Myrath
MYRATH (which means Legacy) is a prog-power oriental metal band from Tunis, Tunisia, a small country well known for its resort areas on the Mediterranean coast but certainly not for its metal bands. Yet in just few years what started out as a teenager cover band became a relatively well known and respected band by the international prog-power metal community. It all started in early 2001, when guitarist Malek Ben Arbia (who was just 13 years old at the time) and two of his childhood friends formed a cover band which they named Xtazy.
For the first two years the band played covers, of various styles (blues, rock, heavy, thrash , death). Then for the following two years exclusively Symphony X covers, when Elyes Bouchoucha (keyboards and vocals), who just graduated from Tunis conservatory, joined the band in 2003. After four (4) years of playing covers, the band released in March 2005 “Double Face”, a self produced album (released in Tunisia only) with a lineup which included new drummer Saief Ouhibi(who joined the band in the summer of 2004). Even though “Double Face” was more of a demo with an obvious Symphony X influence it did however show very encouraging signs of composing skills of a band consisting of students still in their teen years.
In March 24th 2006 the band opened for Robert Plant and Adagio in a concert held in Carthage roman amphitheater and attended by about 7000 metal/rock fans. That day they met Adagios keyboard player Kevin Codfert who later became the band producer and sound engineer. With the valuable support of Kevin, the addition (in September 2006) of experienced Bass player Anis Jouini and the improved composing and playing skills of guitarist Malek Ben Arbia (who graduated (in July 2006) from the prestigious French guitar school Music academy international (M.A.I.), the band became more ambitious in pursuing an international career.
To this respect they started by changing the band name from Xtazy to MYRATH in September 2007, the French label Brennus-Music, released worldwide MYRATH debut album “Hope” (mixed and produced by Kevin Codfert ). This album was a turning point in MYRATH carrier as it was praised by the media in numerous album reviews by well known webzines and magazines and was even voted third best album of the year by two major US webzines.
The success of “Hope” contributed to improving the notoriety of MYRATH, and paved the way for prestigious European festivals to include the band in their lineup. Thus on May 2nd 2008 MYRATH made an impressive debut live performance outside Tunisia in Progsud Festival (Marseille – France) with talented singer Zaher Zorgati (who joined the band in June 2007) as front man.
The follow up album named “Desert Call”, (brilliantly mixed and produced by Kevin Codfert) was officially released on January 25th 2010 in Europe by the major French labels XIII BIS RECORDS (Sony distribution) and in the rest of the world by the prestigious American Label Nightmare Records.
“Desert Call” has since been acclaimed by the media in numerous album reviews by well known webzines and magazines and has contributed to expending Myath fan base. Here is the way which one of the reviewers puts it best: ‘’Myrath -- Desert Call is to date, my favorite album of 2010. It deserves to be one of the best that’s for sure. This music has everything a Progressive metal fan could want. Hugely based on this bands playing and writing abilities. Beautiful music that is sure to get you both head banging, and filling your heart full of raw, metal emotion. Natural exotic sounds, that come naturally, and amazing musicianship .These guys are young in the music world, and this is only their second studio album. In my opinion they have achieved something that took many bands a decade to achieve”
