MetalReviews caught up with Tunisian Prog Metallers Myrath, interviewing the band about their excellent second album Desert Call.
Thanks for taking the time to do the interview, first of all! Do you enjoy interviews?
Malek Ben Arbia (guitars):
Of course that we enjoy it, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to reply to this interview, it’s definitely a great honour, we really appreciate your support.
Of course that we enjoy it, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to reply to this interview, it’s definitely a great honour, we really appreciate your support.
I think Desert Call is a great album, taking Hope and improving on it without changing your core sound – which of the two do you prefer?
Elyes Bouchoucha (keyboards/backing vocals):
Well, obviously DESERT CALL because it’s more mature and it reflects a style proper to Myrath which we want to become our own trade mark (a mix between progpower and traditional Tunisian tunes). However we do also like HOPE even though we were still very young when we wrote it and were lacking experience, but for a debut album we are really pleased that it was praised by the critics and the fans.
Well, obviously DESERT CALL because it’s more mature and it reflects a style proper to Myrath which we want to become our own trade mark (a mix between progpower and traditional Tunisian tunes). However we do also like HOPE even though we were still very young when we wrote it and were lacking experience, but for a debut album we are really pleased that it was praised by the critics and the fans.
Myrath’s sound is a mixture of several genres – how would you sum your music up for someone new to the band? Do you see yourself as more Power Metal, or more Prog Metal?
Zaher Zorgati (lead vocals):
We would sum it as oriental progpower metal but it all depends on the track you listen to.
The best way to put it is as summarized in the following extract from one of the reviews:
“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 make Desert Call a must buy!"
Actually when we started writing DESERT CALL we just let our inspiration of the moment guide us throughout the composing process, knowing that the inspiration to combine progpower metal with traditional Tunisian melodies comes naturally from our occidental influence and Arabian background. To this respect we wish to emphasize the fact that each song comes from the heart, we never fabricate music and this is certainly the main reason why the tracks of our albums are so diverse.
We would sum it as oriental progpower metal but it all depends on the track you listen to.
The best way to put it is as summarized in the following extract from one of the reviews:
“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 make Desert Call a must buy!"
Actually when we started writing DESERT CALL we just let our inspiration of the moment guide us throughout the composing process, knowing that the inspiration to combine progpower metal with traditional Tunisian melodies comes naturally from our occidental influence and Arabian background. To this respect we wish to emphasize the fact that each song comes from the heart, we never fabricate music and this is certainly the main reason why the tracks of our albums are so diverse.
Following on, what makes a band ‘progressive’ in your view? Are Myrath typical of the genre in your view, and what makes you stand out from other bands?
Anis Jouini(bass):
Myrath is an Oriental Metal band, maybe more of a progressive (band) in the album HOPE and more of an oriental prog-power Metal band in the latest album DESERT CALL.
Most of our tracks are progressive in the way that the structure of the songs are progressive even though they are not as complex as Dream Theater songs for instance.
We think that, with DESERT CALL, Myrath has brought something new and fresh to the prog-power metal music, by a somewhat new genre which mixes metal with traditional Tunisian tunes in a way different from what other band did before (as far as we know anyway).
Myrath is an Oriental Metal band, maybe more of a progressive (band) in the album HOPE and more of an oriental prog-power Metal band in the latest album DESERT CALL.
Most of our tracks are progressive in the way that the structure of the songs are progressive even though they are not as complex as Dream Theater songs for instance.
We think that, with DESERT CALL, Myrath has brought something new and fresh to the prog-power metal music, by a somewhat new genre which mixes metal with traditional Tunisian tunes in a way different from what other band did before (as far as we know anyway).
Who’s your biggest musical influence?
Malek Ben Arbia (guitars):
Well as everyone knows we used to be a Symphony X cover band when we were still in our teen years so many critics still find Symphony X influence in our music.
However each band member has an influence of his own of various styles of metal and even oriental and traditional Tunisian music.
We try really hard to stay away from any influence by coming up with a style of our own. Then there are so many bands around that no matter what we do, critics will always compare us to other bands.
Well as everyone knows we used to be a Symphony X cover band when we were still in our teen years so many critics still find Symphony X influence in our music.
