Orphaned Land "The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR"

The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR is the fourth full-length studio album by the Israeli metal band Orphaned Land. The album was released on January 25, 2010, after many delays. ORwarriOR means "light warrior" or "warrior of light", representing a conceptual hero of the battle of light versus darkness. The Never Ending Way of ORWarriOR is Orphaned Land's second concept album. The album was mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree. It is the last album to feature guitarist Matti Svatizky who left the band in 2012.

By August 24, 2009 ORwarriOR's final mixes were almost ready. Several songs from the new material were performed live at Brutal Assault festival (June 8, 2009, Czech Republic). The album also includes a "follow-up" to a track previously released on "El Norra Alila: Deluxe edition" (2006) "Disciples of the Sacred Oath" - "Disciples of the Sacred Oath II."

The album contains 15 songs that add up to approximately 79 minutes. The album's artwork contains no digitally manipulated images; instead, it contains customized calligraphy in both Arabic and Hebrew. On ORwarriOR, Kobi Farhi sings in English, Hebrew and Arabic. The album was released along with a DVD.

On September 7, 2009 Orphaned Land's official website published a short teaser of the album's introductory piece.

The album was preceded by release of the "Sapari" single. "Sapari" is a Yemenite folk song arranged by Orphaned Land. Some samples of this song are available on YouTube: an acoustic version by Orphaned Land's female "Yemenite" singer Shlomit Levi (part of Shlomit's live acoustic sample), a live version which Orphaned Land performed in Tel-Aviv in late 2008, and a rendition of the song by Dror, a Middle Eastern singer promoting peace between Jews and Arabs.

After the release of "Sapari", a 2:40 cut of the song "Vayehi Or" was released through the band's Myspace page. Shortly after, the time listing was revealed. On January 5, 2010 the song "Disciples of the Sacred Oath II" became available for streaming through the band's Myspace page.

There are numerous packages of the album. Along with the original and limited editions, the album is sold along with an Orphaned Land T-shirt or along with postcards, posters, magnets, 28-page Mediabook or a special "Disciples Package" that includes collectible items along with a brand new "Disciples t-shirt". They are found on the different websites that sell Orphaned Land merchandise, such as the official website, the official fanclub (Orphaned Disciples), etc.

During February 2010, the official music video of "Sapari" was released to the public. Within the first week of being released in the United States, this album sold 600 copies and reached 80th place on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. In early 2011, the album was rated the Metal Storm #1 progressive metal album for the year 2010.

Track listing

Part I: Godfrey's Cordial – An ORphan's Life

1. "Sapari" – 4:04
2. "From Broken Vessels" – 7:36
3. "Bereft in the Abyss" – 2:45
4. "The Path (Part 1) – Treading Through Darkness" – 7:27
5. "The Path (Part 2) – The Pilgrimage to Or Shalem" – 7:45
6. "Olat Ha'tamid" – 2:38

Part II: Lips Acquire Stains – The WarriOR Awakens

1. "The Warrior" – 7:11
2. "His Leaf Shall Not Wither" – 2:31
3. "Disciples of the Sacred Oath II" – 8:31
4. "New Jerusalem" – 6:59
5. "Vayehi Or" – 2:40
6. "M i ?" – 3:27

Part III: Barakah – Enlightening the Cimmerian

1. "Barakah" – 4:13
2. "Codeword: Uprising" – 5:25
3. "In Thy Never Ending Way" – 5:09

DVD bonus track

1. "Estarabim" (Erkin Koray Cover) – 5:13

Tour Edition bonus tracks

1. "Estarabim" (Edit; Erkin Koray Cover) – 4:40
2. "Above You All" - 4:53
3. "Pits of Despair" - 4:19
4. "Sapari" Instrumental - 3:45
5. "Brefet" Instrumental - 2:50

Officially made available for free download exclusively for Arabic-speaking countries.

A video has been made for "Sapari".

The album is divided into three parts:

Part I: Godfrey's Cordial - An ORphan's Life (tracks 1-6)

Part II: Lips Acquire Stains - The WarriOR Awakens (tracks 7-12)

Part III: Barakah - Enlightening The Cimmerian (tracks 13-15)

16-page booklet.

Sticker on jewelcase reads:

"ORPHANED

LAND

NEW ALBUM

The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR

Mixed by

STEVEN WILSON

[Porcupine Tree] "

Along with the original and limited editions, the album is sold along with an Orphaned Land t-shirt or along with postcards, posters, magnets, 28-page Mediabook or a special "Disciples Package" that includes collectible items along with a brand new "Disciples t-shirt".

2-LP version released in May 2011 with gatefold cover and printed innersleeves (available in black, gold, sand-coloured or ruby vinyl).

Recording information:

Recorded at Bardo Studios, Tel-Aviv, Israel.