010 Jewish Metal Mayhem – XAMAVAR

Jewish Metal Mayhem 010 – XAMAVAR

One of the biggest and freshest surprises to emerge from Israel’s robust underground metal / alternative / industrial music scene is a band by the name of Xamavar (pronounced Xam Ah var). Xamavar are known in Israel for their very unique and particular sound of Scottish bagpipes, classical violin, rocking metal guitar chops and relentless drums, accompanied by the operatic voice of their singer, who together produce music that is so refreshing to hear.

Savannah (vocals) is a vivacious opera-trained jazz singer from Australia, Shaemus (bagpipes) was instructed by some of the best pipers in Scotland, Jenia Fab (violin) received a meticulous musical education in St. Petersburg, Tsachi (drums) performed all over Europe with a renowned Israeli orchestra and Ramy (bass) is a self-taught musician and a devoted flower-child. Sadly the band just announced that Savannah is leaving to pursue her solo career and so they wish her well, but require a new singer of Savannah’s caliber.

Xamavar was founded by Jenia ‘J. Grand’ and Shaemus in October 2005. Xamavar’s music is conceived by Jenia ‘J. Grand’ (guitar), and the lyrics are jointly crafted by Shaemus and Savannah.

Blind Still Trill’, ‘Older Pink’ and ‘Spongy Doom’ are the first songs to be independently released by Xamavar, indicative of the eruptive energy and the mesmerizing/friendly complexity of their material.

‘Blind Still Trill’ has also been licensed for the compilation CD ‘Israel Unleashed’, released by JMG in November 2007.

Older Pink

Xamavar performing their song ‘Spotless’, live at the cityhall club, November 16th 2007

Promo CD available for purchase at:

Tel Aviv ‘HaOzen HaShlishit’
(48 King George street)

Naharia ‘Piccolo’
(36 HaGa’aton street)