However each band member has an influence of his own of various styles of metal and even oriental and traditional Tunisian music.
We try really hard to stay away from any influence by coming up with a style of our own. Then there are so many bands around that no matter what we do, critics will always compare us to other bands.
I read that you were the first Metal band from Tunisia to be signed to a label – congratulations! Is there a big Metal scene there?
Seifeddine Louhibi (drums):
The Tunisian Metal scene is very small; it’s still very underground like in many other parts of the world, however we would like to emphasize the fact that Tunisia is a peaceful touristic country located on the Mediterranean coat just one hour flight from Rome (Italy) ,it’s a country very open to other cultures, this is why for instance we have a weekly Metal show on the national radio station, which also has a streaming 24 Hours webRadio (www.zanzana.net).
We also have a Mediterranean guitar festival held each year that allowed many famous bands such as Robert Plant, Adagio, Bertignac, Epica, Fire Wind, After Forever and Haggard to play in Tunis in the past few years.
In addition we have very active Tunisian metal webzines such as www.zanzana.net, www.metal-waves.com and www.sombrearcane.com that support the Tunisian and international metal scene.
However metal bands in Tunisia face a lot of challenges in the way of getting their music across the borders because of lack of labels, promoters and support from the sponsors, and the mainstream media and this probably why so far only Myrath managed to emerge and sign contracts with prestigious labels (the French label XIII BIS RECORDS for Europe and the American label NIGHTMRE RECORDS for the remaining continents).
The Tunisian Metal scene is very small; it’s still very underground like in many other parts of the world, however we would like to emphasize the fact that Tunisia is a peaceful touristic country located on the Mediterranean coat just one hour flight from Rome (Italy) ,it’s a country very open to other cultures, this is why for instance we have a weekly Metal show on the national radio station, which also has a streaming 24 Hours webRadio (www.zanzana.net).
We also have a Mediterranean guitar festival held each year that allowed many famous bands such as Robert Plant, Adagio, Bertignac, Epica, Fire Wind, After Forever and Haggard to play in Tunis in the past few years.
In addition we have very active Tunisian metal webzines such as www.zanzana.net, www.metal-waves.com and www.sombrearcane.com that support the Tunisian and international metal scene.
However metal bands in Tunisia face a lot of challenges in the way of getting their music across the borders because of lack of labels, promoters and support from the sponsors, and the mainstream media and this probably why so far only Myrath managed to emerge and sign contracts with prestigious labels (the French label XIII BIS RECORDS for Europe and the American label NIGHTMRE RECORDS for the remaining continents).
Do you think that you’ll ever be truly commercially successful – fame and fortune – with music like this? Do you plan ahead, or just let it roll?
Zaher Zorgati (lead vocals):
Well, let’s say we let it roll, we are ambitious yet we still keep our feet on the ground as Metal music is a very competitive market with thousands of quality bands sharing the same goal of fame and success.
We work very hard to improve the notoriety of the band and hope that sooner or later we will become a famous band making a decent living from our music.
It just takes talent, hard work and a lot of patience, we are still young so we will continue doing what we love the most that is writing and playing our music hoping that sooner or later it will pay off.
Well, let’s say we let it roll, we are ambitious yet we still keep our feet on the ground as Metal music is a very competitive market with thousands of quality bands sharing the same goal of fame and success.
We work very hard to improve the notoriety of the band and hope that sooner or later we will become a famous band making a decent living from our music.
It just takes talent, hard work and a lot of patience, we are still young so we will continue doing what we love the most that is writing and playing our music hoping that sooner or later it will pay off.
Songwriting for me is the most important aspect of an album – do you find it an easy process?
Malek Ben Arbia (guitars)
Nothing is easy, it is all a matter of hard work, talent and inspiration.
The way we write music is a natural process, it’s a team work, we just let our inspiration of the moment guide us throughout the composing process.
If we are not inspired we just rehearse and wait till the inspiration gets back naturally.
Nothing is easy, it is all a matter of hard work, talent and inspiration.
The way we write music is a natural process, it’s a team work, we just let our inspiration of the moment guide us throughout the composing process.
If we are not inspired we just rehearse and wait till the inspiration gets back naturally.
Is there a political element to the band, and/or its members?
