Orphaned Land, the pioneering Israeli metal band founded in the early 1990s, has long championed peace and unity through music. Fusing Middle Eastern melodies with the raw energy of metal, the band has sought to bridge cultural divides by blending prayers from the three monotheistic religions with powerful electric guitar riffs and distorted growls.
The band’s message of unity has resonated across borders, particularly in the Arab world, where they’ve garnered a passionate fan base, despite the political tensions between Israel and its neighbors. However, in the wake of the October 7 attacks, the band found themselves questioning their place in an increasingly fractured world. “After October 7, I thought maybe I should disband the band,” lead singer Kobi Farhi told Davar. “But ultimately, I chose to put it to the test.”
Farhi said some fans wrote messages asking for the band not to sing Arabic lyrics during concerts. “We understand the emotional weight right now, but we cannot deny the message of unity we’ve been spreading for decades,” he said.
He noted that his mother asked him to change the lyrics of the song “Brother,” which calls for an end to fighting between Muslims and Jews. “I told her no, the song is already out in the world,” he said. “In any case, I wouldn’t have changed it.”
The band did decide to remove songs including sounds of rocket sirens or gunfire from their shows.
Since 1996, Orphaned Land has performed in over 50 countries and won seven prestigious awards, including five awards recognizing their efforts for peace and unity. The band’s fan base spans all demographics. Despite their loud, aggressive music, their concerts draw a unique crowd: seven-year-olds with noise-canceling headphones headbanging like seasoned metalheads, alongside 70-year-olds who have been loyal attendees for over a decade.
“This is unique in the scene,” Farhi said. “At our shows, you’ll see the entire spectrum of Israeli society—Jews, Arabs, LGBTQ+ individuals, Chabad members, atheists. It’s a world where there’s room for everyone. Everyone waves their hands and sings the same song together. For two hours, they unite and become a family. In our utopia, we imagine a world where people could live like this.”
In 2001, the band discovered that they had a loyal following in the Arabic-speaking world, despite bans on Israeli music. “I now know that our CDs were secretly sold under the table as early as the 1990s,” Farhi said.
By 2010, the band responded to bans on their music in Arab countries by making their album “The Never Ending Way of ORWarriOR” legally downloadable for fans in those regions, with their record label’s approval.
“Our goal has always been to connect people,” Farhi said. “Tens of thousands downloaded our albums, and many still listen in secret—in Syria, Morocco, Egypt, and beyond.”
However, this sense of unity was tested in the wake of the October 7 attacks. As an Israeli, Farhi found himself in a delicate position. “We stand with Israel, but that stance has led some fans to accuse us of supporting genocide or apartheid,” he said.
Despite some fans turning on the band, Farhi remains hopeful about his music’s impact. “We will die, you will die, but these songs will remain,” he said. “One day, people will embrace them as a model and inspiration for a different way for humanity.”
“Sometimes the message is stronger than the messenger,” he said. “What we’ve been fighting for—the idea of peace—will outlast us.”
Farhi is a messenger for peace, but he’s also an Israeli like any other. “I’m also a human being, a father who runs with his children in his arms to the stairwell during every rocket alarm,” he said.
That duality has sometimes caused tensions in Farhi’s relationship with a Palestinian partner of the band who often posts content critical of Israel on social media. “I struggle to connect with most of his posts—not because what he shares isn’t real, or because people and children in Gaza aren’t dying, but because we assign blame to different sides for what’s happening,” he explained. “Yet, when we exchange messages, there’s still compassion and understanding. I still see the person I know.”
In December 2023, just two months after the massacres and despite lingering doubts, Orphaned Land took the stage in Tel Aviv for their annual Hanukkah concert. Farhi described the experience as emotional. "Half the audience was crying," he said.
In November 2024, the band departed on a delayed world tour. “The National Security Council advised us ‘not to emphasize our Israeli identity,’ but we are an Israeli band. It’s part of who we are, and it’s written on the posters,” Farhi said. “Everyone knows which venues we’ll be at and when. There were a lot of fears, and we had many discussions about it. But we felt we couldn’t just stay home. The microphone is our weapon, and we had to go. We couldn’t let fear paralyze us. So, we hired a security guard and went on tour.”
