Kobi Farhi
Kobi Farhi (Born September 8, 1975) is an Israeli musician, lead singer and founder of Oriental Metal pioneering band, ‘Orphaned Land’.
Kobi Farhi | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | September 8, 1975 Jaffa Israel |
| Genres | Metal, Oriental Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Rock |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Labels | Century Media Records |
| Website | Orphaned Land Official web site |
Biography
Farhi was born in Jaffa, the southern, oldest part of Tel Aviv - Jaffa, an ancient port city in Israel. Modern Jaffa has a heterogeneous population of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. At a young age Farhi discovered oriental and world music through his family, which mixed with his rebellious love for Heavy metal music. He created ‘Orphaned Land’[1] in 1991 with his then High School friends. Since then, Farhi dedicated his life to the band, writing and singing songs. His main mission is to bring people and hearts togethers,[2] from all countries and sectors of "the bleeding middle east".[3]
Apart from ‘Orphaned Land’, Farhi founded a record label called ‘MDMA’, which distributed heavy metal and electronic music records to stores in Israel. In 2001 he left the Label, as Orphaned Land was growing bigger, playing its first show overseas, in Turkey. Until now, the band has played more than 45 countries worldwide,[4] earning the title ‘Oriental Metal Pioneers’.[5] Today, Farhi is considered one of the most beloved Israeli artists in Arab countries.[6]
Farhi received three honorary awards for peace. From the Istanbul Commerce University, from the Mayor of Çankaya in Ankara, Turkey, and from the Turkish government’s official advisor, after a show the band played in the country, donating all incomes for the people affected by the 2001 earthquake in Van.[7] In 2014, Farhi won the 'Global Metal Award' for Orphaned Land, given by Metal Hammer Magazine at the Golden Gods awards. [8]
After being asked by couples to conduct their wedding ceremony, Farhi sometimes takes the role of an official wedding Officiant.
Besides his work with ‘Orphaned Land’, Farhi functioned as a musical editor at ‘Century Media Records’, the label where Orphaned Land is signed, editing a compilation titled 'Oriental Metal'. He also made guest vocal appearances on albums of similar bands like ‘Arkan’ (France), ‘Amaseffer’ (Israel), Magor (Israel), Subterranean Masquerade, Melted Space (France), musician Enzo Donnarumma (Italy) and singer Moran Magal (Israel). Along with 'Orphaned Land', Farhi collaborated with Steven Wilson, Erkin Koray and Yehuda Poliker. Farhi participated in the highly acclaimed 'Rise Up (Colors of Peace)' musical project. He also recorded a cover of 'Jeremy' by 'Pearl Jam' with fellow musicians, as a part of a campaign to get the band to perform in Israel.[9]
Discography (With Orphaned Land)
1. Sahara (1994)
2. El Norra Alila (1996)
3. Mabool (2004)
4. The Never Ending Way of ORWarriOR (2010)
6. All Is One (2013)
7. KNA'AN (Orphaned Land side project with Amaseffer, 2016)
References
- ^ A heavy metal, Middle Eastern band of brothers, by Debra Kamin (The Times Of Israel, July 2013)
- ^ Orphaned Land: Bitter but hopeful in Gaza warzone by Martin Kielty (Team Rock, Aug 2014)
- ^ Israeli Rock Music’s Spiritual New Sound, By Yossi Klein Halevi (The Wall Street Journal, June 2015)
- ^ Israeli And Palestinian Metal Bands Join Forces For European Tour (Blabbermouth, July 2013)
- ^ LEBANON, ISRAEL: Belly dancer and metal band rock the boat, By Alexandra Sandels (LA Times, July 2011)
- ^ In-depth Interview With Orphaned Land Vocalist Kobi Farhi, By Andrew Bansal (Metal Assault, June 2013)
- ^ The Stories of Orphaned Land (Radio Metal, September 2013)
- ^ Orphaned Land Win Metal Hammer Golden Gods Global Metal Award (Team Rock, June 2011)
- ^ Orphaned Land interview with Kobi Farhi by Alkis Korovesis (ROCKING.gr, June 2013)
See also
Orphaned Land on Wikipedia
Orphaned Land, Official Website
Orphaned Land on Facebook
Orphaned Land on Century Media Records