Orphaned Land is a doom/death band at its core, but they are highly influenced by the folk music and tradition of the Oriental Jews (Mizraḥim), making their sound much more progressive than typical doom/death bands. Their album Sahara (1994) was the first to include a combination of death metal and traditional oriental music. In their second album El Norra Alila (1996), Orphaned Land elaborated the combination of metal and oriental music, including the addition of song with traditional oriental Jewish piyyut and Arab melodies. This album conveyed a message of co-existence between Jews and Muslims. Their third album, Mabool (the Hebrew name for the Deluge, depicted in the Bible and Noah's story), 2004, was worked for seven years and takes the combination of doom/death metal, oriental music and biblical issues to a new level. The album tells the story of the seventh son of God (who was divided into three, each one symbolizing one monotheistic religion) which try to warn humanity from a coming flood (deluge) as punishment for their sins. Musically, the album contains oriental instruments, two choruses, traditional Yemenite chants sung by Shlomit Levi and quotes of Biblical verses from the story of the Deluge, read by Kobi Farhi, Orphaned Land's vocalist and one of its founders. The level of musical competency displayed in the heavy layering and orchestration combined with the more story-driven, conceptual nature of the album's lyrics as a whole lend a very strong progressive feel to the work.
Band Members:
Kobi Farhi − lead vocals, backing vocals, death growls, chants
Shlomit Levi - female vocals
Matan Shmuely - vocals, session drums
Matti Svatizky − rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar
Uri Zelcha − bass, fretless bass
Yatziv Caspi − drums, percussion
Idan Amsalem – guitars, bouzouki
Former Band Members:
Eran Asias − drums
Sami Bachar − drums
Avi Diamond − session drums
Itzik Levy − keyboards
Eden Rabin − keyboards, backing vocals
Yatziv Caspi - session drums
Avi Agababa - session drums
Yossi Sa'aron (Sassi) - guitars, oud, saz, bouzouki, chumbush, backing vocals
The Path Ahead
Orphaned Land Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am prepared to be the first to walk on shadowed stones
That none has dwelled before
The holy ones stand alert, they await if I might fall
They who pass judgement upon us all
Won't see your darkened face
Won't see your black embrace that makes my fire blaze
The path ahead, a neverending way
And all the words you said to me about the life
That could have been so pure like a knife made of gold
And I feel the tremors in my soul
That lead me now into a fall
Which seems like a neverending way
"The Path Ahead" by Orphaned Land speaks of the journey of life and the challenges one must face as they traverse uncharted territories. The song starts with the singer facing a road that nobody has traveled on before, and he is ready to be the first to walk on those shadowed stones. He is about to embark on a journey that will require him to be strong and courageous, for there are holy ones standing alert; waiting to judge him if he falls. The singer acknowledges that these holy ones judge us all, but he will not let their judgment stop him from following his path.
The second verse is about missed opportunities and how they can eat away at the soul. The singer speaks of the life that could have been pure, like a knife made of gold, but it was not. He feels the tremors in his soul, indicating that his heart is aching. However, the singer is not deterred by this fall; he knows that it is just another challenge to overcome on his path.
The chorus repeats the idea that the path ahead is long and never-ending; however, it is a path that the singer will continue to walk.
The song speaks to the human experience of embarking on a new journey, be it personal or professional. It acknowledges that judgment may come from those who may not understand or support the journey, but it is crucial to stay focused and true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Here lies before me a road unwalked upon
I stand at the beginning of an unexplored path.
I am prepared to be the first to walk on shadowed stones
I am willing to bear the burden of pioneering this path, even if it is fraught with difficulties.
That none has dwelled before
This path has never been traveled by anyone else.
The holy ones stand alert, they await if I might fall
There are divine beings watching over me, ready to assist or interfere depending on my actions.
They who pass judgement upon us all
These divine beings are responsible for judging all human action.
Won't see your darkened face
The divine beings will not acknowledge or assist those who are evil or unworthy.
Won't see your black embrace that makes my fire blaze
Those who embrace darkness and malevolence will be discarded by the divine beings, allowing righteous passion to flourish instead.
The path ahead, a neverending way
This path is full of twists, turns, and challenges, and may continue indefinitely.
And all the words you said to me about the life
I remember your advice about how to live.
That could have been so pure like a knife made of gold
You spoke of a life full of purity and excellence, akin to an invaluable tool.
And I feel the tremors in my soul
I am conscious of ethical concerns that inform my behavior.
That lead me now into a fall
My ethical concerns have led me into a difficult situation.
Which seems like a neverending way
This difficult situation has caused an ongoing period of obstinacy and challenge.
Contributed by Kaylee C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.