Sahara

Combining the rich and historic musical elements of the Jewish and Arabic cultures, Israel's Orphaned Land are unique in the world of metal. In pure metal logistics, they would be defined as a death/doom band with serious progressive tendencies, but they have always been more than the sum of their parts. Their songs are spiritually conscious, reflecting on questions of good and evil, light and darkness and draw influence from a variety of ancient spiritual texts and stories. The music and vocals are rooted in traditional Eastern melodies, both Jewish and Arabic. Sahara, their 1994 debut, is the starting point for what has been a prolific career. With each release the band has honed and polished their sound and direction. But it all started here. Where many metal musicians celebrate their spiritual and national heritages with cartoon caricatures of the past, Orphaned Land embrace, expand and recreate the knowledge of their spiritual forefathers. Their music is both keenly aware and respectful of tradition. What is perhaps most impressive though, is their ability to unify what is too often perceived as opposing forces in the modern world: East and West, Judaism and Islam.

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