Arrayan Path - 'Thus Always to Tyrants' (album stream)

«Ο Ευαγόρας, (Εὐαγόρας), ήταν Έλληνας βασιλιάς της αρχαίας Σαλαμίνας στην Κύπρο (περίπου 435 - 374 π.Χ.). Η οικογένεια του βασίλευε στη Σαλαμίνα από την εποχή του Τεύκρου ιδρυτή και πρώτου βασιλιά της πόλης» μας πληροφορεί η wikipedia.

Σύμφωνα με τον πανηγυρικό του Ισοκράτη, ο Ευαγόρας ήταν ένα πρότυπο ηγεμόνα, του οποίου στόχος ήταν να προωθήσει την ευημερία του κράτους και των υπηκόων του από την καλλιέργεια του Eλληνικού πολιτισμού.

Ο Ευαγόρας είναι το κεντρικό πρόσωπο του νέου δισκογραφικού πονήματος των Arrayan Path, το οποίο φέρει τον τίτλο "Thus Always to Tyrants" και κυκλοφόρησε σήμερα. Πρόκειται για το «Arrayan Path’s first "true" concept» σύμφωνα με την Κυπριακή μπάντα, με τον Νικόλα Λεπτό να συμπληρώνει σχετικά:

«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!»

Δελτίο τύπου: «Epic Power Metal act Arrayan Path returns with 9th 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 on CD and digital.

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. 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.»

Band: Arrayan Path
Country of origin: United States
Location: Lemesos, Cyprus
Formed in: 1997
Genre: Epic Power Metal
Lyrical themes: Mythology, Mysticism, History
Years active: 1997-2011 (as Arryan Path), 2011-present

Album: "Thus Always to Tyrants"
Type: Full length
Release date: December 9th, 2022
Label: Pitch Black Records
Format: CD, Digital

Track listing:
01. Oh Dark Tears (Aftermath)
02. The Usurper
03. The King’s Aegis... They Came From the Taygetos Mountains
04. The Battle of Cnidus
05. Artaxerxes II Mnemon
06. Crossing Over to Phoenicia
07. In Salamis
08. Raid of the Achaemenids
09. 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)

Band members:
Miguel Trapezaris - Bass
Socrates Leptos - Guitars
Christoforos Gavriel - Guitars
Nicholas Leptos - Vocals
Stefan Dittrich - Drums (Guest/Session)

Miscellaneous staff:
Giannis Nakos - Cover art
Simone Mularoni - Mixing, Mastering
Slava Selin - Producer