Another interview from the first issue of Lonely road. Arryan Path (now spelled Arrayan Path) have been one of the best kept secrets of epic/lyrical power metal for more than a decade and their second album ''Terra incognita'' released in 2010 was the first step into the light. Right now the band is ready to record two albums for the near future and has secured the participation of the great Tony Martin on the first of the two albums, ''Ira Imperium'', to be released in September 2011. Check out some samples of their music and then read the full interview I did with the band about a year ago for the release of the then new album.
Road to Macedonia (Road to Macedonia-2001)
Minas Tirith (Terra incognita-2010)
Elegy (Terra incognita-2010)
LONELY ROAD INTERVIEW (issue No1)
One of the best Greek bands strikes back after many years storming in from the martyric island of Cyprus. Arryan Path carry a long history but have only a few releases so far. Obviously they know better when to pick the moment to surprise us again with their epic and lyrical music. Singer and founder Nikolas Leptos presents us their new release ‘’Terra incognita’’.
We were beginning to believe we will never hear another Arryan path album since in the meantime both Prodigal Earth and Diptheria had new albums out. What changed so that you got to ‘’Terra incognita’’?
Nothing special. Arryan Path were put on hold because of an equally interesting band, Prodigal Earth, and then I just felt ready for a new Arryan path album. I started collecting ideas and songs and here we are!
Which are the musical differences between the three bands you recently sung with (Arryan Path, Prodigal Earth, Diptheria)?
Quite many, although all are in the field of classic metal. Diptheria have more doom elements and they are closer to the traditional metal sound. Arryan Path play epic with choirs and stuff, while Prodigal Earth are closer to Maiden with just a few progressive elements.
Arryan Path had made a good name in the underground even during their demo years and all were awaiting the time when you would show the full spectre of your potential. Do you think you already did that with your official debut ‘’Road to Maceonia’’ (2004) or is it happening with your last album?
I think it’s with both albums, although I want to think that the albums that are about to follow will be even better!
Contrary to ‘’Road to Macedonia’’ the new album has a more consistent style. Is this happening because the songs were written in a smaller period of time or did you decide on a given musical direction?
The songs from the first album had a different sound between them. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t sound like having a focused style. I think with the new album we added some new elements which will also appear on next releases. The important thing is that both albums have songs which you wouldn’t call typical epic metal. For some this might be a drawback. Not for me though.
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard anything of your previous releases?
Melodic epic metal with catchy choruses.
Would I be exaggerating if I said that lyricism and melody are the nucleus of your music?
Not at all! You are right on target! Still we received some complaints that we were more lyrical on our first album, haha.
‘’Terra incognita’’ is a very fresh release. I wonder if you have already picked some favorites and if you have chosen the songs that will be on you live set list permanently.
We have already played Molon lave and Minas Tirith at Up the Hammers festival in Greece and they came out great! Of course the songs I like aren’t necessarily the ones that are best suited for a live show. Personally I love Cassiopeia. Other favorites of mine are Ishtar, Elegy and Angel with no destination and I think all four of them are great to be played live.
There are a lot of folk melodies in your songs and especially oriental ones. Is this kind of music a part of the greek dna?
Oriental music that has influenced me is obviously not the buzuki type of music, but Rainbow, Iron Maiden, Malmsteen, Vengeance and Artillery. I realize though that ‘’Terra incognita’’ gives that kind of impression.
You worked with Vaggelis Maranis (singer for german prog/power metal band Sanvoisen), both in the production which took place in his studio in Germany as in the vocals, since he sings on the song Cassiopeia. Teel us a few things about this cooperation and the experience of the recordings.
Vaggelis has always been one of my favorite singers and it was an honor singing a duet with him! The guy has a voice from another planet! He is unbelievably comfortable with high notes and very professional! I couldn’t but take advantage of the opportunity to have him sing on the album!
