THE ROAD TO OR-SHALEM (DVD)

With this video, shot for their 20th anniversary, Orphaned Land give us 2 hours of great prog / folk metal. The performance is astounding, as well as the perfect sound which exalts the different instruments and the great mix of technique and taste of these very special musicians.

The concert is mostly built upon the songs from the last album The neverending way of OR-warriOR, and exceptionally performed. Great stage stance by all the band, with the singer Kobi Farhi able to guide the crowd into a happy journey. Excellent guitar axe performances by Yossi Sassi and Matti Svatitzki who provide beautiful solos and licks, and Uri Zelha, with a very death metal attitude, banging on the front stage. Matan Shmuely plays a very dynamic show, with powerful and brilliant drumming.

The band is helped on stage by classical instruments and the great female voice of Shlomit Levi, who support the band in the best folk metal songs which give the special touch to the performance: Sapari cannot get out of my head now, and the final properly accorded to Norra el Norra, the hymn of the Metal Synagogue, is just the perfect "summa" of the true nature of Orphaned Land.

But even the heaviest songs are excellent: Disciples of the sacred Oath and From broken vessels - to name just two - are very "proggy" in their eclectic riffing and various powerful atmosphear. Seriously, Orphaned Land are for me now what Dark Tranquillity were in the 90s, or Opeth in the 2000s. A death metal band with high technical skills, providing a very deep and emotional music, original and with great impact on all the emotions of the listener.

3 special guests, among whom the prog fans will expecially appreciate Steven Wilson, who performs a band classic - "The beloved's cry" - with a funny touch.

A great live show capturing the essence of one of the most interesting band in the prog metal world. We just hope that their album production will increase in the future!