Thus Always To Tyrants
Pitch Black, 2022
8/10
Listen to Thus Always To Tyrants
The Cyprus metal veterans Arrayan Path return with their 9th album, and though it still retains their signature power metal ideas, it also brings in some surprises and many guest musicians, including Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery), Paolo Viani (Warlord), Enzo Donnaruma (Enzo and the Glory Ensemble), Louis Syrimis (Zivanished, Infected Syren), Harrys Pari (Minus One) and the lyre player Christina Polycarpou.
“Oh Dark Tears (Aftermath)” starts the listen with a very mature and melodic opening that even welcomes strings, but abruptly shifts into a booming and powerful metal delivery that soars high, and “The Usurper” follows with giant riffs, pounding drums and a retro-metal appeal that’s both tuneful and hard hitting.
In the middle, the chugging “The Battle Of Cnidus” carries a symphonic feel amid its thick and energetic textures, while “Crossing Over To Phoenicia” touches on thrash metal ideas alongside the singing versus shouting and very dynamic musicianship.
Approaching the end, the vocally strong and bristling “Of Royal Ancestry” is the best tune with its speedy, ominous and busy formula, and “Army Of The Myrmidons- Return To Troy Pt. II (Origins)” ends the formal disc (there are 2 bonus tracks) with an emotive and expressive finish.
A concept listen that examines the story of King Evagoras, the ruler of the Kingdom of Salamis in Cyprus, and his life, death, wars, achievements and a short aftermath, and the band’s melodic metal that’s sort of theatric, hints at operatic and is entirely nostalgic and intense sure does tell that story well.
Travels well with: Age Of Wolves- Age Of Wolves; Hunted- Deliver us