ORPHANED LAND INTERVIEW

Israeli band ORPHANED LAND have with "Mabool" created what I regard as the best album of the past couple of years. This album have everything that I care about in music; dynamics, diversity, lots of progressive technicality, atmospheric parts, hard hitting metal power and so on. That's reason enough for me to send some questions to Matti and Orphaned Land;

Interview by Claus Jensen

1) Let's start by talking about the business ... you've left Holy Records, and this is your first album for Century Media ... why the change?

"First of all, thank you for all the compliments, words like these make all the work we've put into it worth while!

Now I'll be happy to answer your questions: Yes our ways with Holy Records have parted, and like every other good thing in the world, this too had to come to an end. Holy Records is a great label, they did very much for us and helped us a lot on our way, but after the 2 albums deal we had with them was over, we really felt we needed a change in that field. Century Media had made us an offer and we had to look into it seriously and consider all the possibilities we had, and eventually we came to a decision, and decided what we felt is right for us."

2) What do you think Century Media can do for you that Holy Records couldn't?

"Both Century Media and Holy Records are good labels. I don't think that there is room for comparison between them. Each label deals with other types of music, other band types and other sounds. Right now we have chosen our path with Century Media and, very much like Holy Records, they are doing their best in order to promote us, and I'm sure they'll be keeping their good work in the future."

3) Eight years have gone since "El Norra Alila" - what have you been doing in all that time?

"We've been here and there, mostly looking for a right way to live our lives, if indeed there is a "right way". Every band member had spread his wings and flew in another direction, both physically and spiritually. Even thought the band was not active for several years though, it has always been in our minds, we all kept on composing and coming up with new ideas all the time, and when we reformed after all the years all these ideas "spilled out" from us, and the outcome you can hear in "Mabool"."

4) Do you feel that there's a danger in being away from the scene for so long? Perhaps people have forgotten about you?

"I'm sure that being away for so long holds many dangers, as much as it holds many treasures. If people have forgotten about us, that I cannot know. Here in Israel people sometimes come to me and tell me that they love us and love our work, even after so many years. Maybe it is because that, comparing to the scene in Israel, we have reached places other bands here didn't, so it is possible we left a larger impression on people. I don't know what the situation abroad is, and I hope that people still listen to "Sahara" and "El Norra Alila" and remember us for them.

Being away from the scene for so many years had done me personally a lot of good... It's like having a clear and sunny day for a change, learning to appreciate the more "bright" side of life, since people in metal are usually occupied with "darker" sides. It's good to know that the sun exists and that it is vital for the soul, like it is good to know that without the rain that the winter brings nothing can grow and exist also..."

5) From the first demo ("The Beloved's Cry") and through the 2 albums ("Sahara" and "El Norra Alila"), you've created a very special style of music, where you combine death metal, classic heavy metal and progressive parts with something as unusual as middle eastern atmosphere and folklore. What made you decide to create this style? Was it a deliberate choice or did it just come natural because of your cultural heritage?

"I think that a little of both. The "oriental" side of our music kind of came to us naturally; it was only a question of time until an oriental riff would find its way into a song. Luckily for us, we could see the unique thing that is happening, and from the first riff that sounded "oriental" we decided that this is the direction we want to go, and that these are the things we want to emphasize. I must say that Arabian music is considered by me, and also by other band members, to be a high form of art, it is one of the band's most favourite genres all in all, and that is why it has found its way into the songs."

6) On "Mabool" you've gone even more progressive than ever before, and especially in the keyboard department. What have the inclusion of Eden done for the band?

"We have gone even more progressive than the last albums, even though the last albums have had also many progressive touches. In this long 7 years break our whole musical perception has been upgraded in many ways. We got more into music, learned to understand what exactly we are doing on our instruments even more then before.

Eden is a progressive dude, what can I say; I think he likes progressive music even more than I do...though I'm not so sure :-) ! His musical knowledge is amazing, I enjoy working with him very much, and he is very progressive and melodic with his ideas. Without his special touches, the album would be very different from what it is today. He has found his way right into the heart of the creation in a very short period of time, and I think that it's his high skills that made the difference."

7) I've known Eden for some years now, through his work with Grimoire, Mercenary and RightOnTime - this leads me to think that the Israeli scene actually has a lot to show in terms of metal bands ...how come then, that we don't hear about them up here in Europe?

"The Israeli scene is indeed very lively and a lot is happening here. There are a lot of metal fans, and a lot of young bands playing and performing. The question why you don't hear about them in Europe is a question that is still a mystery to us Israelis. I can compare the situation to Israeli soccer, or to any other Israeli "product". In the end there is something that just holds us from blending in, in some fields. I think that the fact that Israel is a small country might have something to do with it, maybe the political situation has something to do with it too, but these are definitely lame excuses. I honestly believe that if bands, not only Israeli, will put their souls and hearts into what they do, and won't give up easily, then they too will receive outcomes that will please them, as well as many listeners."

8) Do you think that the music scene and the fans have opened more up over the years for music like yours, for something that just isn't "ordinary"?

