Melodic epic power metallers ARRAYAN PATH return with their new, fourth album, titled “IV: Stigmata”.

The band’s previous two albums have received ecstatic reviews and ratings making it into several “best of the year” shortlists by various media. Both albums have been shortlisted for IMPALA’s European Independent Album of the Year Award. All this can only mean one thing of course and that’s one highly anticipated and very promising new album!

“IV: Stigmata”, is a more “fierce” and dark album and it is a concept album dealing with religion. Everything that has defined ARRAYAN PATH over the years however – superb and very melodic compositions, passionate performances and excellent atmospheric parts and some of the best metal vocals ever – are all there, unfolded through the album’s 12 tracks.

The album’s production, mixing and mastering was handled once again by the very capable Vagelis Maranis (ex-SANVOISEN) who also created some beautiful choirs using just his own voice. More guest appearances on the album include vocals by Jimmy Mavrommatis (ARMAGEDDON), guitar solos by Kikis Apostolou (ARMAGEDDON), Alexis Kleidaras (ex-DECEPTOR) and George Kousa.

“IV: Stigmata” is released worldwide on June 10th and it will also be available through all major mp3 stores. The CD version includes a bonus track, “Mystic Moon”, which is a re-recording of the opening song of the band’s first demo. Another bonus track (“Charming Paranoia”) will be available as an exclusive download. A special edition of the album (limited to 50 numbered copies) will include the new album as a CD/cassette bundle with both covers signed by Nicholas Leptos!

The song “Midnight and the First-born Massacre” is already available for streaming and free download at www.pitchblackrecords.com while all album pre-orders from the Pitch Black Records online store will receive access to “Charming Paranoia”, the bonus download track of the album.

Track listing:
01. Clepsydra
02. The Bible Bleeds
03. Midnight and the First-born Massacre
04. Judas Iscariot
05. Stigmata
06. Cursed Canaan
07. Pharaoh’s Wish
08. Harbingers of Death
09. Disguising your Soul
10. The Storyteller
11. Mystic Moon (Bonus Track)
12. Charming Paranoia (Bonus Download Track)

“IV: Stigmata” is available for pre-order here and the special edition here.

PITCH BLACK RECORDS is extremely proud to announce the release of a compilation album featuring bands from Cyprus. The compilation is titled “Bloodbrothers II – A Compilation of Recordings by Rock/Metal Bands From Cyprus”, celebrating the legacy of the original “Bloodbrothers” compilation, released in 1997 and now considered a hard-to-find, cult classic.

Ranging from power, traditional, thrash and death metal to alternative, progressive and punk rock, “Bloodbrothers II” aims to showcase some of the most talented bands Cyprus currently has to offer. With 18 bands featured and a playing time of one hour and nineteen minutes this is as “full” a CD as it can get! If only it was possible to fit more music on one CD as we feel there are still a lot more quality bands in Cyprus.

The title of the compilation refers to the strong ties between members of the Cyprus scene. It may be a small scene but it is (and has always been) one that is very strong, proud and united, full of passion and support for one another. Turning the phrase “blood brothers” into one word is a deliberate attempt to further emphasize this strong bond that exists between the members of the Cyprus scene.

Including new and unreleased material from internationally renowned bands (such as “Fallen Angels and Lost Souls” of scene veterans ARMAGEDDON and ARRAYAN PATH’s “The Bible Bleeds”), cherished classics from the Cyprus underground and the first exciting blasts from a fresh, new generation, “Bloodbrothers II” runs the gamut from mega-studio-awesomeness to raw garage demo; but the musicianship and passion are evident throughout this compilation!

“Bloodbrothers II” will only be available on CD, at a special discounted price. It will be released in Cyprus first, on May 28^th and worldwide on June 10^th. The first 100 ordered from the Pitch Black Records online store will also include the original “Bloodbrothers” compilation as a bonus disc!

To tie the whole project together, the album includes a forward by Mr. Robert Camassa, the man who conceptualized and oversaw the production of the original “Bloodbrothers” compilation. A respected radio producer and fanatic music collector, Robert’s tireless support of the Cyprus scene has helped many of the bands on this disc make their first steps and has made him the unsurpassed authority on the Cyprus music scene.

Lastly, a free mobile app and mobile site will complement the compilation with news updates and information on the Cyprus scene, band links, venue and bar locations and other.

The full track listing is:
1. ARRAYAN PATH – The Bible Bleeds
2. ARMAGEDDON – Fallen Angels and Lost Souls
3. WINTER’S VERGE – Semeni
4. SOLITARY SABRED – Redeemer (rough mix)
5. ASTRONOMIKON – Witch Hunter
6. R.U.S.T. – Metal Child
7. LETHAL SAINT – Out for The Kill
8. SERPENT TEETH – Legion of the Dead
9. HARDRAW – Revenge
10. MARIANNE’S WISH – Brainwash
11. UNDER THE NUMBER – Hero for a day
12. DIE WITZELSUCHTS – Come Down
13. INFECTED SYREN – SYK (demo)
14. ZONER – Frrreakout
15. ONEIRISM – Render Real (demo)
16. QUADRAPHONIC – Social Suicide
17. STORMCAST – Withdrawn
18. BLYND – Sins to the Cross

“Bloodbrothers II” is available for pre-order here.

