Salem was formed in 1985 along with the newly born extreme metal scene and released 2 demo tapes called: "Salem"(1986) and "Destruction till Death"(1987). After 5 years of a successful underground career and a line-up change to: Zeev Tananboim - Vocals, Lior Mizrachi - Guitar, Michael Goldstein - Bass, Giora Hirsch - Guitar, Amir Neubach - Drums. the band released "Millions Slaughtered Live"(1990). This demo tape sold 1,500 copies and got the band a record deal with the German label Morbid Records.
"Creating Our Sins"(1992) and "Kaddish"(1994) were released by Morbid records and sold over 40,000 copies worldwide. Prior to the release of "Kaddish", Morbid Records released a 7 inch picture EP with the single "Dying Embers"(1994) to promote the album, and when "Kaddish" came out, a limited edition of the album was released on vinyl (picture disc). The opening song "The Fading" was played on M.T.V's headbangers ball rotation and also got the band to be elected as one of the best 10 up and coming bands in the world by M.T.V and Kerrang.

"Kaddish" also featured a cover song called "Ha'ayara Bo'eret" (the town is on fire), a song that is being associated with the holocaust. This national controversy found its way to the Israeli parliament for a discussion of whether or not it is appropriate for a metal band to play such songs. In 1996 Giora Hirsch decides to leave the band and dedicate himself to his new family. In 1998, following the best offer the band got from Israeli label B.N.E., producer Colin Richardson, the man who produced such known act as Machine Head, Fear Factory etc, flew over to Israel to record "A Moment Of Silence". The album was recorded in D.B. studios in Israel and The Chapel in England and was released late 1998.

A big distribution deal was on the horizon with Modern Music (Germany) but due to miscommunication between B.N.E. and the band the deal fell through. Right after the "A Moment Of Silence" recording session, Amir Neubach quits the band to pursue a music career in New-York City. Nir Nakav, who just returned from L.A. after 4 years, joins Salem. In early 2001, Salem was released from their contract with B.N.E. In December 2001, Salem signed a 3 album deal with KMG/ System Shock from Germany. The 4th album will be released mid to late 2002.

The fourth Salem album is the most aggressive Salem album to date. Produced by the band and recorded in D.B. Studios (Drums, Bass, and Guitars) and Noise Studios (Vocals and mix) in Israel to maintain the bombastic production standard set forth with previous release "A Moment Of Silence". "Collective Demise" contains 12 new songs which textually are snapshots of our reality since September 2001. Nir Gutraiman (Guitar) joins Salem.

In their long years in the business, Salem played shows as headliners but was also much obliged to play on the same stage with other known bands like; Megadeth, Entonbed, Ancient Rites, Cancer, Rotting Christ, Disharmonic Orchestra and more.

Editor's comment: After the recording of the "Millions Slaughtered Live" demo tape in 1992 the vocalist Ze'ev received a bomb in the mail from Norway because of the anti-nazi lyrics of the title track.

OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY (2002)