In Biblical language, “leviathan” is a word for a sea monster; however, it has a secondary meaning which stems from Thomas Hobbes’s 17th century work on the structure of society and legitimate government – “an autocratic monarch or state”.

The song offers a bleak commentary on the state of modern Armenia, attacking the corruption, oligarchy, kleptocracy, and restrictions on free expression and the press which plague the country.

The band has chosen the date of the song’s release to be the anniversary of the 2008 unlawful killing of 8 protesters, the unsatisfactorily explained deaths of two members of the security forces, and the illegal deployment of the military. Despite international calls for an independent enquiry, the Armenian authorities have refused to comply, preferring instead to divert justice to serve their own ends.

The song encourages the Armenian public to rise up and hold those in power to account. Despite the song being recorded in summer 2013, the message rings true for recent events in Ukraine and what the desire for freedom and justice can achieve.

Leviathan

Vordan Karmir Sirts Dzuk

"An Gordonach!" is a Scottish-Armenian rock project which has been based in Vanadzor, Armenia, since 2010 and is viewed as one of the leading underground bands in the country. The band strives to create a new sound for the Armenian rock landscape, with each song possessing a different flavour, mixing Britpop, rock and Scottish and Armenian folk harmonies with blistering social commentary on life in both Armenia and the UK. “An Gordonach” is the war cry of Clan Gordon, Stuart’s ancient highland clan from Aberdeenshire. It is said that Scots and Armenians share heritage and traits, so the name "An Gordonach!" represents energy, passion and brotherhood.

Band lineup:

Stuart Moir – guitarist and vocalist, also a classically trained violinist/viola player/pianist. During his teenage years he was the lead guitarist for Kent-based band Ipika, but the group disbanded once the different members left for university. He then played in many different jazz, gypsy, classical and rock musical ensembles in London until he moved to Vanadzor in early 2010 to work in human rights. His influences include a wide variety of Icelandic music, traditional Scottish pipe and drums, classic punk, Queens of the Stone Age, Britpop and modern British rock.

Tirayr Mkhitaryan – bassist.  Tirayr was the lead guitarist of Vanadzor-based rock group PUSH from 2002-2007, when the group disbanded. He also played with his brother Gor Mkhitaryan in 2007-2008, who was well known in Armenia from playing with the Vanadzor rock band Lav Eli. His musical influences include traditional Armenian music, Ruben Hakhverdyan, Lav Eli, Brit pop, Alternative, among others.

Quake – drummer. Quake has played in several groups, including Vordan Karmir in their early years.  His musical influences include psychedelic trance, alternative, System Of A Down, to name but a few… 

The band has also collaborated with Assadook, Vordan Karmir, Crimesterdam, and Lav Eli's Davit Grigoryan, and sends them its heartfelt thanks. 

Leviathan

An Gordonach!

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