So… we have been silently working on a compilation album of Cyprus bands. This of course won’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows how much we support and always try to promote the local scene here in Cyprus, even if it’s bands that are not part of our roster.

A full announcement will be made within the next few days, including title, cover and participating bands but for now let’s remember another compilation, one which “meant a lot” for the small Cyprus scene back then when it came out. That compilation has now reached a somewhat cult status (or legendary as some fans maintain) and it’s a much sought-after item by collectors (in Cyprus and abroad).

It was the first compilation ever released for the Cyprus scene and it meant so much to a lot of the bands that were on it as it was really the chance for most of them (if not all) to have their music on a professionally-produced CD, even as part of a compilation album.

Released in 1997, “Bloodbrothers – A Compilation of Recordings by Rock Bands from Cyprus” featured 13 tracks by 9 bands, most of them no longer active right now. You can check out more about it here.

“Bloodbrothers”’ was released by Laughing Stock Disks and the man mainly responsible for putting it together is none other than our good friend Mr. Robert Camassa, a well-known radio personality here in Cyprus, an avid music collector (he’s more of an encyclopaedia of music actually but that’s another story) and of course he as well is a huge supporter of the Cyprus scene.

Robert’s words on the CD back then were: “Somebody said that rock music is ‘a way of life’. What a load of bull! Rock music is about passion. And we think you’ll find tons of passion on this CD.”

Now, 16 years later, we still agree with that statement and at the same time we feel that it also applies to the new compilation we’ve put together and we hope that everyone will agree after checking it out.

So stay tuned for the full update coming soon!

Although we’re not involved with this event and it doesn’t really have anything to do with rock or metal, it’s still music-related and for a good cause, one that affects all of us in Cyprus (and soon all over the European “Union”), we fully support it! Here’s the official announcement from the organizers:

CyprusAid
An all-day solidarity concert
People for People

On Monday, 1 April 2013, from 4pm until midnight, more than 50 performing artists will join their voices and their art in an all-day solidarity concert entitled CyprusAid, to be held at the Constanza moat in Nicosia.

Your support for this initiative will serve to convey to the outside world a resounding message of our solidarity.  There is no financial cost to attend the concert, but participants will be asked to make only a contribution in kind, such as food, medicines and other basic items, which will be distributed to individuals, families and other groups who have an immediate need.

In the last few days we have experienced a cold shower, and lived through intense emotions and rapid, successive reversals.  The sole thing of which we were certain was the uncertainty facing us. The widespread feeling of frustration and false expectations was the common denominator that brought together a group of actors and other friends who decided to put up a practical demonstration of our resistance against what is forthcoming.  Partly because of necessity, partly because of the need for unity and for solidarity, partly because of the need for a united, strong, common and apolitical voice to be heard by the outside world. In claiming our dignity we have united our voices, drawing strength from each other, regardless of the issues that may divide us, in order to overcome together the difficulties ahead.

The CyprusAid concert is an idea that was born and implemented in record time, at no cost, thanks to the selfless participation of individuals, companies and organisations and the generous support and contribution of local authorities, state corporations, as well as of many individuals who responded to our invitation without a second thought.  The idea behind it is to convey an optimistic message for the future: together we can do better.

From 4 pm until midnight on 1 April, about 50 artists from different musical backgrounds, from Cyprus and Greece, will unite their voices and their art in a way that only the language of music knows how to unite, to express in their own way their practical support to the people of our country.

Among the performers to take part in the CyprusAid concert are Lina Nicolacopoulou, Alkinoos Ioannides, Demetra Galani, Christos Thiveos, Christos Dantis, Evridiki, Antonis Mitzelos, Demetris Koryialas, Sophia Papazoglou, Ero, Alex Panayi, Christina Argyri, Marlain Angelides, Despina Olympiou, George Kalogirou, Efstathia, Argyro Kaparou, Sotos Constantinou, Demetris Markis, Eleonora Rousou, Tefkros Neocleous, Nicos Evangelou, Salina, Myrto Meletiou, Michalis and Petros Kouloumis, Rodos Kyriacou and an array of talented musicians, as well as select groups such as the VATUKINO, a 20-member percussionist band, and  the local bands LOPODYTES, METHEXIS and ENTECHNI ROK SKINI STO PERAMA.