After the experience of recording abroad, in a country with a higher professional level than Cyprus and the rest of Greece, have you decided to do all future recordings abroad? I’d like to, although I don’t know if it’s possible. We’ll see, I hope so!
Do you expect the album to break the borders of the underground scene or is this too difficult for a Greek band, so you just make music for the purpose of self expression?
No, we don’t have the slightest ambition of becoming famous around the world. Of course if something like that came up we would love it, but we are making no plans about becoming famous. After so many years I still haven’t seen a Greek heavy metal band become really successful abroad, actually not even within Greece. Why is that? Can the new generation of bands change that or is this misery our fate?
Let me put it this way: did Sweden, traditionally among the elite metal scenes with lots of famous groups, have a guitarist playing with Ozzy? It’s a matter of luck. It’s not easy to become famous whatever country you may come from. There are so many groups. Gamma Ray sold 5.000 copies of ‘’Land of the free pt. 2’’. If this album had been released 10 or 15 years before it would sell 100.000. Whoever managed to become famous in time is lucky, that’s it. Now things have gotten tougher.
You recently played at the Up the Hammers festival in Greece, a festival that has become an institution for underground fans in Greece, but also attracts a lot of fans from all over Europe. How was this experience? I think most fans who attended the show think you were the best band of the festival’s first day.
Yeah, that’s what they told us too! The fans were unbelievable and we had a great time onstage. Maybe one of the best shows I ever played!
Are you planning of doing a headline show on Greek mainland? I don’t know if the number of fans will match the quality of the band, but you have a lot of fans over here.
I know and we really want to come over, but it’s not the easiest thing for a small band like us to suddenly get on a plane and go play somewhere. If a promoter can bring us there’s no way we would ever say no!
Now something irrelevant to music. You come from the martyric island of Cyprus. During the last years there have been some negotiations for the resolving of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus. Is there any chance after all that a viable and fair solution will come up? What do you think about the situation that has been created from ’74 and on?
Do you know how many negotiations were held for the resolving of the Cyprus issue? Uncountable! It always falls apart in the end. There’s a bitter opposition, there’s a fear the solution will destroy us, so they all are advancing slowly and carefully, till our generation gets old and no one cares anymore! It’s sad. Unfortunately the people have changed from ’74 till now. Everyone is just watching after himself and his wellbeing. There’s no honor and dignity anymore. People have become rude, arrogant and evil. I guess it’s the same in Greece.
Send your message to our readers.
Thanks for all! Give Terra Incognita a chance and you won’t regret it. Hope we see you all in Greece again!
We were beginning to believe we will never hear another Arryan path album since in the meantime both Prodigal Earth and Diptheria had new albums out. What changed so that you got to ‘’Terra incognita’’?
Nothing special. Arryan Path were put on hold because of an equally interesting band, Prodigal Earth, and then I just felt ready for a new Arryan path album. I started collecting ideas and songs and here we are!
Which are the musical differences between the three bands you recently sung with (Arryan Path, Prodigal Earth, Diptheria)?
Quite many, although all are in the field of classic metal. Diptheria have more doom elements and they are closer to the traditional metal sound. Arryan Path play epic with choirs and stuff, while Prodigal Earth are closer to Maiden with just a few progressive elements.
Arryan Path had made a good name in the underground even during their demo years and all were awaiting the time when you would show the full spectre of your potential. Do you think you already did that with your official debut ‘’Road to Maceonia’’ (2004) or is it happening with your last album?
I think it’s with both albums, although I want to think that the albums that are about to follow will be even better!
Contrary to ‘’Road to Macedonia’’ the new album has a more consistent style. Is this happening because the songs were written in a smaller period of time or did you decide on a given musical direction?
The songs from the first album had a different sound between them. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t sound like having a focused style. I think with the new album we added some new elements which will also appear on next releases. The important thing is that both albums have songs which you wouldn’t call typical epic metal. For some this might be a drawback. Not for me though.
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard anything of your previous releases?
Melodic epic metal with catchy choruses.
