Khalas
Khalas خلص | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Akka, Israel |
| Genres | Folk metal |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Members | Riyad Sliman Abed Hathout Fadel Qandil Dani Rooster |
| Past members | Bassam Beromi Tarek Sha'aban |
Khalas (Arabic: خلص), also known as Arabic Rock Orchestra,[1][2] are a Palestinian heavy metal band based in Israel and formed in 1998.[1] The name of the band means "enough" in Arabic.[3]
In 2013, they embarked on a tour across Europe along with Israeli band Orphaned Land,[2][4] an event which brought coverage to the band in Western media, in outlets such as The Guardian[5] and CNN.[6] Khalas guitarist Abed Hathout and Oprhaned Land vocalist Kobi Farhi met around 10 years before the tour in a radio station.[2]
In the following year, both bands shared the Metal Hammer Global Metal Band of the Year award, after a request by Orphaned Land, which had been chosen by the readers for the award.[7] The groups received the honor in IndigO2 amidst tensions around the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers.[7]
In response to criticism that the bands' partnership would be a validation of the Israeli occupation of Palestine or of Palestinian terrorism, both groups stated that their message of understanding "is a sign to everyone that peace is possible".[8] Hathout also responded to criticism that the band doesn't write politically charged songs, focusing instead on less serious topics, by claiming that "as a Palestinian, I have the right to write songs about beer, about ladies throwing bras at us on stage, and it annoys me because when I answer that, a lot of people say, now you are an Israeli. Well fuck that - if I don't talk about the occupation, I am an Israeli, suddenly".[1]
Members
[edit]Current members
[edit]Former members
[edit]- Bassam Beromi
- Tarek Sha'aban
Discography
[edit]- Ma Adesh Feeha (We've Had It) (2003)
- Arabic Rock Orchestra (2013)
- The Peace Series Vol. 1 (2021, split EP with Orphaned Land)
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Smallman, Etan (February 10, 2014). "Israeli and Palestinian heavy metal bands head-banging for peace". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2026-04-27. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- 1 2 3 Kamin, Debra (July 26, 2013). "A heavy metal, Middle Eastern band of brothers". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ↑ Earache, Asher. Interview with Bassam Beromi, Abed Hathout and Fadel Kandil of Khalas. HardAndHeavy.net, archived by Archive.org
- ↑ Arad, Dafna (July 23, 2013). "Moshing for peace: Israeli, Palestinian metal bands to share stage on European tour". Haaretz. Archived from the original on May 20, 2026. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ↑ Sherwood, Harriet (July 21, 2013). "Israeli and Palestinian bands unite in 'metal brotherhood'". The Guardian. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ↑ Mackay, Mairi (August 12, 2013). "Rock the conflict: Jewish and Palestinian metal bands tour for peace". CNN. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- 1 2 Ritchie, Meabh (June 16, 2014). "Make metal, not war: 'We are the ambassadors of peace'". Channel 4 News. Archived from the original on 2014-06-17. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ↑ Suchet, Richard (17 November 2013). "Arab-Israeli Metal Bands On Tour Together". Sky News. Comcast. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Khalas: On Creating Heavy Metal Music in Arabic". Musiqa Mustaqilla (Arabic for "independent music" or "self-contained music"). September 21, 2016.
- ↑ "Kahlas - Bios". Archived from the original on 2009-03-03.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
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