Nawather are working on a new album, the follow-up to Kenz Illusion, released in 2021.
The band confirmed the news in an interview published in the June 2026 issue of the AFRICA.ROCKS digital magazine, now available through ZINIO.
“we really want to do this album justice and get it right.”
“We have officially started writing the new album”, vocalist and lyricist Raouf comments. “The core concept and the vision for this next release are already locked in, but it is going to take a bit of time because we really want to do this album justice and get it right. We are pouring everything into perfecting every detail, so we are taking our time to ensure it meets our expectations and delivers something truly powerful for our listeners.”
For Raouf, the longer writing process reflects how Nawather have changed since their early years. The band are approaching the new material with more patience, giving the songs time to develop before deciding that they are finished: “More than anything, it is about maturity and a strong desire to do things right without falling into the trap of rushing. Kenz Illusion was a massive step for us, but with this new material, we are approaching the songwriting with a lot more patience and experience. We are not in a hurry to just put something out. We are letting the music breathe and evolve naturally. That maturity is shaping a more refined, deliberate sound, while still keeping the core identity of what makes Nawather who we are.”
That identity remains tied to the relationship between metal and Tunisian music. The qanûn has been part of Nawather’s sound since the beginning, shaping the guitars, melodies and vocal arrangements from inside the writing process: “Right from the very beginning, when we formed Nawather, our goal was to integrate a permanent Oriental instrument. We wanted something that would not just be an occasional guest, but a core part of our sound, something that gives us a specific sonic imprint and creates a truly unique atmosphere. Bringing the qanûn into the mix completely reshaped our approach. Instead of just writing standard metal riffs and adding melodies on top, we now compose with the qanûn in mind. Its intricate phrasing and haunting texture naturally guide our guitar work, influence our vocal lines and allow us to weave a dark, melancholic atmosphere that is uniquely our own.”
Nawather also intend to preserve the use of both English and Tunisian dialect on the next album. That duality sits alongside the contrast between Ryma Nakkach’s clean vocals and the Raouf’s growls, as well as between the guitars and traditional melodies: “Since our very beginning, we have always wanted to maintain this core duality: the Tunisian dialect alongside English. It is just like our contrast between clean female vocals and masculine growls, or heavy metal riffs blended with traditional Tunisian and Oriental melodies. So, even as the band reaches more international listeners outside our region, we are fully committed to keeping that duality between English lyrics and our native Tunisian dialect. It is an essential part of our identity that we will never drop.”
The album does not yet have a confirmed title or release date.
The full interview with Nawather appears in the June 2026 issue of AFRICA.ROCKS Magazine, available now through ZINIO.
Nawather will also perform at Motocultor Festival in France this August, placing the Tunisian band in front of one of its largest European audiences to date.
