Myrath
Myrath performing in Madrid, Spain (L-R: Malek Ben Arbia, Morgan Berthet, Zaher Zorgati, Anis Jouini, Elyes Bouchoucha)
Myrath performing in Madrid, Spain (L-R: Malek Ben Arbia, Morgan Berthet, Zaher Zorgati, Anis Jouini, Elyes Bouchoucha)
Background information
Also known asX-Tazy (2001–2005)
OriginTunisia
Genres
Years active2001–present
LabelsEarMusic, VeryCords, Nightmare Records, King Records, Groove Master
MembersMalek Ben Arbia
Morgan Berthet
Anis Jouini
Zaher Zorgati
Past membersWalid Issaoui
Fahmi Chakroun
Saif Louhibi
Zaher Hamoudia
Tarek Idouani
Piwee Desfray
Elyes Bouchoucha
Websitewww.myrath.com

Myrath (Arabic: ميراث mīrāth, "Legacy") is a Tunisian progressive metal band formed in 2001 by guitarist Malek Ben Arbia and currently based in Tunisia.[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]

Career

Early history

Guitarist 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 became a permanent member. 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

Singer Zaher Zorgati on stage.

Myrath 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]

Discography

Studio albums

Album Release date Length Labels Personnel
Hope 9 September 2007[24] 51:50
  • Brennus Music
  • Elyes Bouchoucha – lead, backing vocals and keyboards
  • Malek Ben Arbia – guitars
  • Anis Jouini – bass
  • Saif Louhibi – drums
Desert Call 25 January 2010[25] 65:05
  • Zaher Zorgati – lead and backing vocals
  • Malek Ben Arbia – guitars
  • Anis Jouini – bass
  • Elyes Bouchoucha – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Saif Louhibi – drums
Tales of the Sands 27 September 2011[26] 45:09
  • Zaher Zorgati – lead and backing vocals
  • Malek Ben Arbia – guitars
  • Anis Jouini – bass
  • Elyes Bouchoucha – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Kevin Codfert – keyboards, pianos, backing vocals
  • Piwee Desfray – drums
Legacy 19 February 2016[27] 60:10
  • Zaher Zorgati – lead and backing vocals
  • Malek Ben Arbia – guitars
  • Anis Jouini – bass
  • Elyes Bouchoucha – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Kevin Codfert – keyboards, pianos, backing vocals
  • Morgan Bethet – drums
Shehili 5 March 2019 47:26
  • Zaher Zorgati – lead vocals
  • Malek Ben Arbia – guitars
  • Anis Jouini – bass
  • Elyes Bouchoucha – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Kevin Codfert – keyboards, pianos, backing vocals
  • Morgan Berthet – drums
  • Lotfi Bouchnak – co-lead vocals on "Mersal"

EPs

  • 2005: Double Face.[28]

Live albums

  • 2020: Live in Carthage.[29]

Compilation albums

  • 2018: Merciless Times.[30]

Members

Current members

  • 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

  • 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

  • Kevin Codfert – additional pianos and guitars (2006–present)

Timeline

References

  1. ↑ Ling, Dave (20 May 2019). "Myrath – Legacy album review". Metal Hammer. Future plc. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  2. ↑ Soltes, John (28 April 2020). "INTERVIEW: Tunisian metal band Myrath ready to 'Endure the Silence'". Hollywood Soapbox. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  3. ↑ "Myrath, la success-story d'un groupe de métal tunisien". Jeune Afrique (in French). Groupe Jeune Afrique. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  4. ↑ Bauer, Simon (2 May 2019). "MYRATH - Der Ruf des Wüstenwinds". Rock Hard (in German). Rock Hard Verlags- und Handels- GmbH. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  5. ↑ DeViking, Erik (29 April 2019). "MGM Special Feature: Myrath's Zaher Zorgati Takes Us Through 'Shehili'". My Global Mind. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  6. ↑ "Myrath | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Myrath | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  8. 1 2 Blabbermouth (17 September 2007). "Tunisia's MYRATH To Release Debut In October". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  9. ↑ "MYRATH". Epic Metal Fest 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  10. ↑ "Myrath – Desert Call Review". Last Rites. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  11. ↑ "Myrath 2011 Album Tales Of The Sands Review". AudioInferno \m/. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  12. ↑ admin. "Previous Rosters". ProgPower USA. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  13. ↑ Giberti, Jamie (24 November 2015). "Symphony X Announce Support Bands For Feb 2016 UK Tour". Rock Sins. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  14. ↑ "Myrath - Legacy / ميراث - Reviews - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  15. ↑ manofmuchmetal (8 May 2017). "Ayreon – The Source – Album Review". Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  16. ↑ "Myrath | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  17. ↑ "Myrath Interview". Heavy Music Headquarters. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  18. ↑ "MYRATH TO HEADLINE A SHOW IN THE ANTIQUE THEATER OF CARTHAGE IN TUNISIA | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  19. ↑ Astell, Hal C. F. "Myrath - Shehili (2019)". Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  20. ↑ "Sweden Rock Festival 2019 - Day 4 | Grande Rock ezine". www.grande-rock.com. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  21. ↑ "Myrath on Tour with Epica | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  22. ↑ "Interview - EPICA : jour, nuit !". MetalFrance.net. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  23. ↑ "MYRATH се разделят с клавириста си". WeRock.bg. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  24. ↑ "Hope | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  25. ↑ "Desert Call | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  26. ↑ "Tales Of The Sands | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  27. ↑ "Legacy | Myrath | Myrath - Official website". Myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  28. ↑ "Double Face". Metalorgie (in French). Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  29. ↑ "DVD + CD LIVE IN CARTHAGE". myrath (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  30. ↑ "Myrath : Merciless Times". www.spirit-of-metal.com. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
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