Orphaned Land: Sahara

The year was 1994 and grunge rock was at the height of its powers. On the other side of the globe a then little known band from Israel released their debut album titled Sahara. Orphaned Land formed three years before and offered something quite different for metalheads. The band would go on to release some very well known albums like Mabool and the Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR but if you want to hear where it all began, Sahara should be your first destination.

The band’s early sound was heavier than it is today, a kind of death/progressive metal hybrid fused with ethnic folk elements, a very unique sound and style.

Perhaps less refined then latter records like All Is One (2013) and Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs (2018), the roots are there, the music is rawer and more direct but the ethnic elements make a statement in every track beginning with “The Sahara’s Storm�. Razor-like guitar riffs and Middle Eastern accents riddled with atmospheric moodiness makes this an intriguing journey. Intense vocals and riffs merge with mellow moodiness in the progressive “Blessed Be Thy Hate� and with “Ornaments Of Gold� the lyrics convey mournful loss while musically the band skillfully incorporate ethnic elements like oud into their unique brand of progressive metal. With the short “Aldiar Al Mukadisa (The Holy Land Of Israel)� the band’s ethnic slant comes to the fore with a wonderful folk melody accentuated with Arabic singing, oud and tablas. Acoustic and electric guitar are skillfully used in the blistering yet moody “Seasons Unite�, the leads vocals again displaying some riveting growls.

With eight tracks and roughly fifty-eight minutes of music there is plenty of space for each musician to shine, much to the benefit of the listener. Sahara shows where the band’s roots began and what the band would soon become a unique force in the progressive metal scene.

Highly recommended!

*This reissue is released on Punishment 18 Records*

Track Listing:
Part I - Sahara
1. The Sahara’s Storm (7:59)
2. Blessed Be Thy Hate (9:25)
3. Ornaments Of Gold (7:08)
4. Aldiar Al Mukadisa (2:57)
Part II - The Beloved’s Cry
5. Seasons Unite (8:30)
6. The Beloved’s Cry (4:32)
7. My Requiem (8:27)
8. Orphaned Land, The Storm Still Rages Inside… (9:09)

Added: August 17th 2026
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 12
Language: english

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