Iron Echoes…

“Iron Echoes”: New Album Honors Trauma and Resilience from the “Iron Swords” War

A powerful new album, “Iron Echoes,” has been released in anticipation of the anniversary of the October 7 Black Sabbath, featuring four deeply moving tracks by artists who were directly impacted by the “Iron Swords” War. Each artist uses music to explore and express the emotional complexity and trauma they faced during and after the conflict.

The album is a unique collaboration between Israel’s Ministry of Education, WIZO Beit HaKerem’s vocational high school staff, and World WIZO’s External Relations Department. It was recorded and produced in the school’s social recording studio, a special project run by students from the high school’s sound department, many of whom are in special education. WIZO runs the only secondary vocational high school for those with special needs ensuring that they graduate with a qualification in one of three tracks – music technology, cookery or hairdressing. The Iron Echoes initiative not only showcases the resilience and talent of the artists but also empowers students with learning disabilities to take part in a meaningful creative process.

In recent months, the participating artists were mentored by prominent female musicians:

• Milka Gabay, who spent hours in her safe room in the Gaza Envelope during the Black Sabbath and tragically lost her son in battle the following day, wrote “Feel Like Before” with guidance from artist Gal De Paz.
• Nadav Daykan, a commander in an elite unit who lost soldiers in combat, penned “What You Don’t See” under the mentorship of Ester Rada.
• Sigal Amsalem, who experienced the horrors of the Black Sabbath in the city of Sderot, created the song “The Parents’ Language” with the help of artist Efrat Gosh.
• Ezra Haqaq, who led a body collection unit at the Shura camp, wrote “Logic” with guidance from Sima Nun.

Each song reflects the artists’ personal struggles and their journeys toward healing, offering a rare glimpse into the emotional toll of war. “Iron Echoes” serves as both a tribute to those affected by the “Iron Swords” War and a testament to the enduring strength and creativity of those who lived through it.

The album is dedicated to the memory of those lost in the war and the survivors who continue to face the trauma and scars left behind. It is a reminder of the human cost of conflict, as well as the resilience found in art and music.

Listeners are invited to experience these touching songs, share them, and spread the word to ensure that these artists and their stories receive the recognition they deserve. To listen to “Iron Echoes,” visit this link.