"Maybe, and then maybe not. Maybe it's, like you said, all a matter of timing, and if "Mabool" would have been released, let's say, 5 years ago, then people would have not be ready for it, because they would have lacked a certain stage in their musical "evolution", let's call it. But maybe the album would have sounded just the same to listeners if we have released it 5 years ago, we cannot know this, we cannot be certain. I think that the scene was as much open minded many years ago as it is today, being opened minded musically has always characterized metallists, they have always been in search of the new and for the different."

9) Orphaned Land is of course well known in your own country, but you've also accomplished to break through in the Arabian world ... this is quite strange to me, since what we hear about is always problems between Israel and the Arab world. What made Orphaned Land able to build a bridge between those two cultures?

"The bridge was not built by Orphaned Land, the bridge was always there and we only had to cross it. The bridge is called "music", and many before us had used it, in order to carry messages from one bank to an other.

All the political problems are only minor, from where I see it. People tend to occupy themselves with these minor issues too much, way more than is really needed. I think that the fact that a language between Israeli's and Arabs do exist, is much more fascinating and interesting than all these other political facts, which, by the way, bore me to death.

Our music was very successive in Arab countries, though I've heard that in some places prohibitions were put on young people who were listening to us. The Arab scales and instruments, but not only, have helped us find a path into the hearts of many listeners in Arab countries. This fact amazes me, I am thrilled each time I think of it or hear from a new fan coming from these countries. I think that much courage is needed from their side, and also from ours, and that we all make living examples of how adult people should behave, live and think."

10) Could you please explain a bit about the concept of "Mabool"? How did you come up with that idea?

""Mabool" is a "concept album", and that means that the whole album, from its beginning until its ending, tells one story, and that each song is another part of this story. "Mabool" (the word's meaning is: "The Flood"), tells the story of a flood, which is about to come and destroy the Orphaned Land , much like the biblical flood, but not quite the same. The flood in our story is foreseen by 3 people that are actually one soul that has been divided into three different pieces. Every character has inherited different qualities and represents a different religion from the 3 major religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism).

The flood is about to be unleashed by the spirit who created all beings, as a punishment to humankind for corrupting the land and for their bad deeds. The 3 heroes wish to save the earth from its corruption, and they try to talk some sense into people. Eventually an ark is being built, in order to survive this divine wrath that is about to be unleashed."

11) The story ends with the mission failing - however, the last song is called "Rainbow (the resurrection)", which leaves a bit of hope and promise for the future. Do you honestly believe there's hope for the different religions and cultures to unite and live in peace one day? Is there any hope at the end of the rainbow for us all?

"I am absolutely positive that hope exists for all of us; I think that, in some parts, we are already doing a good job at it. The "optimistic" ending of the album has come only after the mighty flood had destroyed the earth, but I don't think that we all have to reach that point in order to have a candle lit in our hearts, which will remind us that all in all we are all equals and do wish for the same things, in the bottom line. I think that many of us already comprehend this, and when people like these are around there is definitely room for hope, and a lot of it, I am sure."

12) I'm sure that the concept you've created here would be perfect for a book or even a movie ... is this something you will also integrate in your live shows? I could easily imagine a very theatrical show with actors and beautiful light-settings :-)

"Well, it could be a nice idea to integrate a theatrical part in our live shows, even though playing and kicking ass is really more our field :-). This is something that has to be well thought of, and if it is done it has to be done the right way, well organized and all. Right now in our upcoming shows there will be nothing of that kind, "only" 100% pure music. Maybe in the future we will think more into direction like this, it could be nice , we have in mind for a while now, to make an animation movie about the flood, time will tell... "

13) You've played live a lot in your own region - but will we ever get to experience Orphaned Land here in Denmark for example?

"I think that after the album is released (23rd of February) the picture will become clearer, in everything regarding where and when we will perform. Let's just wait until things are a little bit clearer, and than, when and if, Denmark will sure be a place where we would very much like to visit play, we will be honoured."

14) Are we going to wait another 8 years till the next album by Orphaned Land or do you already have plans for the future?

"Right now all the energies are put into the present, and it's too early to speak of new albums when the current one isn't formally released yet. Let's see how things work for us, how the crowd reacts to this album. When the time comes to speak of a new album we will start working on it immediately with full energies, and we will try not to let anybody down by waiting another 8 years, we promise."

15) Could you please tell me your 5 favorite albums of all time, and also tell me about 5 new bands from your region that you think we'll be hearing more about soon?

"My own 5 favourite albums of all times are: Pink Floyd - it's hard to pick one, but I'll go with "The Wall", Dead can Dance - Into the Labyrinth, At the Gates - The Red In the Sky is Ours, Metallica - And Justice for All..., Dream Theatre (also hard to pick only 1, but I have to, don't I?)- Metropolis Part II - Scenes from a memory.

5 bands from our region that I think you'll be hearing more about: Eternal Gray, Distorted, Betzefer, Salem (If you have heard about them already, you are going to hear about them MORE in the future for sure...), Arallu."

16) Please finish this interview with whatever you'd like to say, that I didn't ask you about ...

"Well, you have covered about everything with the questions, nothing in particular that is that worth mentioning. Only one last thing: a warm regard to all our listeners, and to all the people that believed in us and supported us through the years, you are the true "Orphaned Land", and you are in our hearts always. The storm still rages inside..."