ORPHANED LAND's Appearance At SONISPHERE Festival In Istanbul Cancelled

Israeli progressive folk metal masters ORPHANED LAND have released the following statement:

"Two weeks ago, we were the happiest band on earth when we were announced to Sonisphere Istanbul, we all waited for this moment for so long. Then, a political fucked up crisis started between our countries and a whole chaos started to go on and unfortunately still goes on 'till that moments.

"After a few days of rumors, we were sadly announced today that the security company who is responsible of the festival cannot guarantee our safety during the fest and therefore our show had to be delayed from this year…

"You have to know that, we, ORPHANED LAND, we felt safe and we 100% wanted to come despite all, to have that show for the purpose of peace, friendship and brotherhood of our nations. The facts are that this is a big festival, with many people and many bands, and the security company didn't want to risk all of that just because of us. We couldn't agree with it, but we fully understand it and respect it. Yet we and Purple Productions are very sad. It is such a strange feeling not to be able to play in Turkey, this is our second home!

"Due to the situation that was created, our show moved to Sonisphere Romania.

"We promise you all that we will make the maximum efforts to schedule new dates in Turkey very soon. We personally feel safe; we don't need any kind of security, surrounded by all of you makes us safe, but this is just us.

"We wish to thank our amazing fans who wrote 'Serefe' in our Facebook fan page (there were hundreds of you!!).

"To all the people that opened support groups and even the ones that just expressed their opinion; you all are the greatest gift that a band could get. Please don't be sad about this cancellation, all delays are for the good, one day, politicians will learn and take an example from you and us, Inshallah.

"Before we leave please remember this, our orphaned brothers: our countries flags may have different signs and colors but deep in our hearts shines the same flag — the flag of hope, friendship, brotherhood, don't ever forget it — it is our duty as disciples of the sacred oath.

"Sherefe and mujuck to all of you."

French webzine Inwë[b]zine conducted an interview with ORPHANED LAND members Kobi Farhi (vocals) and Yossi Sa'aron (Sassi) (guitar) on May 9, 2010 in Lyon, France during the band's European tour. You can now watch the chat below.

On May 22, ORPHANED LAND performed at the Ramat Gan stadium in Tel Aviv as the support act for METALLICA.

ORPHANED LAND's new album, "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. Mixed by Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE, OPETH),who is also responsible for several keyboard parts on the new CD, the effort — which was made available in the U.S. on February 9 via Century Media Records — is a sophisticated concept album which takes ORPHANED LAND's unique brand of exotic, heavy music to soaring new heights in terms of complexity and catchiness.

The CD's artwork was created by Zen Two and Native.