Orphaned Land
The Neverending Way Of OrWarrioR
Century Media

Orphaned Land are a band that deserve a lot more recognition and coverage than they currently get for the simple reason they have managed to do what has stumped the best diplomats and politicians for the last fifty years – unite Israelis and Arabs under one banner. But that does mean the pressure on this, their fourth album, is massive. The name ‘The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR’ is dreadful, conjuring up images of painful male falsettos and horrible power ballads; fortunately, opener ‘Sapari’ immediately dispels any doubts with its punchy riffs and dense orchestration. That’s not to say there isn’t a hint of theatrics in the dual vocal displays, but it is kept to a minimum, an unavoidable consequence of concept albums and complex arrangements.

Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame has been brought in to produce and mix this opus, and the results are clearly audible; not only are all his little tricks and treats present, but the clarity of the mix and fine balancing of the instruments is nigh-on perfect. This is no easy task with the addition of many ethnic instruments such as bouzouki, saz and shofar adding a wonderful new dimension to the music, playing off the guitars and keyboards beautifully.

Orphaned Land are however at their best when at their heaviest; ‘From Broken Vessels’ is a thundering piece of music that also incorporates the cultural elements to devastating effect. And the trilogy of ‘M I ?’, ‘Barakah’ and ‘Codeword: Uprising’ brings to mind all the great progressive rock and metal bands of yore, yet is uniquely Orphaned Land in the balance of the old world and new. They’ve been called the most important heavy metal band in the Middle East; now is it time to become simply the most important band? We can but hope.

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Review by Dominic Hemy