#6 - Top of 2019

 Myrath - Shehili (earMUSIC)

It is true that while their previous album "Legacy" nearly missed our top choices for 2016, we were really looking forward to the next work of Myrath. Tunisia's best-known metal band picks up from where its predecessor left off, this time injecting a greater amount of  straightforward and radio-friendly elements into their music while at the same time (A) honouring their influences (Pain of Salvation, Dream Theater and most importantly Symphony X) and (B) as always incorporating elements of Arabic culture in their music and lyrics. The Tunisians continue diligently in the sound they have chosen and  has now become their trademark: progressive metal full of traditional music from their country, a mix that is even more exciting than the sum of its parts when examined up close. Good examples of the excellent quality of music found in this record are the instant hit "Dance",  the awesome "Wicked Dice", the emotional "Monster In My Closet",  the majestic "No Holding Back",  the oriental proggy journey of "Lili Twil", the sweet melancholy of "Stardust" and the metallic heart of the eponymous track. However, as is almost always the case, it is really worth to listen the album in its entirety to fully appreciate what Myrath did here.  With  flawless production values and a cinematic feel that is rarely felt by contemporary bands, backed by a new company that seems to believe in them and helped put this album in many more people's ears and hearts, the band seem to be on an upward track, with excellent momentum. Now, if you excuse me I am going to press play once more!

96/100

Below are the official music videos for "Dance" and "Not Holding Back"

#32 - Top of 2017

Aeternam - Ruins of Empires (Independent)

There have been many worthy bands with oriental influences that have drawn attention to their excellent craftmanship in the last 15 years. Among the most prominent are the brutal pioneers of the scene, Orphaned Land and the more radio-friendly Myrath. Aeternam are clearly more at home with the former, rather than the latter, releasing their 3rd full length album, feature a healthy mix of oriental sound and melodic death metal in equal doses. Ruins of Empires is their first album in 5 years and is an impressive return for the band, a few months before Orphaned Land also releasing their new record "Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs". Ruins of Empires kicks off with the melodic "Damascus Gate", before shifting gears with "Paropamisadae" unleashing a death metal fury. "Sun Shield" leans on a more symphonic death metal side, eschewing the oriental elements and alternates between symphonic clean passages and thrashing death metal. "Keeper of Shangri-La" is a beautifully crafted acoustic breather, with influences ranging from European to far-eastern folk music and symphonic elements mixed throughout. "Fallen is the Simulacrum of Bel" kicks off with a choral part eerily reminiscent of Therion and influences to Swedish symphonic giants are evident throughout the track's guitar lines, truly a great song. "Colossus" blends the metalcore influences of the band with symphonic elements and intricate riffing. The follow-up "Nightfall on Numidia", brings back the oriental elements, and acts as a relaxing oriental break, with additional female vocals provided by Hind Fazazi of Manahil.  The following "Praetor of Mercury" switches again to melodic death metal, with clear influences from Septic Flesh . The closer Zadyin Arga, attempts to unify the elements present across the record, featuring everything from typical death metal breakdowns, oriental vocal lines, symphonic keys, infectious melodies and cool solos, bringing the album to a glorious end. Check the album out and support the band at their Bandcamp page here.

92/100

Below is the music video for the opener "Damascus Gate".

#5 - Top of 2013

Orphaned Land - All is One (Century Media)

Orphaned land are that special kind of band; they are a band of many talents, showing a remarkable talent of mixing traditional Eastern music with metal and orchestral elements. Their magnum opus before this album was the 2004 masterpiece Mabool, a concept album recounting the tale of Noah's Ark. Their follow-up The Way of OrWarrior was equally good if not leaning a little too much on the Eastern side of the band, showing fewer metal tendencies than its predecessor.

 Here, The band is once again in excellent form, finding once again the balance between he two main aspects of its uniqueness and producing a result at least equal, if not surpassing their best work yet. The song forms here are simple and straightforward without becoming cliched or boring. The main melodies are structured around the voice of Kobi Farhi, and as a result his great vocal performance here is what makes this album outshine its predecessor.


95/100


Below are the MVs for the title song & Brother