this image shamelessly pilfered from http://www.theaebyss.com

This interview is in anticipation of Samael’s appearance in Tel Aviv Wednesday, December 28. Thanks to the show’s producer Lior Kamali for hooking it up. For all information about ticket purchasing click here.

MI: What made you want to come to Israel?

V: We had a couple of requests in the past but only this time the offer and our schedule matched. It has something exotic to play places we’ve never been before so that make it more interesting and exciting at once. It will be the first time for all of us.

MI: Are you familiar with any Israeli metal?

V: I could only name Salem. Mass (bass) used to be in contact with them, they might still exchange mails from time to time as far as I know.

MI: Why did you choose the name Samael (it struck me as humorous considering it’s the name of the angel considered the mortal enemy of Israel).

V: It was love at first sight, without knowing everything about it back then. To me it was sounding dark and bright at the same time, in many ways premonitory to what this band would turn out to be.

MI: How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard you before?

V: I would invite them to check it and judge for themselves.

MI: What are your main musical influences?

V: I suppose it is fair to say “Metal” is the core of our music, the foundation on which we built all the rest.

MI: What are you mainly listening to right now?

V: Right now I’m listening to a percussion recording compiled under the name “Drums Of Africa”. I don’t have restriction when it come down to music, I like whatever fit to the moment.

MI: H.R. Giger is of my favorite artists. What makes you like him?

V: His work is obsessional. Ten years ago my room was filled with prints of his paintings. Nowadays my pictorial world isn’t confined in his but his art still have a special place in my life.

MI: How does the French/German thing work in Switzerland? Meaning, if someone is from an area that speaks French does he consider himself more French than German, or are both just Swiss with different languages, or what? It’s very confusing.

V: German is the most spoken language in Switzerland but we got four national languages, German, French, Italian and Romansh.

MI: What language do you mainly speak – what area do you come from?

V: We speak French. Makro comes from Lausanne, Mass, Xy and I live in the Alps.

MI: What influenced you to write songs called Inchallah and Oriental Dawn?

V: Who knows, for both songs I had the music from Xy first and that’s what lead me through the writing of the lyrics.

MI: I see you have a forum section on your website completely dedicated to politics and religion…what exactly is the religious philosophy of Samael as a band?

V: Forum on our internet website has been added to give a platform to our visitors to exchange views on the band as well as on different matters but we’re not directly involved in it. I don’t think I could summarise the band philosophy through a couple of lines but anything I write participated of a personal quest. Those really interested in going deeper in the subject can find out for themselves by cross-checking our lyrics.

Vote for who you want to see play Ozzfest this year right here– Israelis, yeh, I know most of us likely won’t make it there, but maybe we can give Betzefer and Orphaned Land a chance…

Man…technical difficulties really suck especially when they delay the sharing of hilarious interviews such as the one that transpired with Yidcore last week… but there may be hope… will keep you guys posted as when to the show will be up on www.israelnationalradio.com.

Orange Sky, who incidentally are considered official ambassadors for Trinidad and Tobago, boast quality rock music with a Caribbean lilt. Their release “Upstairs” opens with “It’s Over,” reminiscent of girl grunge rock popular on radio now. “Escape” is more indicative of why they were chosen to open for Yngwie Malmsteen on his recently completed American tour. Technically apt guitar chops are applied with original skill and uplifting rhythm. The jam at the end of this track is appreciable by any guitar aficionado – guitar snobs should be duly impressed. “Castaway” is a sweet ballad making an allegory between a love relationship and a ship at sea. “Alone” reeks of Pearl Jam but can’t be simply categorized as such. Their cover of Cat Stevens, the Muslim terrorist’s “Peace Train” is happy hippie reggae infiltrated by solid rock. “Real Love” is a great example of their trademark blend of such disparate musical styles with quintessential guitar skills.

Orange Sky have mastered the musically acrobatic feat of balancing the tightrope stretched far between metal and reggae with flying colors.

(No, that’s not a black joke).

matanroey2web, originally uploaded by Metal Israel.

From the official Betzefer newsletter…

* We got a lot of new shows confirmed for our headliner tour in Europe, so far we have some shows confirmed for Germany/Austria/France/UK/Switzerland and the Czech Republic, but we will add more countries and cities soon! Check the tour page on our website as we are adding dates every day.

* We will play a special show on Thursday, the 29th, which will also be our first full Israeli appearance since 3 months. Support will come from the mighty 7% Mind Usage and our punk rock friends from Useless ID will end this event.

This taken from their bulletin on Myspace…

“We are closing. Our landlord had neither the obligation nor the interest to give us a new lease when our old lease expired in August. Since then, we have been fighting a losing battle, trying to buy time, against our eviction.

Unless a miracle were to happen, or the landlord were to have a change of heart, we knew we were going to close. We just didn’t know when. Now we do.

An agreement has been reached… not to give us a new lease, but to give us time to find a new location.

CBGB is officially closing by October 2006. No postponements, no court dates, no appeals… that’s it.

We are using this time to try and find a new location in New York.

