Myrath (Arabic: ميراث mīrāth, "Legacy") is a Tunisian progressive metal band formed in 2001 by guitarist Malek Ben Arbia and currently based in France.[1] The band has been noted for its mix of Arabic and Middle Eastern instrumentation with power metal and progressive rock[2] and is considered an important band in oriental metal.[3] They call their own sound "blazing desert metal".[4][5] They are the first band from Tunisia to be signed to a record label outside the country.[6]
Myrath | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | X-Tazy (2001–2005) |
| Origin | Tunisia |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels | EarMusic, VeryCords, Nightmare Records, King Records, Groove Master |
| Members | Malek Ben Arbia Morgan Berthet Anis Jouini Zaher Zorgati |
| Past members | Walid Issaoui Fahmi Chakroun Saif Louhibi Zaher Hamoudia Tarek Idouani Piwee Desfray Elyes Bouchoucha |
| Website | myrath |
Career
editEarly history
editGuitarist Malek Ben Arbia, then age 13, formed the band, first named X-Tazy, in 2001 with some childhood friends.[7] The band played covers of blues, heavy metal, and death metal songs. Amongst numerous lineup changes, keyboardist/singer Elyes Bouchoucha joined in 2003 and remained with the band until 2020. They eventually moved toward a progressive metal and oriental metal sound. In 2005 they released the EP Double Face via USB flash drives in Tunisia.[7] The album gained some notice in Europe, leading to a contract with France's Bremmis Music. Now known as Myrath, the band became the first Tunisian act to sign with a European label.[7] During this period they met French musician Kevin Codfert,[8] who has been their producer ever since.
Their first album under the name Myrath, produced by Codfert, was Hope in 2007.[8] At this time the band included Arbia and Bouchoucha with bassist Anis Jouini, who became a permanent member, plus drummer Saif Louhibi.[7] Shortly after the release of Hope, singer Zaher Zorgati joined the band and took over lead vocals from Bouchoucha. Zorgati's ability to combine Islamic chants with heavy metal wailing became a key component of Myrath's sound,[7] while the band's lyrics began to focus on Tunisian folklore.[9]
The album Desert Call was released in 2010; this album's sound was compared favorably to that of Orphaned Land.[10] Tales of the Sands followed in 2011.[11] Drummer Morgan Berthet joined the band in 2012, forming a stable lineup for the next several years.[7] They began to play European summer festivals regularly, and their first American appearance was at the ProgPower USA festival in 2013.[12]
International recognition
editMyrath opened for Symphony X during a high-profile tour of England in 2016.[13] The album Legacy, featuring lyrics contributed by Tunisian poets, was released later in 2016.[14] Also that year, Zorgati made a guest appearance on the album The Source by Ayreon.[15] Myrath then toured around the world consistently for more than two years and appeared at several international music festivals.[16] During this period they signed an international deal with EarMusic.[17]
In 2017, Myrath performed in their native Tunisia for the first time in three years with a concert at the historic Theatre of Carthage.[18] This performance was recorded for the live album Live in Carthage, released in 2019. Their fifth studio album Shehili was also released in 2019.[19] They appeared at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2019 as a last-minute replacement for Behemoth; and have been invited to return for future versions of the festival.[20] They also toured with the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica in 2019.[21] In 2021, Zorgati provided guest vocals on the track "Code of Life" on the Epica album Omega.[22]
In July 2022 the band announced via their social media that it separated from Elyes Bouchoucha back in 2020.[23] The album Karma is scheduled for release on 8 March 2024.[24]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Album | Release date | Length | Labels | Personnel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hope | 9 September 2007[25] | 51:50 |
|
|
| Desert Call | 25 January 2010[26] | 65:05 |
| |
| Tales of the Sands | 27 September 2011[27] | 45:09 |
| |
| Legacy | 19 February 2016[28] | 60:10 |
|
|
| Shehili | 5 March 2019 | 47:26 |
| |
| Karma | 8 March 2024 | 47:37 |
|
EPs
edit- 2005: Double Face.[29]
Live albums
edit- 2020: Live in Carthage.[30]
Compilation albums
edit- 2018: Merciless Times.[31]
Members
editCurrent members
edit- Malek Ben Arbia – guitar (2001–present)
- Anis Jouini – bass guitar (2006–present)
- Zaher Zorgati – lead vocals (2007–present)
- Morgan Berthet – drums (2012–present)
Former members
edit- Walid Issaoui – guitar (2001–2003)
- Fahmi Chakroun – drums (2001–2004)
- Saief Louhibi – drums (2004–2011)
- Yassine Belgith - bass (2004-2006)
- Zaher Hamoudia – bass (2001–2004)
- Tarek Idouani – lead vocals (2001–2003)
- Piwee Desfray – drums (2011-2012)
- Elyes Bouchoucha – keyboards, backing vocals (2003–2022)
Live members
edit- Kevin Codfert – additional pianos and guitars (2006–present)
Timeline
editReferences
edit- ^ Ling, Dave (20 May 2019). "Myrath – Legacy album review". rockreport. Future plc. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Soltes, John (28 April 2020). "INTERVIEW: Tunisian metal band Myrath ready to 'Endure the Silence'". Hollywood Soapbox. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ "Myrath, la success-story d'un groupe de métal tunisien". Jeune Afrique (in French). Groupe Jeune Afrique. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Bauer, Simon (2 May 2019). "MYRATH - Der Ruf des Wüstenwinds". Rock Hard (in German). Rock Hard Verlags- und Handels- GmbH. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ DeViking, Erik (29 April 2019). "MGM Special Feature: Myrath's Zaher Zorgati Takes Us Through 'Shehili'". My Global Mind. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ "Myrath | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "Myrath | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ a b Blabbermouth (17 September 2007). "Tunisia's MYRATH To Release Debut In October". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "MYRATH". Epic Metal Fest 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ^ "Myrath – Desert Call Review". Last Rites. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "Myrath 2011 Album Tales Of The Sands Review". AudioInferno \m/. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ admin. "Previous Rosters". ProgPower USA. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ Giberti, Jamie (24 November 2015). "Symphony X Announce Support Bands For Feb 2016 UK Tour". Rock Sins. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "Myrath - Legacy / ميراث - Reviews - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ manofmuchmetal (8 May 2017). "Ayreon – The Source – Album Review". Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "Myrath | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "Myrath Interview". Heavy Music Headquarters. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "MYRATH TO HEADLINE A SHOW IN THE ANTIQUE THEATER OF CARTHAGE IN TUNISIA | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ Astell, Hal C. F. "Myrath - Shehili (2019)". Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "Sweden Rock Festival 2019 - Day 4 | Grande Rock ezine". www.grande-rock.com. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "Myrath on Tour with Epica | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Interview - EPICA : jour, nuit !". MetalFrance.net. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ "MYRATH се разделят с клавириста си". WeRock.bg. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ "MYRATH – Release New Single Into The Light Ahead of New Album Karma Out On 8th March". Rock Out Stand Out. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Hope | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Desert Call | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Tales Of The Sands | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Legacy | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Double Face". Metalorgie (in French). Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ "DVD + CD LIVE IN CARTHAGE". myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Myrath : Merciless Times". www.spirit-of-metal.com. Retrieved 23 July 2021.