« All is One »
2013
The great thing about Metal music is the energy, the rebellion, its youthfulness and its ability to include unconventional influences, like folk, classical and/or sounds from foreign vistas, to brilliant effect. One such Metal act that has progressively pushed these “foreign” influences is Israel’s, Orphaned Land. From the past excellence of the Arabic Norra El Norra (from The Story of the Three Sons of Seven) to Sapari (from The Never Ending Way of OrwarriOR) Orphaned Land have recorded an album that brings these past ideas to full fruition and in the process have perhaps forgotten their metallic roots.
Five albums in since 1993, All is One finds Orphaned Land reaching even further into melodic territory. Perhaps their most accomplished and ambitious, the album’s “maturity” sees songs that are awash in rich orchestral flourishes, dramatic choirs and melodies that could soothe a baby to sleep. But is it Metal? Yes. Well…somewhat.
First song and title track, All is One showcases what is best about the Israelis, great songwriting endowed with extended guitar solos, drama and uplifting choruses. Middle Eastern guitar work helps build the tension in songs, The Simple Man and Through Fire and Water, a song that recalls the best Orphaned Land had to offer on their past albums: guitar riffs, female accompaniment and Kobi Farhi’s signature growl. Brother is a warming, string driven ballad that recalls the Biblical tale of Cain and Abel, while Shama’im continues the theme in yet another beautiful ballad sung in Hebrew and Arabic about the Great Flood (Old Testament, Genesis 7:10).
The problem with All is One lies in its penchant for too much maudlinism. The verses in most songs are semi-aggressive while the choruses don’t capitalize on the potential to be fierce! Too much orchestration drive the album replacing the guitars as the focal point in most songs, like The Simple Man and Let the Truce be Known. There simply isn’t enough “bite” or vitriol on All is One and while Farhi’s vocals are determined, his death vocals only appear once!
Simply put, as fantastic an album as Orphaned Land have released here, the “adult contemporary” aspects far outweigh the metallic venom they have been known for in the past. For fans of their earlier endeavors, All is One may disappoint, but for listeners open minded enough to appreciate this, along with their Barry Manilow records, this might be for you!
Standout Tracks: All is One, Through the Fire and Water, Shama’im
8.5/10
Chris
