- Product Code: NBCLP 4070-1
- You will get bonus-scraps: 20
- Availability: In Stock
-
€ 19.90
- Price in bonus-scraps: 199
The second full-length studio album by German Symphonic Power Metal band, formed by legendary guitarist, ex-member of Rage, Lingua Mortis Orchestra, etc.
The Symphonic Metal Powerhouse are back with sophomore release – and you simply will not hear a better Power Metal album that year!
It takes true talent to deliver a consistent Symphonic Power Metal album without dipping into trite tendencies or mawkish sentimentality, but Almanac have managed it with ease, and considering the talent at work here, that should come as no surprise.
Guitar-god Victor Smolski’s reputation speaks for itself and his ridiculously high standards are maintained throughout "Kingslayer". Seemingly unleashed from previous tethers, his work here borders on genius and these compositions astonish while still hitting you square in the gut with supreme Metal heaviness. Each track has more melodies than you’d think you can handle, more moments of pure theatricality than thought possible (without once stepping over into full ‘cheese’ territory) and, most importantly, at least one massive, ground-shaking riff that’ll make you want to start a mosh with your nearest and dearest.
It’s not just Victor who shines of course. Much should be said about the outstanding vocals on "Kingslayer" and while enlisting three (count ’em, three!) vocalists in the shape of Andy B. Franck (Brainstorm, ex-Ivanhoe), David Readman (Pink Cream 69) and Jeannette Marchewka (Lingua Mortis Orchestra) may suggest overkill, the layering and meticulous juxtapositioning of all 3 voices works seamlessly throughout, aiding the storytelling and providing a strong sense of grandeur befitting the sub-genre.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a concept to "Kingslayer", involving real life historical figures, kings and queens, etc.
This album slays, and you don’t have to be a fan of Rage, Helloween or any other Power Metal band, who’ve attempted and, occasionally, managed to deliver Power Metal perfection. You just need to love Metal of the purest kind, and with "Kingslayer", Almanac have quite probably delivered your Metal album of the year! Bombastic, effervescent and utterly-utterly brilliant!!
Limited Edition to 500 copies 180g double Golden Vinyl in gatefold cover.
Nuclear Blast GmbH/Cargo Records Germany GmbH, 2017 (NBCLP 4070-1). Made in Germany. First press.
Tracklist:
Side A
Song 1. Regicide 6:10
Song 2. Children Of The Sacred Path 4:10
Song 3. Guilty As Charged 5:02
Side B
Song 1. Hail To The King 5:47
Song 2. Losing My Mind 5:33
Side C
Song 1. Kingslayer 1:33
Song 2. Kingdom Of The Blind 6:22
Song 3. Headstrong 6:11
Side D
Song 1. Last Farewell 5:01
Song 2. Red Flag 5:05
Total playing time: 51:14 min.
Last viewed
ALICE COOPER "Dragontown" /CD/
The fourth re-release of the twenty-second full-length studio album by legendary American Shock Rock/Hard Rock/Glam Metal singer. Like "Brutal Planet", the album displays a heavier style than many of his previous releases. Unarguably a continuation of “Brutal Planet”, with Coo..
€ 12.90
MODERN TALKING “Back For Good” /Special Edition CD/
Special Edition release of the seventh full-length studio album by legendary German Pop/Disco band. The album includes new versions of 11 previous Singles, four new songs, two remixes and a medley. The reunion of Thomas Anders and Dieter Bohlen as Modern Talking resulted in a different sound compa..
€ 19.90
REANIMACIA "Rassvet" /CD/
Folk-Power-Heavy Metal from Ukraine Musica Prod., 2006, (MP13) Tracklist: 01 Ратная 02 Этот мир 03 Вальхалла 04 Погибель Святослава 05 Ворон 06 Час расплаты 07 Три ночи 08 Прощай, мой друг! 09 Эра лжы 10 Богатырская 11 Сталинград (Bonus Track) ..
€ 2.90
-300x300.jpg "MODERN TALKING “Original Album Classics” /5CD Set/")
MODERN TALKING “Original Album Classics” /5CD Set/
The five original albums set by legendary German Euro-Disco/Synth-Pop/Dance-Pop duo. The set includes the first four and the sixth full-length albums of the band, and omitted the fifth album. Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH/Legacy, 1985/1986/1987/2011 (88697936292). Made in the EU. Pressed i..
€ 24.90
MANOWAR "Battle Hymns" /CD/
Remastered Classic Rock Series European re-release of the debut full-length album by the legendary American Epic Heavy/Power Metal band. What does "Battle Hymns" mean to us this day? Well, it shows a band accused of excess at their leanest, playing with such heart and such sonic thunder, ..
€ 11.90
-300x300.jpg "LINKIN PARK “Meteora” /LP/")
LINKIN PARK “Meteora” /LP/
The 20th Anniversary re-release of the third full-length studio album by legendary American Hip Hop/Nu Metal band. Produced by the band and Don Gilmore, who produced their debut album "Hybrid Theory" (2000), the album has a sound similar to the band’s debut and was recorded from Apr..
€ 34.90
Steve Grimmett's GRIM REAPER “Walking In The Shadows” /2LP/
The fifth full-length studio album by cult British Heavy Metal band. After a twenty-nine year hiatus, Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper is back with release! Known as Grim Reaper at their first decade (1979 - 1989), band split up in 1989. Vocalist Steve Grimmett resurrected the name in 2006, as St..
