PAIN OF SALVATION Frontman Featured On EPHRAT Debut

Israeli progressive rock/metal band EPHRAT will release its debut album, "No One's Words", on August 25 via Inside Out Music.

Mastermind, guitarist, flutist, keyboardist and sole composer of the quartet is Omer Ephrat, who describes his creative visions as follows: "It's sophisticated progressive music that's driven by a rock'n'roll feel. But I really think that my music sometimes slips from those definitions and creates a new entity. The main influences range from the progressive rock groups of the Seventies, such as YES, RUSH, PINK FLOYD, DEEP PURPLE and KING CRIMSON to newer metal bands like METALLICA, MEGADETH, PORCUPINE TREE, DREAM THEATER and many more." In addition, there are cross-references to the band's native country. "The Mediterranean and ethnic characters that this country holds are alive and well in my music, whether I like it or not," says Omer Ephrat. "I think the contrast of a European country mixed with an ethnic one — that's the way I see Israel — is exactly what's happening on this album. It's not a bad thing, it's one of the things that make the music original and special."

Alongside Omer Ephrat, the band consists of Gili Rosenberg, vocalist Lior Seker and drummer Tomer Z, whom experts of the genre know from his collaboration with BLACKFIELD. Then there are two high-carat guests who add additional specks of colour to this diverse album. The most renowned of them is Daniel Gildenlöw, boss and chief visionary of Swedish elite prog rock act PAIN OF SALVATION, who recorded the lead vocals of the almost 10-minute "The Sum Of Damage Done". "Before the first note was composed for this album, I knew I wanted Daniel to be on it," Omer Ephrat confesses. "Apart from being a very talented musician and gifted vocalist, I think that he's something very unique in the progressive genre and to me symbolizes the endless possibilities of the progressive genre to evolve. It was great working with him, and I think he adds a new aspect to the album. He did a great job writing the lyrics for his song, and of course recording the vocals."

By no means less impressive is Petronella Nettermalm's melancholy voice on "Haze", which lends an interesting BJÖRK/PORTISHEAD-esque flair to the track: "This match was initially suggested by Steven Wilson, who suggested that I should listen to her band PAATOS and consider adding her to the project. So I did, and it was love at first listen. She has a unique voice and feel that I just had to have on this album. After hearing her voice, I wrote 'Haze' in less than five minutes, inspired by the collaboration that could be. Our collaboration was so successful that Petronella added her voice to a second song, 'Real', along with the main vocalist, Lior Seker."

The cherry on this cake consisting of haunting tracks is the warm, transparent mix courtesy of Steven Wilson, whom Omer Ephrat contacted for the first time by e-mail two years ago. "Not long after, he got back to me and was very excited about what he had heard, wanting to meet me in Tel-Aviv. Steven offered to mix and master the album. His mix makes the album what it is. He understands music and knows how to handle it to get it where it belongs."

01. The Show
02. Haze
03. Better Than Anything
04. Blocked
05. The Sum Of Damage Done
06. Real