I reviewed 'Archegonoi', 'Arrayan Path's seventh album, and 2020 saw the release of its successor, 'The Marble Gates to Apeiron'. The frequency of an album every two years continues because it is the turn of 'Thus Always to Tyrants' to see the light of day at the end of 2022. And for this opus, the Cypriots have simply put forward a part of their story with the tumultuous life of the king 'Evagoras' which is the subject of 13 compositions for almost 80 minutes of listening (the last two titles being on a bonus CD not available for streaming). We therefore find an epic power metal that we knew on their last productions with a progressive aspect highlighted by many alternations of intensities and rhythms, the whole being always supported by catchy melodies immediately: attests to this the first 'Oh Dark Tears (Afternath)' which perfectly introduces the album and well images this grandiose power metal in several drawers with first of all, a quiet acoustic introduction, then with the arrival of the electric instruments, a part alternating quick verses with a unifying chorus that we want to sing along with 'Nicholas Leptos', part which is followed by a beautiful instrumental section integrating oriental sounds, the finale returning to the main theme.
In order to not inflict you a title on title (even if each deserves to be dissected), I will highlight the compositions that I remember the most with first of all, The King's Aegis… They Came from the Taygetos Mountains ' which recalls the melodic lines of 'Therion' and which is cut in two parts with a first part in the form of a grandiose procession with a slow tempo, then a second which gradually picks up the pace to offer a catchy melody with remarkable vocal arrangements. We can also mention the imposing 'Artaxerxes II Mnemon' with a good place given to a very beautiful guitar solo, the catchy 'Crossing Over to Phenicia' and its addictive chorus, 'Raid of the Achaemenids' with its oriental sounds embarking us on a beautiful exotic journey highlighting the splendour of Mediterranean civilization at the time of King Evagoas or the magnificent 'Of Royal Ancestry' (see video above) whose chorus never leaves you. The end of the album still raises the emotional slider with 'The Legend of Evagoras' which is a magnificent power ballad in which the Cypriots have integrated a much more muscular and grandiose instrumental part, then, 'Army of the Myrmidons – Return to Troy Pt. II (Origins)' shows all the band's talent for majestic epics merging power metal, sophisticated symphonic orchestrations, admirable vocal arrangements and marked influences from their past civilization (magnificent refined finale with traditional instruments).
In summary, the 'Cypriots' of Arrayan Path' certainly released their most accomplished album, combining different styles around a powerful power metal and benefiting from an irreproachable production. 'Thus Always to Tyrants' shows us a resolutely progressive aspect and, like any album of extraordinary richness and density, asks to linger over it to discover all the nooks and crannies in order to draw all the substance from it. I would add that I am increasingly making the parallel between 'Arrayan Path' and 'Therion' and, as such, I would suggest to the Cypriots that, to flesh out their vocal arrangements (which are already remarkable), to unearth their 'Lory Lewis ' which would bring a complementary register with a female presence... | |
