Tunisian Progressive Metal band Myrath are set ton release their sixth studio album entitled Karma on March 8th. The band’s producer/keyboardist Kevin Codfert took the time to talk with Metal Express Radio about their upcoming album, the Metal scene in Tunisia, their iconic show at the Theatre of Carthage, and more. Check out the chat below!
Metal Express Radio: Myrath are set to release their sixth studio album entitled Karma on March 8th, what can you tell fans about the upcoming release?
Codfert: We are really looking forward to introducing this new opus to our fans. This album means a lot to us and was composed in a very unique way. During the closure of borders in the context of the pandemic, we were on a European tour and performing in Leipzig, a city in Germany. Governments asked their citizens to return home as quickly as possible, which I was able to do in less than 48 hours. Unfortunately, not all members of the band had this opportunity, especially the three Tunisian members who had nowhere to go. I offered them to come to my home to find a solution, a solution that took us 6 months to figure out. So, we took advantage of this situation to work together on this album and seize the unique opportunity of being all in the same room. It makes a huge difference when it comes to producing music. Every morning, I had the band members in front of me, and we could test many ideas in real-time with instant feedback on the emotions that this chemistry could evoke. We had the opportunity to take a more minimalist approach but at the same time, a richer one thanks to human interactions. This gave a very special flavor to the album, and I think that after several listens, fans will be able to grasp all the subtleties that we wanted to communicate through this album.
MER: How was the writing and recording process being your band’s sixth album?
Codfert: As explained, the process was really different from previous albums. Concerning the previous albums, and notably for geographical reasons, we always worked in a very digital manner. For example, here is what we used to do: I would come up with a chorus idea or a riff, and then I would send it by email to the band members, who would, in turn, try out new things and send back the completed idea. It’s a surprising process because one tends to think that a band locks themselves up together for months to compose, but generally, thanks to new technology, it’s possible to work remotely and achieve good results after a series of iterations. Ultimately, even though it’s strange, COVID is what brought us closer together to compose in a process that is actually much more natural, and we absolutely don’t regret this change. Any change in the process leads to new ideas, new ways of doing things, and it’s by stepping out of your comfort zone that you can innovate and offer something different
MER: Myrath have released a few singles from the album so far, what kind of feedback have you been able to receive?
Codfert: We have received very positive feedback, and what is most pleasing is to see that many fans have been able to sense the change in our way of composing. We have had a lot of good feedback on the song “Child of Prophecy”, where fans have expressed their feelings about more contemporary and groovy guitar parts, but also on songs like “Candles Cry”, which addresses real societal issues. As a composer, there is always a little apprehension when presenting something that people are not accustomed to hearing, but this apprehension disappears within seconds as the singles are released. I would say that we are really happy with the overall feedback and are eagerly looking forward to playing the new tracks live on stage.
MER: What do you see as far as plans for you and the rest of your band after the album release?
Codfert: We will now focus on the composition of the next album. We have quite a few ideas, always with the intention of innovating, and there are still worlds we want to explore. I’m thinking particularly about Indian folklore, film music, or certain African grooves that we haven’t yet integrated into our music. Composing music is a bit like running a research laboratory in my opinion. You have to test things. Some work, others don’t, but the possibilities are almost infinite. I feel like we have only scratched the surface of a gigantic ocean of ideas. One of the things we will also focus on is the live aspect, starting with festivals this summer and then with a series of concerts as part of various tours around the world
MER: How would you describe the Metal scene in Tunisia?
Codfert: Having made hundreds of round trips to Tunisia, I can say that the music scene there is small but very loyal. There isn’t really much infrastructure for music or international development, so the potential is unfortunately limited. However, there are about a dozen talented bands that could use a boost because they truly deserve it.
MER: In 2017, Myrath played a show at the iconic Theatre of Carthage in Tunisia, how was that experience?
Codfert: Playing in this mythical amphitheater is always a unique experience. We have played there four times, and my first time was as the opening act for Robert Plant a few years ago. Playing at Carthage is a way of paying tribute to the Metal communities in Tunisia, who don’t have the chance to see many concerts there, and I consider Myrath to have become a sort of ambassador for metal music. Playing in Tunisia is always a fantastic experience; the live reaction from the fans is quite unique, and it’s very difficult to find this kind of energy in other countries around the world.
MER: Who do you hope to tour with and why?
Codfert: I believe it’s important that we offer as many headline gigs as possible. While it’s certainly great to showcase our music as an opening act for various bands, it can be limiting when we aim to provide a truly immersive experience. I think for the years 2024-2025, we will focus on organizing headline tours, allowing us to control stage setups, time on stage, and the overall experience we want to offer our audience.
MER: Is there anywhere you hope to play live that you haven’t yet and why?
Codfert: There are territories in the world that we want to explore, especially in Asia. We have played several times in Japan, and the experience has been fantastic. However, we also want to perform in territories where the band is eagerly anticipated, such as China, Indonesia, Australia, etc. A band gains legitimacy when it meets its fans, so it is extremely important to be able to play as much as possible, everywhere it’s feasible. Metal music is an international genre, not necessarily ‘mainstream’ in the traditional sense, but it’s a genre listened to all around the world. It’s up to us to go and meet each fan on this planet.
MER: Out of Myrath’s six album’s, what is one you would suggest to a new fan and why?
Codfert: It’s a difficult question because it depends on each fan’s sensitivity. I would say that Karma is an excellent album to start listening to the band’s music. Also, for fans of more progressive music, I recommend the albums Desert Call and Tales of the Sands. It’s ultimately challenging to choose because each of our albums was composed for a very specific reason, in a particular context, with emotions unique to it. So, I would say that to get a complete idea of the band, it’s enough to listen to the entire discography.
MER: Myrath has been a band for over twenty years, what do you see has been the key to the longevity of the band?
Codfert: The key to longevity in a band is respect, resilience, and hard work. A music band is ultimately like a couple. It’s impossible to spend 20 years together without disagreements or conflicts, but if the foundations are solid, it can work. I tend to say that the most important thing is respect and a shared vision.
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