Oriental metal

Oriental metal is a form of folk metal that incorporates elements of traditional Middle Eastern music.

The term "oriental metal" or

Oriental metal is a form of folk metal that incorporates elements of traditional Middle Eastern music.

The term "oriental metal" originated in Israel, where bands like Salem from the local doom/death metal scene began writing metal songs related to Jewish tragedies and biblical stories. This change did not only have an effect on the lyrics, but on the music as well; the bands added traditional Jewish instruments and singing to their slow Death metal riffs, creating moving, emotional, apocalyptic music. Some of the bands have also composed Death metal versions to ancient Jewish prayers and Psalms chants.