Their five shows in South America and 32 across Europe reinforced their relevance. “The shows were packed,” Farhi said. “There were locals, as well as Israelis and Arab fans living in Europe. At almost every show, we saw Syrians, Egyptians, Lebanese—students and immigrants living there. At many performances, Israeli flags were waved—not always by Israelis. The concerts were incredible and emotional. It reminded us that songs are eternal.”
In Barcelona, anti-Israel activists promoting the Boycott, Divest, Sanction movement threatened to cancel the band’s concert. Farhi reached out to the venue’s owner, explaining the band’s commitment to peace and their mission of unity. Despite the threats and online backlash, the owner decided to hold the concert. This act of solidarity allowed the concert to proceed, further reinforcing Orphaned Land’s belief in the transformative and enduring power of music.
The band addressed the activists directly with an open letter, highlighting their history of collaborations with Palestinian and Muslim artists. The letter read, in part: “Our commitment to unity is not symbolic; we live it—touring together on the same bus, sharing meals, doing laundry, and performing side by side. … Your method—boycotts and coercion—creates division. Our way emphasizes dialogue, understanding, and unity. We ask that you respect this different approach to our shared goal. Both Palestinians and Israelis deserve peace and dignity. For decades, we’ve shown that coexistence is possible. We’ve proven this through action, not slogans.”
An Open Letter to the Prou Complicitat Amb Israel CoalitionHa Shalom Aleichem, A-Salamu Alaikum,I hope this message finds you well.For weeks now, you’ve been working to cancel Orphaned Land’s December 8th show at Razzmatazz in Barcelona. (To our fans reading this: the concert is going ahead as planned—we can’t wait to see you!) You’ve pressured the venue and promoter, following a pattern of intimidation against those who refuse to align with your views, arrogantly deciding that your way is the right way. You portray yourselves as advocates of human rights and peace while raging against a band that has been advocating for the same for over 30 years.Your main argument seems to be that we dare to question the effectiveness of cultural boycotts, that you dislike our choice of vocabulary when being outspoken against our government, and are angry at our suggestion that the conflict that you first took interest in a few years ago and we have lived through our entire lives might be more complex than “Israel bad, Palestine good”. And you don’t seem to like the fact that I expressed my love for my friends, family and neighbours in Israel by saying I like Israelis.We have spent the last 34 years fostering dialogue and understanding through music with Orphaned Land. Despite having few resources, we have achieved real impact. On the other hand, since its inception in 2005, the worldwide BDS movement has failed to achieve any of its goals. Nineteen years of boycotts and cancellations have not influenced the policies of the Israeli government – who we oppose – in any way. Instead, BDS has deepened division, fuelled antagonism, and increased hate and distrust between people on both sides. By any measure, this is failure.While Orphaned Land disagrees with boycotts as a strategy, believing instead in open dialogue and cooperation, we must question the motives of any movement that targets a band like ours—a band that has dedicated its entire existence to spreading a message of peace and unity. As an Israeli who has been showing solidarity with my Palestinian brothers and wearing a Keffiyeh since before most of you were even in diapers, it is quite surreal to find myself trying to explain the futility of your attempt to boycott us. I cast my mind back to our show in Turkey, where fans from Countries across the Middle East and North Africa – Iraq, Iran, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt – some of those Countries that have been at war with both Israel and each other – came together, united by a love of music, highlighting the stupidity of the conflicts the powers that be drive us towards, and the idiocy of boycotts that would prevent moments like these from ever happening.I was born in Jaffa in 1975, long after the wars of 1948, 1967 or 1973, and grew up in a city where Jews, Muslims, and Christians live side by side. Experiencing this co-existence that sadly was all too often interspersed with hate, death and violence had always been a part of my reality and daily life. It is this upbringing that shaped our worldview and our music and the message that we carry today, even though this most difficult and horrific of times.Releasing our debut album “Sahara” in 1994, we pioneered “Oriental Metal,” blending Hebrew and Arabic lyrics, regional instruments, and themes of coexistence, taking influence from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures that surrounded me.Our first album cover featured a mosque—unprecedented in Israeli music—and included the word “Allah” in our lyrics, earning us a significant following among Arab metal fans. From the start, we have been embraced by listeners across the Middle East, transcending borders and conflict. We have used the platform our international success has provided us to bring a Palestinian band on tour all over Europe – the only band in the long history of heavy