| Origin | Akka, Israel |
|---|---|
| Genre | Folk metal |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Current 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
Current members
- Riyad Sliman – vocals[9]
- Abed Hathout – guitar[9]
- Dani Rooster – bass[10]
- Fadel Qandil – percussions[9]
Former members
- Bassam Beromi
- Tarek Sha'aban
Discography
- Ma Adesh Feeha (We've Had It) (2003)
- Arabic Rock Orchestra (2013)
- The Peace Series Vol. 1 (2021, split EP with Orphaned Land)
References
- ^ Smallman, Etan (February 10, 2014). "Israeli and Palestinian heavy metal bands head-banging for peace". The Independent. Archived 2026-04-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ^ Kamin, Debra (July 26, 2013). "A heavy metal, Middle Eastern band of brothers". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Archived December 2, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. 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 May 20, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. 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.
- ^ Ritchie, Meabh (June 16, 2014). "Make metal, not war: ‘We are the ambassadors of peace’". Channel 4 News. Archived 2014-06-17 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ^ Suchet, Richard (17 November 2013). "Arab-Israeli Metal Bands On Tour Together". Sky News. Comcast. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ^ "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.