Orphaned Land are a progressive metal group from Petah Tikva, Israel, formed in 1991 and active since then. Their music combines death metal and doom-death with oriental elements, folk material and traditional Jewish music, especially the traditions of Mizrahi Jews. Their sound is also associated with folk metal, melodic death metal and oriental metal.

Early albums and style

The group’s first album, Sahara, appears in 1994 and is described as the first to bring together death metal and traditional oriental music. On El Norra Alila in 1996, they expand that approach with oriental metal, including traditional Jewish piyyut and Arab melodies. The album also carries a message of coexistence between Jews and Muslims.

Mabool, released in 2004, is built around biblical themes and a conceptual narrative about a coming flood. It takes years to complete and combines doom/death metal, oriental music and layered orchestration. The record includes oriental instruments, two choruses, Yemenite chants sung by Shlomit Levi, and biblical verses read by Kobi Farhi.

Members and line-up

Kobi Farhi is the vocalist and one of the founders. Other members named across the group’s history include Matti Svatizky on guitars, Uri Zelcha on bass, Matan Shmuely on vocals and session drums, and Idan Amsalem on guitars and bouzouki. Former members listed include Eran Asias, Sami Bachar, Avi Diamond, Itzik Levy, Eden Rabin, Yossi Sassi and Yatziv Caspi. The verified membership list also includes Chen Balbus, Avi Diamond, עידן אמסלם, and other current and former players associated with the band.

Musical identity

Orphaned Land develop a style rooted in doom/death metal but shaped by folk traditions and oriental instrumentation. Their work is marked by the use of traditional melodies, religious and biblical references, and the blending of metal with music from the Middle East. This gives the group a strongly progressive character beyond standard doom/death metal.