Yossi Sassi

Yossi Sassi (Hebrew: יוסי סאסי; born 5 February 1975) is an Israeli guitarist[1] and producer who merges traditional and contemporary music.

[2] He is known for pioneering oriental rock, as well as being the main composer, arranger, and co-founder of Orphaned Land, an Israeli progressive metal band formed in 1991.

He dropped out of high school at age 17 to focus on his band Orphaned Land, combining Middle Eastern elements with metal music.

[6] Sassi blends East with West, rock with world music, melodic tunes with progressive passages, and traditional folk instruments with electric riffs.

[citation needed][8] Yossi Sassi is a first-level endorsing artist of PRS Guitars, Engl Amps, Elixir Strings, and Electro-Harmonix.

On 6 January 2014, Sassi released an official statement[9] in which he announced his decision to part ways with his life work in Orphaned Land, due to various reasons, and focus on "new dreams" and "creative, innovative, authentic music that unites people".

The album includes musical collaborations with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ex-Guns N' Roses), Marty Friedman (ex-Megadeth), Mariangela Demurtas (Tristania), and more.