Myrath – ‘Shehili’ Review

Released by: earMUSIC

Release Date: 3^rd May 2019

Genre: Progressive Metal / Melodic Metal / Melodic Metal /Blazing Desert Metal

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Album Line-up:

Malek Ben Arbia – guitar
Elyes Bouchoucha – keyboards, backing vocals
Anis Jouini – bass
Zaher Zorgati – lead vocals
Morgan Berthet – drums

Tracklist:

1. Asl (Intro)
2. Born To Survive
3. You’ve Lost Yourself
4. Dance
5. Wicked Dice
6. Monster In My Closet
7. Lili Twil
8. No Holding Back
9. Stardust
10. Mersal
11. Darkness Arise
12. Shehili

I am not necessarily a fan of World Music, but I enjoy music from all over the world. I’ve said it before, but even if the band sings in a foreign tongue I’m cool with that. One of my favourite bands of the last 20 years is easily Tunisia’s Myrath. As just a straight Progressive Metal band I’d have been hooked on them, but it is their cultural influences that make them stand out even more and draw me in deeper. The use of oriental and other instrumentation and modes from their homeland adds so much character to their sound setting them apart from anything else in the genre.

The band are back with their 5^th full length release Shehili, the follow-up to their spectacular 2016 release Legacy. While both albums share some comparisons, Shehili feels more like the most logical progression from one to the other. What I mean is, there are just enough components from their past to keep that Myrath sound intact while at the same time furthering themselves stylistically. While I think Legacy is a better album (for now) Shehili is one that I am finding with each listen it digs itself deeper into my consciousness. Tracks like “Dance,” “Born To Survive,” and “No Holding Back” have such a grand scope and feel to them, maturing their already strong composition abilities while at the same time being easily memorable and catchy songs. Perhaps with as many spins as I have given Legacy this one will surpass it, but therein lies the trouble of reviewing music- deadlines.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt Myrath continue to show themselves a one of the best bands going today in the Progressive Metal realm. Their unique brand of music takes the familiar and makes it their own yet again with Shehili. This will be a tough album to top for me this year. I’m pretty certain it will be in my top five if not topping the whole list. No matter, Myrath are like no other band out there that I have heard and continue to show that they are a force to be reckoned with. Perhaps some more exposure in the U.S. will propel their name to the top where it truly belongs.

Shehili will be released as a CD Digipak, 1LP+Download and Digital on May 3^rd, 2019 on earMUSIC.

While you’re here, why not check out our Myrath Special featuring Zaher Zorgati.

Ratings: 9/10

Written by: Chris Martin

My Global Mind – Senior Staff Writer

Chris Martin is a US based writer for My Global Mind, with an interest in hard rock and heavy metal in all its forms. A heavy contributor to the site, his work largely covers album and gig reviews.

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Erik DeViking

Erik De’Viking is a London based freelance music journalist. His musical interests include blues, rock, and metal in all its forms, and he is constantly on the lookout for new bands and genres to discover and later preach about to the masses.

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