Israeli and Palestinian bands unite in 'metal brotherhood

[G_j]

Source: guardian

Sunday 21 July 2013 11.32 EDT

Israeli and Palestinian bands unite in 'metal brotherhood'

Joint 18-gig tour by Orphaned Land and Khalas will take message of coexistence through rock'n'roll across Europe

They are united by facial hair, frayed jeans and a love of heavy metal – plus a belief that music is above politics, religion and conflict. Now the Israeli band Orphaned Land is joining forces with the Palestinian group Khalas to take a message of coexistence through rock'n'roll across Europe.

An 18-gig tour will see the heavy metal bands perform in six countries, including Britain, this autumn. The musicians will share both a stage and a tour bus for three weeks, proving in practice that their "metal brotherhood" overrides differences of religion and national identity.

At a concert to launch their European tour in Tel Aviv last week, Orphaned Land's lead singer, Kobi Farhi, and Khalas's lead guitarist, Abed Hathut, explained their mission.

"We can't change the world, but we can give an example of how coexistence is possible," said Farhi. "Sharing a stage and sharing a bus is stronger than a thousand words. We'll show how two people from different backgrounds who live in a conflict zone can perform together."




Read more: http://m.guardiannews.com/world/2013/jul/21/israeli-palestinian-bands-unite-tour

[cosmicone]

1. This is really cool. I hope it succeeds. n/t

[Posteritatis]

2. That's all kinds of awesome. (nt)

[starroute]

3. Here are some more links on Orphaned Land

I had the feeling I'd read about them before, so I googled and came up with some articles.

http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/Heavy-metal-unites-Jews-Muslims-across-Middle-East

Heavy metal is a growing genre in the Middle East and North Africa. Orphaned Land pioneered a style that fuses heavy metal with traditional Middle Eastern instruments, melodies and rhythms. In so doing, they managed to not only tap into a regional aesthetic sensibility, but also to demonstrate that the Jewish people have roots in the Middle East, and that engagement with globalization does not necessarily have to lead to the erasure of local culture.

SINGING IN English, Arabic and Hebrew, Orphaned Land has peppered their lyrics (which often deal with the struggle of light over darkness) with quotes from the Torah, New Testament and the Koran (the latter of which they received some criticism for). With a vision of ecumenical spirituality, Orphaned Land has also managed to connect with an ever-opening religious sensibility that is part and parcel of the modern Middle East.


http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/israeli-heavy-metal-band-members-apply-for-turkish-citizenship

Mr Farhi believes Orphaned Land's popularity in Turkey is partly the band's use of the oriental musical style of Arabesque in a heavy metal setting. But another reason is the band's music builds bridges, he said. The band also reinforces reconciliation by taking the stage dressed in traditional costumes worn by Muslims, Jews and Christians.

"We are trying to be above politics and to deal only with friendship and brotherhood between the nations," Mr Farhi said.

[Jamastiene]

4. More power to them.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

5. K&R. nt.

[tabasco]

6. Every little bit helps

The problem is generating more peace-lovers than haters.

[7962]

7. This same type thing happened during the Cold War too,

Russian bands and western bands performing together. Its a start. I noticed they played Tel Aviv; I wonder if they'd be able to play in a Palestinian area?

[MrSlayer]

8. Just another example of why Metal rules.

[pitbullgirl1965]

9. And I love your name Mr. Slayer!

I still can't believe Jeff Hanneman is dead.

[MrSlayer]

10. Thanks.

And yeah, I m still gutted over Jeff. It came out of nowhere. He was one of my biggest heroes from when I was a kid. Really sucks.

[Heywood J]

11. Both hated by the ultra-Orthodox? (NT)