Epic Power Metal act Arrayan Path returns with their 9th studio album, 2 years after the release of the highly acclaimed “The Marble Gates to Apeiron”.
The band’s new opus is titled “Thus Always to Tyrants” and it will be out on December 9th, 2022, on CD and digital, via Pitch Black Records.
Musically, the new album is one of the band’s strongest efforts to date; one that includes several style variations that go beyond the usual epic-power style that the band has become known for. A couple of surprises are also included that are in a style unlike anything the band has done before.
“Thus Always to Tyrants” is also Arrayan Path’s first “true” concept album in that the tracklisting follows the story in chronological order. The story is that of King Evagoras, the ruler of the Kingdom of Salamis in Cyprus.
Frontman Nicholas Leptos and the band’s driving force comments:
“We decided to address a great moment in the history of our country, Cyprus, and tell the tale of King Evagoras (one of the most important figures in Cypriot history). He was the ruler of the Kingdom of Salamis (not to be confused with the island of Salamis in Greece) and a brave warrior, politician and admirer of Hellenistic culture at the time (end of 5th century B.C. to beginning of 4th century B.C.). The chronicle covers the origins of the story, the King’s life, death, wars, achievements and a short aftermath. There will be Usurpers, there will be Persians, there will be Spartans, battles and sieges, there will be blood”!
The new album features some guest appearances all of them contributing significantly to an astonishing result that is, above all, epic! These include Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery), Paolo Viani (Warlord), Enzo Donnaruma (Enzo and the Glory Ensemble), Louis Syrimis (Zivanished, Infected Syren), Harrys Pari (Minus One) and talented lyre player Christina Polycarpou.
Recorded at Take Away Studios in Cyprus, the album was produced by Slava Selin, while mixing and mastering was handled by Simone Mularoni at Domination studios in San Marino. Selin and Mularoni have each also contributed a lead solo. Cover and artwork by Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design.
Check out the lyric video for the new single “Of Royal Ancestry” below.
Pre-order “Thus Always to Tyrants” here.
Tracklist:
1. Oh Dark Tears (Aftermath)
2. The Usurper
3. The King’s Aegis… They Came From the Taygetos Mountains
4. The Battle of Cnidus
5. Artaxerxes II Mnemon
6. Crossing Over to Phoenicia
7. In Salamis
8. Raid of the Achaemenids
9. Of Royal Ancestry
10. The Legend of Evagoras
11. Army of the Myrmidons – Return to Troy Pt. II (Origins)
12. Deny/Destroy (Parts I & II): From a King to a King (CD bonus)
13. Ancient Winds (CD bonus)
Line-up:
Nicholas Leptos – Vocals
Socrates Leptos – Guitars
Christoforos Gavriel – Guitars
Miguel Trapezaris – Bass
Stefan Dittrich – Drums
Weblinks:
www.facebook.com/arrayanpath
arrayanpath.ecwid.com
