Album review: MYRATH – Karma
earMUSIC [Release date 08.03.24]
I was a fairly late convert to the Myrath cause, only really becoming aware of the band with the release of their ‘Live At Carthage’ album in 2020. Delving into their back catalogue I found an excellent blend of melodic power/prog metal blended with Arabic and Middle Eastern melodies to create a unique sound.
‘Karma’ is the band’s sixth studio album and continues in the same majestic vein, blending the different influences perfectly. ‘To The Stars’ opens proceedings with a very accessible, melodic rock which introduces the album nicely. This leads into the harder edged ‘Into The Light’ which demonstrates the eastern influences perfectly and throws in a prog metal mid-section for good measure. This song also shows the range and vocal talents of Zoher Zagati to good effect.
‘Candles Cry’ throws a bit of funk into the mix with a strong bassline running throughout provided by Anis Jouini. Things then take a more commercial and melodic twist with ‘Let It Go’ which would make a great single release in the future.
One element that stands out across all tracks is the outstanding guitar skills from Malik Ben Arbia. His fretwork is a cornerstone of the bands sound and integrates well with all the bands musical and melodic twists. ‘Words Are Failing’ demonstrates this perfectly with Ariba weaving the Arabic influence into the track seamlessly along with heavier metallic riffs.
A heavy, funk bassline then leads into ‘The Wheel Of Time’, another melodic rock workout with a definite prog influence. ‘Temple Walls’ brings the Eastern influence back to the fore with a great melody running through the track.
‘Child Of Prophecy’ builds from a gentle start into a rocker of epic proportions. This track really shows the band at their creative best with plenty of interesting melodies and rhythms. The big and bold theme is then continued with ‘The Empire’, which contains plenty of musical light and shade, again with a prog edge. Drummer Morgan Berthert puts in a good shift on this one with some solid playing.
One of the more commercial tracks on the album is ‘Heroes’, which was a lead track prior to the album release. It is an accessible, melodic track with a catchy chorus that will no doubt be a fan favourite live. The album is then finished off with, ironically, a track entitled ‘Carry On’. Again, the eastern influence is clear and the playing highly impressive.
Last year Myrath were playing one of the smaller, tented stages at the Hellfest Festival in France and brought a show that would have graced a main stage headline slot! They had a full stage production including dancers, huge flames and a levitating lead singer at one point!
This might have been a bit over the top for some but summed up Myrath perfectly. They have big songs and even bigger ideas on how to present them live and are not short on confidence in their collective abilities, and rightly so.
‘Karma’ will only serve to further the Myrath cause and is an epic rock record in every sense. ****
Review by Dave Wilson
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