Hayehudim - Forte
- FaceOff - עימות חזיתי
- Jul 13
- 7 min read
We vividly recall the first time we listened to this album. We bought it at the "Disc Club" store in Eilat and eagerly awaited the moment we could get in the car and play it. Those few seconds before it started felt like five years, five years of anticipating new music from the band we deeply admire. From the very first note, it sounded incredible! We even thought the car's sound system had been upgraded overnight because the audio quality was astonishing. We ended up listening to the album for four straight hours!
Hayehudim's fourth studio album, "Forte," came out on July 13, 2007, during a period when CDs were the primary medium, before streaming became prevalent. Interestingly, that was also the year the first iPhone was introduced.
As mentioned, the album was released 5 years after "Death Fear", which was an unconventional experience for the band, featuring a somewhat deficient sound.
Following the album's release, the band experienced a major change. Yiftach Shahaf (unrelated to Orit), who had been the band's guitarist since the late 90s, right after their second album "HaYehudim" was released, and a close friend of Orit Shahaf and Tom Petrover, decided to leave to pursue his career in the US.
He was replaced by two exceptional guitarists and talented musicians, Daniel Bercher and Guy Be'er. They debuted with the band in August 2003 at the Wahl Amphitheater in Tel Aviv and participated in the "Hayehudim BeYeshiva" tour, which continued for several years after the release of the Live album "Unplugged".
For us, "Forte" was the band's best album until their latest release, "No More." As devoted fans, we might be biased, which is why everything new they produce seems like the best to us. And what about "Separate Reality," you ask? It's an album that deserves its own Hall of Fame, encased in a glass aquarium, due to its temporary super-uniqueness and because the leading radio stations in Israel only play its songs. Let's get back to the point...
It was the best album in many ways; its sound is simply phenomenal. The guitars of Bracher and Beer (B&B) are outstanding, Yahav the drummer is stepping up, and Stroll, along with Orit and Tom, rounds it off perfectly like a quality "su-weed" cooking. We'll continue...
The background to the recordings is depicted in the song "New York City". In April 2005, the band members took a collective break and traveled to the Big Apple to explore Manhattan, where they stayed for four months. Tom mentioned that they wandered around the city on foot to absorb the atmosphere, get acquainted, be inspired, and experience the surroundings. This gave them a feeling that anything is possible there, not in an economic sense but in terms of events and movement, allowing them to be themselves, which felt magical. In December 2006, they went to Sterling Sound Studios in New York for an intensive week of recording, working on their fourth album with Ted Jensen, a renowned figure who collaborated with bands like Green Day and the "Dave Matthews Band."
Certainly, New York had an undeniable influence on the first song that starts the album in English. This is the band's only album that begins with an English song. The track "Don’t Like" opens with a distinct, heavy, and dramatic vibe, hinting at what's to come. The song conveys the sense that Orit and Tom were eagerly waiting to erupt alongside you; those five years felt like an eternity for them as well. Power is the central theme of this album! The song features a stunning break, with the 16-bit sound accompanying Mittelman's keyboards, building with the guitars to a powerful and triumphant climax.
The second song, "You Have No Place," was released as the first single from the album. Let's pause for a moment, as something exciting happened during that time. The network company "Cellcom" featured the song with Tom and Orit (if our memory serves correctly) in a TV commercial. The band has faced media neglect since their journey began, but we won't delve into that here. This marks the band's first high-budget music video since "Looking for Answer" from their debut album. The song possesses a captivatingly powerful rhythm that entrances you with Yahav's drumming, Mittelman's keyboard work reminiscent of a string ensemble, and Daniel's guitar arpeggios, which also take the solo. The chorus bursts forth with such intensity that it makes you want to scream your heart and lungs out uncontrollably—give it a try, it works!
"That's how I am" unfolds playfully, creating an illusion of joy and lightness, yet Orit's lyrics are powerful and even somber. Her voice, alternating between shouting "Why me" and whispering, adds a dramatic touch to her captivating performance. Prepare for "Here It Comes", where Tom's lyrics reflect the era's atmosphere and surrounding events, accompanied by a strong rhythm and a beautiful break reminiscent of bluesy rock, highlighted by B&B's exceptional guitar work, especially Guy Beer, who shines with an incredible solo in these two tracks. Whatever comes next, we are prepared, and what arrives now, gently caresses and touches.
The song "Until It Passes" was inspired by Dana Ben-Tzur, a 17-year-old fan of the band who tragically passed away. After she was injured in unfortunate circumstances, the band members stayed by her bedside, witnessing her fall into a coma. During their first visit, they even managed to get her to open her eyes and remained by her side ever since. After several months, just as it seemed positive neurological signs were emerging and she had recovered from a severe bacterial infection, Dana sadly passed away. The song was written, drawing inspiration from Tom and Orit's deep connection with Dana. The final part of the song is so moving that it's hard not to shed a tear.