€ 24.90 € 29.90
UMBRAE "Infamous Revelations" /Slipcase CD/
Melodic Death Metal from Mexico. Umbrae its the right point between agressivity and obscure metal. An amalgam of metal sounds beyond your perceptions. Umbrae its more than you can imagine. Concreto Records, 2002 (CDCR-02) Tracklist: 1.Beloved Darkness 01:24 2.Final Chapter 06:55 3.Angel ..
€ 2.90
FUNERAL “To Mourn Is A Virtue” /Digibook CD/
The fifth full-length album by the cult Norwegian Funeral Doom/Death Metal band. Funeral has been making dark, mystical Funeral Doom Metal since 1991 and is currently back in the Metal spotlight with “To Mourn is a Virtue”. "To Mourn Is A Virtue" could become a surprising ope..
€ 12.90
TANGORODREAM "Under The Foreveryoung Sky" /CD/
The third full-length album by the Ukrainian Atmospheric Black Metal one man band. Black Metal with a mystical atmosphere carrying the listener on the wings of the tragedies of distant worlds, under the ever-young heaven, where for a time follows its own path. Music inserts in various genres. Varie..
€ 19.90
-300x300.jpg "MUSICAL MASSACRE “Inhuman” /Ltd. GLP/")
MUSICAL MASSACRE “Inhuman” /Ltd. GLP/
The third full-length studio album by German Death Metal band. Musical Massacre was founded in 1988 under the name Bloodbath, renamed two years later and split up after two demos in 1992. Twenty years later, the band resurrected from the grave and released three full length albums. "Inhuman&q..
€ 14.90 € 19.90
AEROSMITH “Draw The Line” /LP/
The fifth full-length studio album by legendary American Hard Rock/Blues Rock band. The last Aerosmith album for eight years to feature Joe Perry for the entire recording (he left halfway through the recording of their next album, "Night in the Ruts"). It was recorded in an abandoned con..
€ 17.90
-300x300.jpg "MODERN TALKING “Cheri, Cheri Lady” /7” Single/")
MODERN TALKING “Cheri, Cheri Lady” /7” Single/
The third Single by legendary German Dance-Pop band. It's the only Single from the second full-length studio album, "Let’s Talk About Love". It was released on 2 September 1985, and reached number one on the German Singles Chart, becoming the duo's third consecutive Number-O..
€ 10.90
PINK FLOYD “Atom Heart Mother” /GLP/
The fifth full-length studio album by legendary British Psychedelic/Progressive Rock band. Harvest/Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd./Odeon, 1971 (OP-80102). Made in Japan. First press. Booklet, textured cover. Used (cover/disc): NM/EX. Tracklist: SIDE 1 1. Atom Heart Mother 23:36 a) Father&..
€ 44.90 € 49.90
LUCIFUGUM “Agonia Agnosti” /CD/
The 15th full-length studio album by Ukrainian Black Metal band. The first Ukrainian Black Metal formation. Still Black Metal. And they are proud to be alone on their path in full isolation, with true "f**k you all" attitude: no live performances, no official site, no social networks, no ..
€ 4.90
Related Products
Victor Smolski's ALMANAC “Tsar” /2LP/
- Product Code: NB 3576-1
-
€ 19.90
- Price in bonus-scraps: 199
The debut full-length studio album by German Symphonic Power Metal band of legendary guitarist, ex-member of Rage, Lingua Mortis Orchestra, etc.
Formed by Victor Smolski after his departure from Rage, Almanac is a continuation of his work with the Lingua Mortis Orchestra.
Victor Smolski's style has been well established throughout his years with German Metallers Rage. Now he has felt it necessary to bring his stylings to the world of Symphonic Power Metal - under the moniker of Almanac. However, in actuality, "Tsar" ends up sounding more like the quirky, heavy riffs of Rage, with a few strings added to beef up the melodies of the riffs. Although this was recorded with a real orchestra - expect nothing like Rhapsody or Fairyland. What you can expect is some damn fine, riff-heavy, Progressively-tinged Power Metal done the way only a German can!
Fans of standard Power Metal fare will find plenty to enjoy beyond the crushing riffs of Smolski. There are points were the orchestra add a real stylistic flair - giving us an extra dimension to aurally examine. The melodic choruses are irresistible. There really is no stinker here, nothing reigns in the energy, and nothing treats the listener like a dullard. These are all smart, vibrant, enjoyable anthems for real music-lovers.
The production quality is top-notch. Every instrument, from the highest string right down to the rumbling bass guitar is allowed a moment to breathe. The bass becomes especially prominent in the sparse verses, where its tonic note brings an aura of true menace.
"Tsar" is indeed a splendid record. Even if Symphonic Power Metal is the section of the record store that you're most unfamiliar with, "Tsar" will inspire you to get acquainted with it! Yet even beyond genre criteria, Almanac is a band that finds strength in the most organic of ingredients and churns them into pure Metal!!
Nuclear Blast Records, 2016 (NB 3576-1). Made in Germany. First press. Gatefold 2x LP / 45 RPM.
Tracklist:
Side A
1. Tsar 7:48
2. Self-Blinded Eyes 6:00
Side B
3. Darkness 1:17
4. Hands Are Tied 5:48
5. Children Of The Future 5:19
Side C
6. No More Shadows 8:19
7. Nevermore 4:42
Side D
8. Reign Of Madness 6:31
9. Flames Of Hate 6:35
Total playing time: 52:19 min.
The debut full-length studio album by German Symphonic Power Metal band of legendary guitarist, ex-member of Rage, Lingua Mortis Orchestra, etc. Formed by Victor Smolski after his departure from Rage, Almanac is a continuation of his work with the Lingua Mortis Orchestra. Victor Smolski's styl..
€ 19.90
SUPPORT THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE