Arrayan Path – Ira Imperium (2011)

Nicholas Leptos and company return with yet another impressive Power Metal release that any fan of the genre should not miss. With “Ira Imperium”, the band looks to establish themselves as one of the best bands in the genre and the have the music to do so. Featuring 13 tracks of very well crafted music filled with catchy guitar melodies and impressive vocal harmonies, Arrayan Path is clearly one the best ‘relatively unknown’ bands of this genre.

Getting down to business since the opener track “Dies Irae”, we get a glimpse of the band’s abilities to create powerful music that feels fresher than most Power Metal we get these days. With a strong Greek/Mediterranean influence in the band’s sound, you are guaranteed to step away form the traditional Power Metal sound we are all accustomed to. Nicholas Leptos nicely leads the band’s characteristic sound and in the second track “Gnosis of Prometheus” this is very evident, especially on the chorus section.

The regional influences are made present in the opening of “Kiss of Kali”, and this greatly enhances the band’s already rich sound. While they do not depend on any kind of gimmick, it is very nice to hear something different to European/Scandinavian sounding Power Metal. The keyboards through this release are excellent and they greatly shine on songs like “77 Days til Doomsday” and “Hollow Eyes of Nefertiti”.

The guitar work in “Ira Imperium” is top notch and while never overly exaggerated, the solos and melodies of tracks like “Emir of the Faithful” and “I Sail Across the Seven Seas” are just excellent. The choir-like sections on tracks like “The Fall of Mardonius” are just another extra element that make this band sound very interesting and dynamic. The drumming through this release is very well developed and allows the album and songs to nicely flow.

If you are looking for a different Power Metal release, you should definitely give Arrayan Path a chance and get “Ira Imperium”. This album is full of surprises and there are very cool sections to be heard in this release. Nicholas Leptos is a great singer and has allowed the band to nicely develop their own unique sound around his powerful pipes.

Release: November 4th, 2011

Country: Cyprus