If on “Karma,” MYRATH was cosplaying as a power metal band with some oriental tinge to their music for “Wilderness of Mirrors,” they have gloriously returned to their roots to deliver more immersive soundscapes and even more earworm melodies. Released on March 27th, 2026, via earMUSIC, the band’s seventh studio album, “Wilderness of Mirrors,” is the logical next step in their sonic evolution and a showcase of how expansive their sound can actually be.
Where “Karma” lost me because of its streamlined sound and downplayed oriental melodies, “Wilderness of Mirrors” won me over with its vibrant songwriting and intense character. This means that they are dishing out more captivating and rich Middle Eastern melodies, more vocal harmonies and choirs from the various guests (Elize Ryd or the students from the Glanum Rock School), and more intriguing sounds from the various exotic instruments they have used to bring these songs to life (qraqeb, saz, fiddle). This makes the ten songs sound very cinematic and diverse, with a lot of elements to them and the overall sound design. And this is a double-edged sword, as, on one hand, the songs are layered and complex, but on the other hand, this makes “Wilderness of Mirrors” an album that borders on being eclectic.
While this diversity of sounds and melodies is quite refreshing and engaging, at times it can also be a bit overwhelming. Such lengthy songs as the deeply harmonious “The Funeral,” or the uplifting “Les Enfants du Soleil” (Children of the Sun) have so much going on that the instrumental and vocal melodies seem to be meandering about in a progressive framework, and the listener is just there for the ride, taking it all in. Others, like the groovy “Still the Dawn Will Come,” or the energetic and catchy “The Clown,” have a more solid melodic backbone on which to pile the lush orchestrations and impressive performances from both vocalist Zaher Zorgati and guitarist Malek Ben Arbia. In all honesty, the vocals and the guitars are exceptional throughout the album.
Among the singles, “Until the End” and “Breathing Near the Roar” thrill with their balanced mix of oriental flair and power metal edge. I really like how well Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE) sounds in this duet with Zaher, her vocals adding a touch of drama to “Until the End,” but then again, she always sounds good, no matter who she collaborates with. That’s what I call versatility and range. As for “Breathing Near the Roar,” this is a more serious and decidedly darker piece with great choirs and an infectious melodic hook that will be a killer sing-along moment. This is by far my favorite thing MYRATH released in a long while; it’s got everything that attracted me to their sound in the first place – strong melodies, some non-English lyrics, Middle Eastern sounds, and a great rhythm.
Elsewhere on the album, “Soul of My Soul” is a heart-wrenching minimalistic ballad, carried by emotive vocals, dramatic piano, and subdued strings and percussion. The final trio – the rousing “Edge of the Night,” the melodic “Echoes of the Fallen,” and the rocking “Through the Seasons” – brilliantly mix Middle Eastern orchestrations and powerful instrumentals with hooky chorus sections, and in doing, so they bring to mind the might of “Tales of the Sands” (still my favorite MYRATH album). These songs bring so much-needed balance to the album, and I can’t help but wonder why they are in the tail-end of the track listing and not higher up, especially since I feel like there’s a drop in quality in its middle part.
All things considered, “Wilderness of Mirrors” offers the listeners an immersive listening experience as the band once again play to their strengths, and thus further cement their status on the metal scene as trailblazers and innovators. Their blend of oriental flair, melodic power, and cinematic beauty still sounds fresh and interesting (to my ears at least), and I really appreciate the fact that they continue to experiment and try to expand the borders of the sound. And while some of the songs don’t quite fulfill my expectations and give the album an uneven feel, there’s a lot more that keeps things afloat, and overall, the high points outweigh the drawbacks.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
- The Funeral
- Until The End
- Breathing Near the Roar
- Les Enfants Du Soleil
- Still The Dawn Will Come
- The Clown
- Soul of My Soul
- Edge of The Night
- Echoes of The Fallen
- Through The Seasons
Lineup
- Zaher Zorgati – lead vocals
- Malek Ben Arbia – guitars
- Elyes Bouchoucha – keys
- Anis Jouini – bass
- Morgan Berthet – drums
Label
earMUSIC
