Myrath | Tales of the Sands
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
The Middle East is not what you would typically consider a hotbed for heavy metal, but in recent years a handful of very impressive bands from that area have broken through, putting a regional spin on the progressive metal sound. Innovative Israeli bands Orphaned Land and Melechesh are probably the best known, but Tunisian progressive/power metal band Myrath (which is Tunisian for “Legend”) is quickly proving to be worthy of joining their ranks. Their 2010 album Desert Call was very well-received, and now the band is back with a follow-up, titled Tales of the Sands.
Myrath plays progressive metal, but not quite at the same level of complexity as Orphaned Land. The band retains the high level of musicianship and sense of bombast and grandeur, but takes a more melodic, more accessible approach that’s similar to bands like Symphony X and Kamelot. Actually, Tales of the Sands could pass as Kamelot’s unreleased follow-up to Karma. They hit that sweet spot between progressive and power metal, and the incorporation of regional instrumentation and Arabic language elements is just what was needed to push Myrath’s sound above the very crowded prog/power pack. Of course it helps to have a guitar player of Malek Ben Arbia’s caliber who can masterfully weave intricate riffing and mesmerizing melodies, and a vocalist like Zaher Zorgatti with a great midrange voice that conveys plenty of power and drama. Then there’s the way Elyes Bouchoucha’s melodic keyboard work plays off of Anis Jouini and Piwee Desfray’s rhythms. Top it off with a first rate mixing and mastering job (courtesy of Frederik Nordstrom and Jens Bogren, respectively) and you have all the necessary ingredients for a successful album.
Of course, all the talent and professional finishing in the world can’t make up for a lack of songwriting skills. Fortunately Myrath is hardly lacking in that department. Tales of the Sands is a remarkably strong album start to finish, working just as effectively as a group of individual songs as it does as a more cohesive whole. Opener “Under Siege” sets the tone for the rest of the album perfectly, hinting at the range of styles to come. “Merciless Times” showcases the band’s use of their native musical elements, as does the powerful title track with its haunting Arabic passages. Closing song “Time to Grow” is another highlight, thanks to some truly powerful vocals, and the bonus track “Apostrophe for a Legend” may be the album’s most accessible song.
Tales of the Sands is another strong showing from Myrath, and is an album that should not only please the band’s existing fans but also win over fans of “top tier” bands like Kamelot, Evergrey, Vanden Plas and Symphony X. With any luck, this will be the breakthrough album that brings Myrath the attention their music very much deserves.
Genre: Progressive Power Metal
Band:
Anis Jouini (b)
Malek Ben Arbia (g)
Elyes Bouchoucha (k) (v)
Zaher Zorgatti (v)
Piwee Desfray (d)
Track Listing:
1. Under Siege
2. Braving the Seas
3. Merciless Times
4. Tales of the Sands
5. Sour Sigh
6. Dawn Within
7. Wide Shut
8. Requiem for a Goodbye
9. Beyond the Stars
10. Time to Grow
11. Apostrophe for a Legend (bonus track)
Label: Nightmare Records
Website: www.myrath.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.75/10