Would I be exaggerating if I said that lyricism and melody are the nucleus of your music?
Not at all! You are right on target! Still we received some complaints that we were more lyrical on our first album, haha.
‘’Terra incognita’’ is a very fresh release. I wonder if you have already picked some favorites and if you have chosen the songs that will be on you live set list permanently.
We have already played Molon lave and Minas Tirith at Up the Hammers festival in Greece and they came out great! Of course the songs I like aren’t necessarily the ones that are best suited for a live show. Personally I love Cassiopeia. Other favorites of mine are Ishtar, Elegy and Angel with no destination and I think all four of them are great to be played live.
There are a lot of folk melodies in your songs and especially oriental ones. Is this kind of music a part of the greek dna?
Oriental music that has influenced me is obviously not the buzuki type of music, but Rainbow, Iron Maiden, Malmsteen, Vengeance and Artillery. I realize though that ‘’Terra incognita’’ gives that kind of impression.
You worked with Vaggelis Maranis (singer for german prog/power metal band Sanvoisen), both in the production which took place in his studio in Germany as in the vocals, since he sings on the song Cassiopeia. Teel us a few things about this cooperation and the experience of the recordings.
Vaggelis has always been one of my favorite singers and it was an honor singing a duet with him! The guy has a voice from another planet! He is unbelievably comfortable with high notes and very professional! I couldn’t but take advantage of the opportunity to have him sing on the album!
After the experience of recording abroad, in a country with a higher professional level than Cyprus and the rest of Greece, have you decided to do all future recordings abroad? I’d like to, although I don’t know if it’s possible. We’ll see, I hope so!
Do you expect the album to break the borders of the underground scene or is this too difficult for a Greek band, so you just make music for the purpose of self expression?
No, we don’t have the slightest ambition of becoming famous around the world. Of course if something like that came up we would love it, but we are making no plans about becoming famous. After so many years I still haven’t seen a Greek heavy metal band become really successful abroad, actually not even within Greece. Why is that? Can the new generation of bands change that or is this misery our fate?
Let me put it this way: did Sweden, traditionally among the elite metal scenes with lots of famous groups, have a guitarist playing with Ozzy? It’s a matter of luck. It’s not easy to become famous whatever country you may come from. There are so many groups. Gamma Ray sold 5.000 copies of ‘’Land of the free pt. 2’’. If this album had been released 10 or 15 years before it would sell 100.000. Whoever managed to become famous in time is lucky, that’s it. Now things have gotten tougher.
You recently played at the Up the Hammers festival in Greece, a festival that has become an institution for underground fans in Greece, but also attracts a lot of fans from all over Europe. How was this experience? I think most fans who attended the show think you were the best band of the festival’s first day.
Yeah, that’s what they told us too! The fans were unbelievable and we had a great time onstage. Maybe one of the best shows I ever played!
Are you planning of doing a headline show on Greek mainland? I don’t know if the number of fans will match the quality of the band, but you have a lot of fans over here.
I know and we really want to come over, but it’s not the easiest thing for a small band like us to suddenly get on a plane and go play somewhere. If a promoter can bring us there’s no way we would ever say no!
Now something irrelevant to music. You come from the martyric island of Cyprus. During the last years there have been some negotiations for the resolving of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus. Is there any chance after all that a viable and fair solution will come up? What do you think about the situation that has been created from ’74 and on?
Do you know how many negotiations were held for the resolving of the Cyprus issue? Uncountable! It always falls apart in the end. There’s a bitter opposition, there’s a fear the solution will destroy us, so they all are advancing slowly and carefully, till our generation gets old and no one cares anymore! It’s sad. Unfortunately the people have changed from ’74 till now. Everyone is just watching after himself and his wellbeing. There’s no honor and dignity anymore. People have become rude, arrogant and evil. I guess it’s the same in Greece.
Send your message to our readers.
Thanks for all! Give Terra Incognita a chance and you won’t regret it. Hope we see you all in Greece again!
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