TALES OF THE SANDS

Myrath created here the perfect combination of oriental atmospheres and Prog metal so far, and since I'm living in this part of the world it touches me like no one before due to the old and continuous disappointments with Arab's and oriental music scene, I think Myrath paved the way for a whole new music prospective in Arab countries and we will notice a bunch of bands doing similarly and influenced by them in the near future.

The album is highly melodic with rich, lush arrangements and stellar production created by THE Kevin Codfert, And regardless the five standard instruments, violins dominate Myrath's identity playing a big role by creating catchy melodic oriental phrases, and with the assist of "earthen hand drum" that resonates from time to time a tale of the sand image is completed.

The influence of Michael Romeo is clearly spotted in the guitarist riffage, stunning, powerful and versatile and even though the solos are not as good as the riffs in my opinion, still it fits the songs in general.

To highlight the album, all tracks are spectacular especially "Under Siege" "Merciless Times" "Sour Sigh" while track 9 "Beyond the Stars" contains one of the most devilish and head banging riffage i've ever heard while the Arabic chorus with Tunisian accent enrich the surprising moments of the track followed by an oriental phrase that reminded with the masters Laco tayfa a great band from turkey.

Overall the drummer is doing a good performance with a large variety of rhythms and rolls And the bassist is adding the salt to these savory meal especially in track 4 "Tales of the Sands" where he did a powerful -right in place- bassline.

Regarding the vocalist, I think Zaher will have a place beside the masters of Prog scene in the future, he succeeded in impressing with his dramatic versatile performance both in Arabic and English singing to the extent that he appended a new entertaining part to me which is "Arabic singing" (actually I forgot when I last sang in Arabic while listening to music!!!)

Finally and Literally I don't give full mark unless I'm pretty sure of what I'm reviewing, and in "Tales of the sand" case I couldn't find a particular reason for not giving a 5 stars, every single moment of the album is fantastic in its own right and I urge all Prog metal fans to give them an ear because Myrath is like putting symphony x, adagio and kamelot in a mixer creating a delicious irresistible cocktail, and I'm one hundred percent sure that it will carry you in a spanking new trip.

cheers.

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