Last week, Upon A Red Sky released their new EP, Aegis. You can also get the story behind the tracks in this story written by vocalist, Chris Breetzi
Path Of A King:
This song is about the hard childhood in Sparta. Being inspected for any handicaps when you're born, a hard training and finally becoming the king. In the last paragraph the Persin ambassadors are arriving and kicked into the depths of Sparta's well. A dark omen for the future.
Arcadian Grounds:
The Persian army is arriving on Greek territory and faces a heavy thunderstorm that devastates the fleet. The brave Spartans are also facing their first battles against the big Persian army. Leonidas keeps his men together and makes them "stand strong" against the enemy.
Bloodrush:
This is THE battle song of the album. If you remember the skirmish against the army of the immortals, then you know what the first half of the song is all about. Xerxes is also quite frustrated about the defeats and sends his monsters and magicians into the fight. Leonidas and his brave soldiers are still continuing their winning streaks with great motivation and bloodlust.
Exiled:
Switching away from Leonidas, this story is about the handicapped Ephialtes, an exiled Spartan. He sees his chance to regain his honor and return to Sparta by fighting on Leonidas' side. However, Leonidas rejected him cause he doesn't fit into the phalanx formation. Obsessed with hate Ephialtes seeks approval in Xerxes in exchange for a secret path to surround the Spartans.
Allegiance:
Leonidas is surrounded by the Persian army and Xerxes offers him a deal. Leonidas refuses and insults Xerxes status as godking. After that the fate of the Spartans is sealed. In a last attempt Leonidas tries to impale the godking with a spear, but he fails. Still in a bloodrush he tries to kill as many enemies as possible before dying in a swarm of arrows.