Khalas
Palestinian-Israeli rock band
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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 |
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
Discography
- Ma Adesh Feeha (We've Had It) (2003)
- Arabic Rock Orchestra (2013)
- The Peace Series Vol. 1 (2021, split EP with Orphaned Land)
