Arrayan Path: Apxeronoi (Archegonoi) (2 CDs)

Arrayan Path is a Greek symphonic metal band who have been around for a number of years now. They actually formed in the US but soon moved back to Greece. Their most recent effort, released in2018, is titled Apxeronoi which can be translated to Archegonoi (Greek for Ancient-Born).

As you might have guessed given the album name and some of the song titles there is an underlying theme of ancient Greece. I have always been fascinated by ancient civilizations so this really had my interest piqued.

The music is very dramatic but never gets too over the top and is generally very tastefully executed. The sound encompasses Mediterranean, Egyptian and Middle Eastern elements into their brand of exotic sounding symphonic/power metal. Strong and powerful lead vocals, gang vocals and choirs permeate the disc adding a tremendous variety to the band’s metal brew. The music is laid out over a sprawling two disc set with a total of fourteen tracks beginning with “Weaving The Web Of Destiny� where pretty orchestrations merge into a sweeping epic sound with chugging riffs and a catchy vocal arrangement. I should add the vocals are very strong throughout the disc, very melodic and often quite powerful. The second track “Rod Of Asclepius� is heavy and catchy with a good dose of crunch. Exotic choirs with a Middle Eastern tinge begin “Seven Against Thebes�, another heavily orchestrated slice of metal. A sweet outro of acoustic guitar takes the song home. More exotic flavours round out the slower paced “The Words Of Menelaus� with its moody atmosphere and heavy guitars.

The second disc begins with the bombastic “Lion Of Amphipolis�, another melodic gem, followed by “Blood Of The Sphinx�, a journey into more traditional metal but with a larger than life vocal arrangement and a dreamy acoustical interlude. The heavy and dramatic “Nemesis� with its razor sharp guitar riffs and the fast paced “Eastern Sands� are more solid epic metal tracks. I really dig the Eastern flavoured melodies found throughout the disc.

After listening to Archegonoi a few times now I am finding more to like each and every time.

A highly recommended release courtesy of Pitch Black Records.

Track Listing:
CD 1
1. Weaving The Web Of Destiny
2. Rod Of Asclepius
3. Seven Against Thebes
4. Sins Of Pandora
5. The Words Of Menelaus
6. Bellerophon (Forged By The Blacksmith)
7. Thisbe’s Blooded Veil

CD 2
1. Lion Of Amphipolis
2. Blood Of The Sphinx
3. Nemesis
4. Eastern Sands
5. Where The Hydra Hides
6. King Of Argos
7. Thermopylae 480 B.C.

Added: September 3rd 2019
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Facebook Page
Hits: 1768
Language: english

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