Elyes Bouchoucha (keyboards/backing vocals):
No not at all, we stay away from politics. None of us is into politics.
No not at all, we stay away from politics. None of us is into politics.
Are you party people? Does much alcohol get consumed and if so, what’s your favourite tipple?
Seifeddine Louhibi (drums):
No we are not really party people as we dedicate most of our free time to rehearsals or composing new songs.
However we do drink mainly beer in a very moderate way whenever we go out.
No we are not really party people as we dedicate most of our free time to rehearsals or composing new songs.
However we do drink mainly beer in a very moderate way whenever we go out.
What are your current five albums, old or new, Metal or not?
Malek Ben Arbia (guitars):
Painkiller (Judas Priest)
Heaven And Hell (Black Sabbath)
V (Symphony X)
The End Of Heartache (Killswitch Engage)
Underworld (Adagio)
Zaher Zorgati (lead vocals):
Master Of Puppets (Metallica)
Heaven And Hell (Black Sabbath)
Scenes From A Memory (Dream Theater)
Train Of Thought (Dream Theater)
Deliverance and Damnation (Opeth)
Anis Jouini (bass):
And Justice For All (Metallica)
Images And Words (Dream Theater)
V (Symphony X)
Underworld (Adadgio)
Cowboys From Hell (Pantera)
Elyes Bouchoucha (keyboards/backing vocals):
Heaven And Hell (Black Sabbath)
V (Symphony X)
Master Of Puppets (Metallica)
Ghost Opera (Kamelot)
Underworld (Adadgio)
Seifeddine Louhibi (drums):
Painkiller (Judas Priest)
As Daylight Dies (Killswitch Engage)
V (Symphony X)
The Great Southern Trendkill (Pantera)
Wrath (Lamb Of God)
Painkiller (Judas Priest)
Heaven And Hell (Black Sabbath)
V (Symphony X)
The End Of Heartache (Killswitch Engage)
Underworld (Adagio)
Zaher Zorgati (lead vocals):
Master Of Puppets (Metallica)
Heaven And Hell (Black Sabbath)
Scenes From A Memory (Dream Theater)
Train Of Thought (Dream Theater)
Deliverance and Damnation (Opeth)
Anis Jouini (bass):
And Justice For All (Metallica)
Images And Words (Dream Theater)
V (Symphony X)
Underworld (Adadgio)
Cowboys From Hell (Pantera)
Elyes Bouchoucha (keyboards/backing vocals):
Heaven And Hell (Black Sabbath)
V (Symphony X)
Master Of Puppets (Metallica)
Ghost Opera (Kamelot)
Underworld (Adadgio)
Seifeddine Louhibi (drums):
Painkiller (Judas Priest)
As Daylight Dies (Killswitch Engage)
V (Symphony X)
The Great Southern Trendkill (Pantera)
Wrath (Lamb Of God)
You have the power to erase one human being from history. Who is it, and why?
Anis Jouini (bass)
That’s a tough question because the list would is very long and it would be difficult to pick just one, let’s say all the tyrants, dictators and terrorists who were behind the events that caused so many wars, deaths and destructions throughout mankind’s history, the most recent and shocking event being obviously 9/11.
That’s a tough question because the list would is very long and it would be difficult to pick just one, let’s say all the tyrants, dictators and terrorists who were behind the events that caused so many wars, deaths and destructions throughout mankind’s history, the most recent and shocking event being obviously 9/11.
Thank you again, and good luck! Any final words?
Malek Ben Arbia (guitars)
We would like to thank you for this interview and wish to take this opportunity to thank all our fans for their valuable support and invite every metal fan who is not familiar with our music yet to check us out in our MySpace (www.myspace.com/myrathband) and official website (www.myrathband.com).
We would like also to announce that we are working on a new album which is way underway. We hope to record it by next November and release it during first quarter 2011.
We would like to thank you for this interview and wish to take this opportunity to thank all our fans for their valuable support and invite every metal fan who is not familiar with our music yet to check us out in our MySpace (www.myspace.com/myrathband) and official website (www.myrathband.com).
We would like also to announce that we are working on a new album which is way underway. We hope to record it by next November and release it during first quarter 2011.
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