Orphaned Land are seen by many as Israel’s premier metal outfit, and rightfully so. Albums like Mabool (2004) and The Never Ending Way Of ORWarriOR (2010) are mandatory purchases for any serious fan of forward thinking and adventurous metal. Especially the latter record established the band as a force to be reckoned with. Enter All Is One, Orphaned Land’s latest release.
The Never Ending Way Of OrWarriOR is arguably the band’s most complex and elaborate release to date. Long and drawn-out compositions full of progressive twists and turns dominate the album. But All Is One is quite a different animal. Orphaned Land’s trademark lush Asian orchestration and atmosphere are still very much intact. However, most of the songs are shorter and more compact, in very much the same way Mastodon simplified and refined their musical formula on The Hunter. Vocalist Kobi Farhi mostly utilises his clean singing voice. Only ‘Fail’ contains some growls and screams.
I do of course miss the intricacy and complexity of the previous album. However, All Is One is a fantastic record in its own right. Tracks like ‘The Simple Man’ and ‘Brother’ are some of the finest songs the band has ever written; and ‘Freedom’, ‘Let The Truce Be Known’ and ‘Children’ still possess a very strong progressive undercurrent. All Is One is a very elegant album, thanks to the wonderfully balanced song material, the graceful arrangements and the tasteful guitar work by Yosi Sassi. This album really takes its listener through the sand, the ruins and the blood-stained history of the Holy Land.
The album is produced by the band and Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Paradise Lost), giving All Is One its crisp yet heavy sound.
This is very different record compared to its illustrious predecessor, but it still managed to captivate my imagination. It’s a grower, so it will take several sessions before the record really sets in. However, once All Is One gets under your skin you’ll realise you’re in for the musical trip of a lifetime. Heartily recommended.
9/10
Raymond Westland