra Alila” albums to the progressive and orchestral “Mabool”, where they mixed their Middle Eastern culture with powerful music to deliver an even more powerful message. This is why they not only have a big following in Occidental countries, but in the Muslim world as well.

“The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR” continues with Orphaned Land‘s tradition. According to the band’s singer Kobi Farhi: “Music is a journey and for us metal is just a starting point. We travel the Middle East through our music”.

Not only is “A Heaven You May Create” a film which shows the making of this album, from the ups and downs during the recordings to the sessions with producer Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and guest musicians Erkin Koray (known as “the father of Turkish rock”) and The Arab Orchestra Of Nazareth. It is also a documentary that delves into personal stories that inspired the album’s concept and that explores Orphaned Land‘s worldview.

Is it possible to sum up in 40 minutes what took six years to create? Certainly it helped that Matan Shmuely, the director of “A Heaven You May Create”, is a close friend of the band and has great knowledge of their music. Matan is in fact the drummer of Orphaned Land, but did not record this album, instead participated in the project by shooting this documentary. He succeeded to give a unique inside look at a unique metal band that strives to break through political and religious barriers with their music.

…so “a heaven you may create”

The documentary will be available as a DVD which is part of the limited edition of the album “The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR”, released January 25th (Europe), February 9th (USA) 2010 by the international label Century Media.

“A Heaven You May Create”

Documentary, Israel, 2009

Duration: 40 minutes

Language: Hebrew, English and Turkish

Subtitles: English

Produced & directed by Matan Shmuely

Editor: Itay Ben Tal

Sound Designer: Nofar Kulishevski

Music: Orphaned Land

With: Kobi Farhi (Orphaned Land)

Uri Zelcha (Orphaned Land)

Yossi Sa’aron (Orphaned Land)

Matti Svatizky (Orphaned Land)

Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree)

Erkin Koray (guest musician)

Shlomit Levi (female vocals, guest musician)

Avi Diamond (drums, guest musician)

Nizar Radwan (guest musician, The Arab Orchestra of Nazareth)

Additional credits: Kinneret College (equipement)