The initial segment of the song that comes after "Somebody Else" seems to offer hope in light of the tragedy that took place.
"If you fall I will catch you
I promise I will
I will love you forever
Help you cross all the rivers
And the deserts, I swear"
Unlike anything we've heard before, Orit incorporates effects that merge her voice with the guitar distortion. It's a refreshing and delightful transformation. Have we mentioned that everything the band touches turns to gold?
Who mentioned grunge? This sound suits the band perfectly; what a beautiful song. In our view, this track is the standout on the album, with each of the band's albums featuring a song that captivates you from start to finish, like "Ella," "Stealing," "Falling," and others. "New York City", as we mentioned earlier, was inspired by the band's experiences in New York, where they attempted to take a break but still performed at some festivals to give their overseas audience a taste. What a cool and catchy riff, and what a gritty sound from B&B, featuring two impressive solos by Daniel on guitar.
We're right in the middle; this might be the band's longest album, if not one of the longest.
A gentle and tender rock ballad, "Be," guides you through the character's introspection and existential musings, enhanced by a duet that sends continuous shivers. The transition is remarkable, with a stunning keyboard section preceding the guitar's entrance, showcasing the true art of music. The piece is intense and dynamic, building into a thrilling, captivating solo. Daniel and Guy deliver extraordinary guitar work, especially at 3:40, where the solo shatters us completely.
We’ve enjoyed some grunge and a rock ballad, so let's dive back into metal. Ensure your speakers, especially the subwoofer, can handle the power of the song "Even When You Don't Cry"; it's risky for systems that aren't prepared. The intense and relentless sound of this exceptional band is lethal. Take note of Yahav's wide open hi-hat, which resembles a powerful waterfall carrying the deadly guitar riffs. Beyond the robust and heavy sound, pay attention to the talk box. Keep this in mind when we move on to "What About You".
Pour yourself a glass of whiskey or red wine, settle onto the couch with the speakers perfectly positioned, and listen to Tom as he declares he "Cannot do it Otherwise." There's something incredibly captivating and genuine about Tom's singing (and Orit's too, don't be mistaken). From the very first album, we've embraced his rolling R's, his roars, and even his whispers. Whatever he conveys, it reaches straight to the heart. Tom's poignant and tragic love story on the piano, the challenges, the struggles, and the hardships seep into your very being, and you find yourself empathizing with your suffering hero, even if you haven't experienced the same path.
The third song in English, "Learning", is an incredible showcase that highlights the band's power and strength. It features dynamic elements, a well-crafted structure, impressive sound, captivating vocals, and Daniel's solo, all of which provide pure enjoyment. Just step up!
The song "Free" narrates a beautiful story about a man who discovered a freedom he selected for himself. Regardless of how others perceive it or how it might appear distorted, to him, it represents true freedom.
Now, let's move on to one of the album's masterpieces, "What About You", which we mentioned earlier. This epic track lasts 6:02 minutes and gradually builds up, step by step. Each band member delivers a performance worthy of the Pantheon—let's emphasize it again, powerful!!! It's only at 3:31 that it begins to descend, like massive, powerful rocks plummeting like meteors from the sky, crashing to the ground as their fragments scatter and Orit sings "What about you." Suddenly, a terrifying explosion occurs, akin to an atomic bomb mushroom cloud, lifting the entire ground into uncontrollable levitation!!! This is the album's second single, accompanied by a high-budget and impressive music video.
We'll pause here just to breath for a minute and then proceed to the final two songs that conclude the album.
"Forever by me" is Tom's vow of eternal love, signifying that he will always cherish, remember, and stand by your side. He seeks life's meaning, which he believes he may only discover with her. This remarkable ballad, true to the band's signature style, builds in intensity as it unfolds, culminating in Tom's powerful roars harmonized with Daniel's solo. Whether these emotions arise from desperation or jealousy is for you to interpret.
The album concludes with the song "Dreaming", featuring Orit solo with the piano. "Queen of the Amazons" captivates us every time, regardless of what she performs. It's a beautiful ending to a remarkable album.
We won't debate whether this is the band's best album, but it is undoubtedly one of their greatest. It marks a significant milestone and, in our opinion, has consistently upheld the Israeli rock legacy that the band proudly carries through the years.
Alongside the band's first two albums, this is their third best-selling album. It received the "Album of the Year" award at the Channel 24 Awards on Channel 4, and in March 2008, it achieved gold status by selling over 20,000 copies.
Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music
Comments