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These are Orphaned Land's official accounts, with the latest from each
Posts, videos and songs straight from Orphaned Land's own pages, as they publish them.
- Instagram@orphaned_land_official
- YouTubeOfficial page
- FacebookOfficial page
- X@OrphanedLand
- SpotifyOfficial page
- Apple MusicOfficial page
Orphaned Land began with two teenagers in Bat Yam playing death metal in 1991
Orphaned Land is an Israeli metal band, formed in 1991 by Kobi Farhi and Uri Zelcha under the name Resurrection, and known as a pioneer of oriental metal. Their music joins metal with Middle Eastern and North African traditions, including Mizrahi, North African Jewish and Arabic music.
Their first albums, Sahara (1994) and El Norra Alila (1996), came out on the French label Holy Records. Mabool followed in 2004 on Century Media, and The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR (2010) was produced by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree. In May 2010 they opened for Metallica in Israel.
Metal Hammer named them Global Metal Band of the Year for 2014, and their video for Like Orpheus won Video of the Year at the 2018 Progressive Music Awards in London. In 2021 they marked thirty years with a concert at Tel Aviv's Heichal HaTarbut, with a 45-piece orchestra and the Hellscore choir.
Formed
1991, as Resurrection Wikipedia
Style
Oriental metal and progressive metal Wikidata
Studio albums
6, the latest Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs (2018) Wikipedia
Label
Century Media Records Wikidata
Founders still in the band
Kobi Farhi (vocals) and Uri Zelcha (bass) Wikipedia
The name
From the words of a Yehuda Poliker song Hebrew Wikipedia
- Kobi FarhiLead vocals
- Uri ZelchaBass
- Chen BalbusGuitars, keyboards and backing vocals
- Matan ShmuelyDrums
- Idan AmsalemGuitars and bouzouki
Orphaned Land went from a 1991 death metal band to a thirtieth-anniversary night at Heichal HaTarbut
1991
Kobi Farhi and Uri Zelcha, both about 16, formed the death metal band Resurrection. Hebrew Wikipedia
1994
Released their first album, Sahara, on the French label Holy Records. Hebrew Wikipedia
1996
On El Norra Alila they brought the Middle Eastern side of their sound further forward. Wikipedia
2004
Mabool, a concept album, came out eight years after El Norra Alila, on Century Media. Hebrew Wikipedia
2010
The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR came out in January, produced and mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree. Wikipedia
2010
Opened for Metallica in Israel on 22 May, then played Wacken Open Air and other summer festivals in Europe. Wikipedia
2014
Won Metal Hammer's award for Global Metal Band of the Year. Wikipedia
2018
Released Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs in January, and in September their video for Like Orpheus won Video of the Year at the Progressive Music Awards in London. Wikipedia
2021
Marked thirty years with a concert at Heichal HaTarbut in Tel Aviv, the first Israeli metal band to play there, with a 45-piece orchestra and the Hellscore choir. Wikipedia
2023
Released that concert as a live album, A Heaven You May Create, on 1 December. Wikipedia
These are Orphaned Land's best-known albums and songs
A Heaven You May Create (live)
Album · 2023 · Wikipedia
Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs
Album · 2018 · Wikipedia
Like Orpheus (with Hansi Kürsch)
Song · 2017 · Wikipedia
All Is One
Album · 2013 · Wikipedia
The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR
Album · 2010 · Wikipedia
Mabool
Album · 2004 · Wikipedia
El Norra Alila
Album · 1996 · Wikipedia
Sahara
Album · 1994 · Wikipedia
You can watch Orphaned Land on the band's own YouTube channel
2025
2025
2025
These are the questions people ask about Orphaned Land
Where does Orphaned Land announce new shows?
New dates are announced first on Orphaned Land's official pages: Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Israel.com does not list these shows yet.
What is Orphaned Land's Instagram?
Orphaned Land's official Instagram account is @orphaned_land_official. The latest posts from it are on this page.
Where can I listen to Orphaned Land's songs?
Orphaned Land's songs are on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, on the official artist pages linked here.
Who are the members of Orphaned Land?
Kobi Farhi (lead vocals), Uri Zelcha (bass), Chen Balbus (guitars and keyboards), Matan Shmuely (drums) and Idan Amsalem (guitars and bouzouki).
What is oriental metal?
The name Orphaned Land gave their style: metal combined with Middle Eastern and North African musical traditions, including Mizrahi, North African Jewish and Arabic music.
Where does the name Orphaned Land come from?
Uri Zelcha took the words "orphaned land" from a Yehuda Poliker song. The band dropped its first name, Resurrection, after finding an American band with the same name.
Did Orphaned Land open for Metallica?
Yes, in Israel in May 2010. Metallica's lead guitarist, Kirk Hammett, recommended them himself.
Who produced The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR?
Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, who also played keyboards on the album.
More performers you can follow on Israel.com
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Sam Morril
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Noga Erez
Where these facts come from
- Wikipedia · read 15 October 2026
- Wikidata · read 15 October 2026
- Hebrew Wikipedia · read 15 October 2026