ALBUM REVIEW: Thus Always To Tyrants – Arrayan Path

Even by power metal standards, Thus Always To Tyrants is really nerdy. The ninth album by veteran four-piece ARRAYAN PATH is a huge concept record that may be the most challenging the genre has produced this year. It’s based on the life of Evagoras I, the ancient ruler of Salamis and is a dense, intimidating piece of work. This is an album that speaks of pitched battles between massed ranks of spearmen, pre-Christian heroes and epic deeds.

And just like a tightly packed, Hoplite shield wall, it’s almost impossible to get into on the first attempt. Power metal may be enjoying renewed popularity nowadays, but these guys do not have the crossover leanings of bands like HAMMERFALL. Thus Always To Tyrants is long, intimidating and will likely alienate more people than it attracts. The individual tracks are complex and there’s barely a hook in sight. It’s like listening to a massive historical drama, but one that was directed by Terence Malick rather than Ridley Scott. However, if you approach it with the right degree of patience, it’s also rewarding.

Tracks like The Legend Of Evagoras, or the preposterously over-titled The King’s Aegis…They Came From The Taygetos Mountains are crammed full of galloping riffs and tales of grandiose heroism, but they prefer elaborate musicianship to catchy choruses. The Battle Of Cnidus is comfortable taking its time and unfolds gradually, while Artaxerxes II Of Mnemon sounds like it’s been worked on since the days of Alexander The Great. If SABATON are history geeks, these guys make them look like rank amateurs. This is historical power metal that’s so in-depth, you’d need a PhD to appreciate everything.

It’s only the upbeat Crossing Over To Phoenicia with its repeated “blood” chant that has any chance of mass appeal, everything else is too magisterial and unforgiving. Once you’ve devoted a few hours to it though, Thus Always To Tyrants starts to reveal its treasures. It’s then that the songs start to resemble individual pieces of a vast tapestry, and you notice the intricate melodies guiding everything. ARRAYAN PATH don’t compromise on their ambition either; there’s no hint of a radio single or even the slightest intention of securing a good festival slot. This is progressive-minded power metal for diehards, jocks and anyone with an IQ under 140 can leave the hall.

This is also why ARRAYAN PATH have largely flown under the radar despite being active for over two decades. They’re only ever going to attract a niche audience, but to be fair they’re probably okay with that. Someone’s got to make music for people who spend years in libraries, forensically dissecting The Iliad, and these guys are damn good at it.

Rating: 6/10

Thus Always To Tyrants is set for release on December 9th via Pitch Black Records.

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