ORPHANED LAND: 'Brother' Video Released

"Brother", the new video from Israeli progressive folk metal masters ORPHANED LAND, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's sixth full-length album, "All Is One", which will be released in North America on June 25 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records. The cover artwork for the follow-up to 2010's "The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" was created by the French artist Metastazis (PARADISE LOST, AS I LAY DYING, SONNE ADAM, WATAIN) by perfectly incorporating the three biggest religious symbols into one piece of art.

Commented ORPHANED LAND singer Kobi Farhi: "This is a song that Itshak is singing to his brother Ishmael. According to the bible, they were both the sons of Abraham from two different mothers. Today, Itshak is known as the father of the Israeli nation while Ishmael is known as the father of the Arab nation. Historically, that means of course that it's a historical fact that Israelis and Arabs are brothers and we believe that the deepest source for our actual conflict still lies there, between the two brothers.

"Both sides today are so focused on being right in the conflict and fill themselves with hate. Every side is so busy with being the victim, and today it doesn't make sense to either one of the sides that we are historically brothers. People forgot it, forgot that our language is alike, as well as our names and history.

"An interesting thing is that in the Jewish bible, there is a story where Abraham took Itshak to the mountain to sacrifice him to God. Muslims have the same exact story, but in their version it was Ishmael on the mountain. Everyone shapes history according to his own version, and we have conflicts about even the oldest stories, just as if we were two kids in a fight. And therefore, there is a line in the song that says: 'The lord blessed us both, but we still fight and claim, that kid on the mountain — what was his name'.

"'Brother' is a love song for a forgotten beloved brother who turned into a blood enemy. And before people go and start with politic comments, this has nothing to do with politics, or being left or right wing, Jew, Muslim or anything else. We are not taking any sides as musicians, we just tell a story, and we decided to be the first grown-up brother in this story and ask: 'Forgive me, brother'. Mainly because being mature and grown-up sometimes means that you have to say you're sorry, even if it's not only your fault.

"We dedicate this song with much love, hope and belief to our beloved Israeli and Arab brothers."

ORPHANED LAND's forthcoming effort will be the band's first to feature guitarist Chen Balbus following the departure of Matty Svatizky in June 2012 due to "personal" and "professional" issues.

"All Is One" was mixed by Jens Bogren (JAMES LABRIE, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, OPETH) and was recorded in three different countries: Israel, Turkey and Sweden. Ironically, these countries are Jewish, Muslim and Christian, respectively, which strengthens the ORPHANED LAND message of unity through music. Over 40 musicians were used to flesh out the sound of "All Is One", including 25 choir singers and eight classical violin, viola and cello players from Turkey.

"All Is One" will be made available as a limited deluxe book edition, including three bonus songs and a bonus DVD, as well as limited double gatefold LP, including the three bonus songs and in different vinyl colors. A standard jewelcase CD format and digital download will also be available.

From September to November, ORPHANED LAND will play stages all over Europe in support of "All Is One" — but before heading out on this headlining tour, ORPHANED LAND will play a few festivals and shows in South America and Europe.

"The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 80 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" was released in Europe on January 25, 2010.

ORPHANED LAND's concert DVD, "The Road To OR-Shalem", was released in October 2011 in Europe and November 2011 in the U.S. via Century Media Records.

"Brother" video:

"Our Own Messiah" lyric video: