INTERVIEW: Tunisian metal band Myrath ready to ‘Endure the Silence’

Image: Myrath’s new CD/DVD compilation is called Live in Carthage. Image courtesy of the band / Provided by Atom Splitter PR with permission.

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During the coronavirus pandemic, the music world has largely gone quiet. Concerts and tours have been canceled, and the prospects of opening up anytime soon are bleak.

The world of heavy metal has particularly been impacted. The head-banging audience members have been silenced, and the bands are staying home and waiting until the crisis subsides.

Thankfully there are numerous new albums to pore over, re-creating in one’s mind what it was like when everyone headed to the concert halls of the world and banged along to the anthems of the day.

One of the newest offerings is the CD/DVD compilation Live in Carthage, the first-ever live album from Tunisian heavy metal outfit Myrath. They are pioneers of the so-called desert metal sound, coupling throbbing licks with North African and Middle Eastern rhythms. The resulting music is original and welcomely familiar.

Last year, they released a new studio album, the acclaimed Shehili, and this year, they are offering live versions of some of their most well-known numbers. On the Carthage recording, fans can expect renditions of “Believer,” “Dance,” “Get Your Freedom Back” and “Endure the Silence,” according to press notes.

Recently the members of Myrath exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox about their recent successes. The band consists of Zaher Zorgati on lead vocals, Malek Ben Arbia on guitars, Anis Join on bass, Elyes Bouchoucha on keyboards and Morgan Berthet on drums. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.

What’s the metal scene like in Tunisia?

Growing bigger every year, doing better than few years ago. Metal’s been here in Tunsia for 30 years and will always be there, but we’re really happy to see it’s growing like that.

What inspired you to create the album Shehili?

We were already thinking about Shehili while doing Legacy, so it was pretty natural. One couldn’t really exist without the other. Songs from both albums are linked. Our video clips are linked. We just tried to do better. 

Do you believe the Live in Carthage album captures the live energy of the band?

When we’re all together, doing what we love for people that we love, I think there’s a special energy. On stage you deliver something for people that came to see you, people who came to have fun. You’re only purpose is to give it to them, and I think, I hope you can see that on the DVD. I can’t say making people happy impacts the quality of our music, but it does motivate us. It does motivate us to be happy together when we play, and maybe you can hear it. … I’m sure you can see it when you come to our shows; that’s certain.

Myrath’s ‘Believer’ is still a powerful tune. What inspired that song?

We tend to be positive. We try to heal ourselves with our music, and we try to do the same with those who listen to us. That song is an anthem for those who doubt, who are scared, who want to give up, who suffer. That’s what led us for that tune — believe and carry on. 

What do you think of metal music scene in 2020? Is it strong? Weak?

It is strong. It’s been affected recently, but just like every other scene around the globe. The difference might be that in metal music, there are real fans; by that I mean those who followed you and supported you years ago, still do today and will in 10 years from now. We had to cancel our tour and many other shows, but when we see the kind of support we’re getting, we clearly can see that scene is far from being weak, not even close, and we thank our fans for that.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Myrath’s new CD/DVD is called Live in Carthage. Click here for more information.