metal to do so – and when we were awarded Metal Hammer’s Global Metal Award, insisted they received it alongside us. We have collaborated with Palestinian and Muslim artists, and brought Lebanese and Syrian belly dancers on tour with us. While our “leaders” fight and “activists” boycott, we unify.We’ve participated in five collaborations with Palestinian musicians, including one during the current war that we will release via documentary. Our commitment to unity is not symbolic; we live it – touring together on the same bus, sharing meals, doing laundry, and performing side by side.Our music consistently advocates peace. Songs like “Brother” reflect on the shared lineage of Jews and Arabs. “All Is One” calls for an end to holy wars, emphasizing our shared humanity. Tracks like “Children” and “Through Fire and Water” mourn the innocent victims of conflict, while others like “New Jerusalem” envision a city of peace for all religions. These are just a few examples amongst dozens and dozens across our recorded music.We’ve received five peace awards—not because we sought recognition, but because others recognized our efforts. We’ve released albums as part of The Peace Series, and many of our songs feature Hebrew and Arabic lyrics, blending cultures to promote the idea of harmony.Your suggestion that our name, Orphaned Land, is tied to Theodor Herzl’s quote about “a land without people” is unfounded. The name reflects our disillusionment with the so-called “Holy Land,” perpetually stained by bloodshed. It has nothing to do with your claims and there are hundreds of interviews you can read where I’ve been asked about the origins of the band’s name. I’d urge you to read them.We believe both sides must be engaged to achieve peace. Like a dove needing both wings to fly, progress requires balance.Your method—boycotts and coercion—creates division. Our way emphasizes dialogue, understanding, and unity. We ask that you respect this different approach to our shared goal.Both Palestinians and Israelis deserve peace and dignity. For decades, we’ve shown that coexistence is possible. We’ve proven this through action, not slogans, sharing meals, conversations, and daily life in the small confines of a tour bus. This experience became a powerful example of what could be achieved.With millions of Israelis and Palestinians living side by side on this land, the only path forward is to learn to live together, to become friends, and to foster understanding. This must begin with education, instilling these values in future generations. We must find leaders who prioritize peace and coexistence.The alternative is an endless cycle of conflict and war. It’s time to choose the path of unity, not division.Your attempts to silence us only highlights your unwillingness to engage in true dialogue and furthers the division that keeps this cycle of conflict going.Given our songs, collaborations, our embrace of multiculturalism in our music, our artwork, our live performances and the fact I have been wearing the Keffiyeh decades before any of todays modern musicians ordered theirs online, I’d argue that it’s very difficult to find an artist who has so consistently preached a message of equality and harmony between all peoples, particularly Israelis and Palestinians. And yet here you are choosing to try and shut us down.Music transcends borders and ideologies. Our songs will outlive us, carrying messages of hope long after we’re gone. Lluis Lach's Catalan song “L'Estaca” will forever be stronger and more impactful than even 300 years of your activism. Silencing singers under the guise of activism serves no one and nothing. “Canto que ha sido valiente, siempre será canción nueva” (A song that has been brave will always be a new song) – Victor Jara"Si Se Calla Ell Cantor, Calla La Vida, porque la vida, la vida misma es todo un canto" (If the singer is silenced, life is silenced, for life itself is a song) – Horacio GuaranyTo our beloved friends and all the people of Barcelona, we welcome you to come to our concert on December 8th at the Razmatazz and judge us by our music, lyrics and message we carry for 34 years now.Tickets link – https://www.salarazzmatazz.com/en/08-12-2024/orphaned-land-dirty-shit-royal-rage-ring-of-gyges-strleWith huge love and respect,Kobi Farhi,Orphaned Land
Posted by Orphaned Land on Friday, December 6, 2024
In the end, Farhi says, the concert in Barcelona turned out to be one of the most successful shows of their current tour: it was sold out, and outside, only a small handful of anti-Israel activists protested. Hundreds responded on Facebook with messages of support for the band.
Farhi believes that musicians hold a unique privilege and responsibility. “A musician has the power to bring together people from completely different walks of life,” he said. “You won’t see this mix of people in a synagogue or at a soccer game. But you will at a musician's concert. That’s our role.”
Reflecting on the world tour, which is coming to an end, Farhi said that the band’s experiences will influence their next album. The upcoming album is expected to blend Orphaned Land’s signature fusion of music and messages with the profound impact of recent events, including October 7. As always, their art will aim to inspire reflection, hope, and unity, proving once again that music can be a powerful force for healing and connection.
This article was translated from Hebrew by Marina Levy.