The improvised groups of actors and friends consists, so far, of the following:  (in alphabetical order) Nataly Amman, Irene Andronikou, Marina Argyridou, Poppy Aristidou, Effie Charalambous, Nadia Charalambous, Niovi Charalambous, Myro Christodoulou, George Christophi, Charoula Christophi, Andrea Christophi, Maria Chrysaphi, Demetris Constantinides, Christos Constantinides, Andriana Constantinou, Dona Constantinou, Mara Constantinou, Marina Constantinou, Marios Constantinou, Christina Constantinou, Elena Demetriou, Vasiliki Dialyna, Evripides Dikeos, Nici Dragoumi, Sophia Eleftheriades, Lisa Georghiou, Kristiana Georghiou, Elena Giorgallou, Melinda Iacovides, Maria Iasonos, Thanasis Ioannou, Marios Kakoullis, Achilleas Kentonis, Petros Konomou, Myrto Kougiali, Anna Kouma, Nicholas Kouroumtzis, Christos Krasides, Vasiliki Kypreou, Zoe Kyprianou, George Kyriacou, Panagiotis Larkou, Chryso Louca, Andreas Makris, Lea Maleni, Marina Maleni, Stella Mallotides, Giannis Martharis, Pantelitsa Mavrogiannis, Frederiki Menelaou, Georgia Meshiti, Marianna Michael, Elias Michaelides, Herodotos Miltiadous, Haris Mylonas, Maria Neocleous, Marcella Neocleous, Neocles Neocleous, Andria Nicolaou, Eleni Odysseos, Stella Oratiou, Andri Orphanidou, Ena Paetsch, Maria Papacosta, Maria Papapetrou, Andreas  Paraschos, Alexandros Parisis, Soteris Pavlou, Fani Petsa, Maria Philippou, Penny Phiniri, Andreas Phylactou, Skevos Polycarpou, Minas Polychronakis, Christy Polydorou, Christos Polymenakos, Katerina Procopiou, Michalis Psilos, Eleonora Roussou, Zoe Samaras, Maria Salata, Elena Savva, Nikandros Savvides, Eleni Sidera, Olga Sophocleous, Sophocles Sophocleous, Stratos Stamati, Stavros Tartaris, Naso Themistocleous, Constantinos Tsartsalis, Marianna Vasiliou, Anna Yagkiozi, Anthie Zachariadou, Nicko Zavallis, Demetris Zavros as well as the following companies and organizations 7 Klidia, Altius hotel, Amathus Tourist Agency, Antonakis Bar, Artos Foundation, BMW Motercyclists Association, City Studio, Cleopatra Hotel, Colourpix, CYTA, Cyprus Airways, Dream Team & Associates, Erodos Taverna, Europa Hotel, Hilton Cyprus, Karvounomagiremata, Lemesios Sports, Nicosia Municipality, Petrolina, Photos Photiades Ltd, Reaction Cyprus, Zannetos Taverna, Zorbas Bakeries

We would like to thank all the media and also all others who are assisting us in making this event a success.

Because we have received an overwhelming number of calls from artists who want to take part voluntarily, we hope that similar events will be organized not only in Cyprus but also overseas in order to assist those in need. Therefore, we urge all organisations, companies and other bodies to hold similar events.

Reign of the Architect will release their debut album, Rise, via Pitch Black Records on April 16th (everywhere except the USA where it will be released on May 14th).

The album features guest appearances from Jeff Scot Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen, Journey), Mike LePond (Symphony X) and Joost Van Den Broek (Ayreon, After Forever). The fifteen tracks, spread over three “acts” on this album make up what is part one of a two part concept, telling a tale of love, destruction and survival in the aftermath of this power struggle.

The mastermind behind Reign of the Architect, Yuval Kramer comments:

“The story-line is an allegory of the powers that rage inside the human soul. Titles like “good” and “evil”, “right” or “wrong” are subjective terms which we only use to legitimize our actions. We wanted to focus on the survival instinct, which, in times of need, forces us to victimize ourselves and bend the rules just to turn the scale. Then we have to destroy this self and re-build a new one who will eventually do exactly the same in the next similar situation. We wanted to point out this eternal battle between creation and destruction that wages inside the human psyche since the beginning of time, to grasp this feeling of being alone when it is most crowded.”

Based in Israel, and formed of musicians from several countries, Reign of the Architect are a progressive metal band that have created a masterful debut album. With rich soundscapes incorporating traditional folk instruments and soaring vocals which would appeal to fans of Blind Guardian, Ayreon, Pain Of Salvation, Kamelot and Devin Townsend.

Album trailer:

“Leaking Wounds” streaming and free download:

Album track listing:

1. Set
2. Different Heart
3. Hymn to Loneliness
4. False
5. Such a Celebration
6. Leaking Wounds
7. Distant Similarities
8. One Single Sour Grape
9. As the Old Turns to Sorrow
10. I, the Architect
11. Secrets in the Hallway
12. Crown of Shattered Dreams
13. The Green Flame
14. We Must Retaliate
15. Hopeless War