Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Light always prevails, even in the darkest moment, the salvation of redeeming light is one in which a path is offered, a trail blazed. The light should always be seen as a way out of the darkness and each time it takes a soul from its torment it adds yet another chapter to its story, the Chronicles of Light is one held in the hand with passion.
It is a light, one of powerful intrigue and metal direction that makes Chronicles of Light such a conduit of fascination and a deserving follow up to 2013’s IV Stigmata for Arrayan Path and one that binds the listener even tighter to the power metal chords on display and the signs of explosive delight as each song sends shivers of destruction down the spine.
When an album is able to kick you in the stomach, when it is able to deliver blow after controlled blow, the dynamite of expression strong enough to breach even the hardened dissenting voice, and yet throughout with the care and attention needed to make the listener understand the depth of feeling running the through the band’s veins and the sentiment and opinion that springs forth in the tracks.
With Nicholas Leptos offering the type of musical growl that some bands of a similar calling would die for and Paris Lambrou, Socrates Leptos, Stefen Dittrich and Alex Kleidaras giving a polished and dramatic sense of purpose to the new album, Arrayan Path insist themselves upon the listener’s time like a poetic whale out for revenge on anyone who was foolish enough to pick a fight. In tracks such as Gabriel Is Rising, The Distorted Looking-Glass, the cohesive nature of Ignore The Pain and the pounding drama of Lex Talionis, Arrayan Path have conjured up something special, an album in which all the elements of power metal flow without hindrance and into the light of acceptance.
Chronicles of Light sees Arrayan Path arrive unhindered and with glory on their side, the illumination they offer is graceful as it is gloriously heavy.
Chronicles of Light is released on February 5th through Pitch Black Records.
Ian D. Hall