The rumors of us trying to open in Las Vegas and/or elsewhere are true… but not what you may think. We are staying in New York and we are looing for a space in downtown Manhattan. We are not moving to Las Vegas or anywhere else. We are, however, looking at opening up a sister club elsewhere… perhaps a CBGB West. But the original CBGB, though it will have to move, will remain in New York.”

You may ask, why would an Israeli metal site be posting about this?

1. Much of the Israeli metal/punk scene is inspired by bands that started out on CBGB’s stage.

2. I was born in Brooklyn and I have seen many an amazing show at CBGB’s including Biohazard and Yidcore.

OK, it ain’t Dimebag getting killed, but it still sucks.

:'(

Check ’em out at the Metal Israel flickr.com profile. There’s about 200 pictures. Some are great, some suck, most are in the middle somewhere. Many thanks to Yuri and Sharona from Hadran Productions.

Yidcore is playing in Jerusalem tomorrow (Wed Dec 7) night!!!

Arutz 7 and Metal Israel will be interviewing all bands involved (Yidcore, Weird Chicken and Mr. Error Sound System) and partially taping the show at the Banana 18 haOman Talpiot, Jerusalem to be broadcast on www.israelnationalradio.com this Sunday!!!!! Doors open 9 PM, 25 shekel.

image belonging to www.rollingstone.com

DFL mothafkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! Man, Evan from Biohazard and Scott Ian from Anthrax? I can’t WAIT for this. Too bad I probably won’t even get to see it.

Thanks, Alli from Myspace!!!(who got this from Blabbermouth)

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian and BIOHAZARD frontman Evan Seinfeld are among the variety of music artists, TV and film stars, comedians, journalists and other celebrities who are scheduled to appear on VH1’s “All Access Presents: So Jewtastic” — a celebration of everything you knew, and lots of stuff you didn’t, about being Jewish.

Thanks to a mensch laden panel of pundits, “So Jewtastic” premiering Monday, December 19 at 9 p.m., will answer questions like: Why is it hip to be a Jew? (the trendy rise of Kabbalah), Are Jews crunk? (the marriage of Jews and hip hop) and what’s the deal with Jewish stereotypes (money, sex and sports)? Jackie Mason will give classic lessons in “Yiddish 101” and an attempt will be made to figure out once and for all why Jews are so funny. So put down that gefilte fish and pop open some Manischewitz, being Jewish has never been “So Jewtastic.” Other celebrities scheduled to appear on the program include Brooke Burke, Ben Lee, Matisyahu, Darryl McDaniels, Jackie Mason, Dr. Ruth, comedian Elon Gold, Dustin Diamond, Baby the rapper, L.A. Times’ Joel Stein, Warner Music Group’s chairman and CEO Lyor Cohen, Ron Jeremy, Rob Tannenbaum from the rock band WHAT I LIKE ABOUT JEW, Atlantic Records president Julie Greenwald, Bill Adler and Heeb magazine’s Josh Neuman.

The show will cover topics such as:

* Jewish Stereotypes: “So Jewtastic” does not tip toe around the lingering stereotypes surrounding the Jewish community and asks whether there’s any truth to the tired old assumptions about the Jewish mother, neuroses and sex.

* It’s Hip To Be A Jew: Everywhere you look, on TV, in the movies and in music there’s a homie of Moses. From Madonna practicing Kabbalah to Seth from the “OC” to Orlando Bloom in “Troy”, it is now cool to be Jewish. Even non-Jews like Demi Moore and Britney are proudly wearing red string bracelets.

* Yiddish 101: Class is in session as Jackie Mason explains the meaning of various Yiddish words.

* Oy? Yo!: VH1 will remix both Jewish and hip hop culture as it examines the bizarre intersection of Jews and hip hop. Jews have always worked behind the scenes in hip-hop (Def Jam was co-founded by Rick Rubin and Lyor Cohen just to name a few) but now it seems like most Jewish kids are drawn to hip-hop more than ever. See the first-ever Jewish/hip hop “Bling-Off”, as rap superstar Baby teaches a Jewish Bubbe (grandmother) the basics of blinging properly.

* From The Shtetl To Heavy Metal: Jews have played a key role in hard rock/heavy metal (Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, David Lee Roth and many more). Is that the reason Jews are so loud…in music that is? Rockers Evan Seinfeld of BIOHAZARD and Scott Ian of ANTHRAX provide their take on the heebs who head bang, Bar Mitzvah pics included.

* Jews In Comedy: VH1 tickles your funny bone as we explore what’s so funny about being Jewish. Even non-Jewish families on TV are Jewish (and played by Jewish actors), like the Costanzas on “Seinfeld”. We send comedian Elon Gold to the famous Canter’s deli in LA on a quest for answers to questions even some Jews can’t answer with a segment titled: “Jew got questions, Jew got answers.” What is a mohel? Why is there a hole in the middle of a bagel? Do you like gefilte fish enough to try it on TV?

* Jews In Sports: From wrestler Goldberg to baseball star Shawn Green to Jay Fiedler of the NY Jets, Jews are getting down and dirty. And the very few of them are surprisingly good at it.