- Product Code: NB 3576-1
- You will get bonus-scraps: 20
- Availability: In Stock
-
€ 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.
Last viewed
-300x300.jpg "KREATOR “Hate Über Alles” /Ltd. Picture 2LP/")
KREATOR “Hate Über Alles” /Ltd. Picture 2LP/
The fifteenth full-length studio album by legendary German Thrash Metal band. World-renowned extreme Metal titans are back! Produced by Arthur Rizk, it is the band's first studio album since "Gods Of Violence" (2017), the longest gap between studio albums in their career, and the fir..
€ 49.90
VICIOUS ART “Fire Falls and the Waiting Waters” /CD/
Debut full-length album by Melodic Death/Thrash Metal band from Sweden. Featuring ex-members of Grave, Dark Funeral, Obscurity and Entombed!! Candlelight USA/Threeman Recordings, 2005 (CDL0178CD) Tracklist: 1.Debria Seems To Be Bleeding 03:42 2.Komodo Lights 03:15 3.Fire Falls 04:08 4.A W..
€ 4.90
VANAGLORIA “Vestigios De Lo Inhumano” /CD/
The third full-length studio album by Spanish Thrash/Death Metal band. Powerful, modern and hard Metal with the band's characteristic melodies and atmospheres. Suspiria Records, 2016 (SPR018). Made in Spain. First press. Tracklist: 1. Vórtice 01:42 2. Desvastación 04:23 3..
€ 4.90 € 9.90
-300x300.jpg "NECROPHOBIC “Bloodhymns” /CD/")
NECROPHOBIC “Bloodhymns” /CD/
Remastered re-release of the fourth full-length studio album by cult Swedish Death/Black Metal band. With thirty years of active, nefarious service under their bullet belts, Necrophobic are undisputed legends of the Death and Black Metal Underground. Formed in 1989 by drummer Joakim Sterner, the St..
€ 12.90
DEICIDE “The Stench Of Redemption” /CD/
The eighth full-length studio album by the legendary American Death Metal band. This is the first album recorded without brothers Hoffman who were dismissed from the band for skipping concerts. Guitarists Jack Owen (ex-Cannibal Corpse) and Ralph Santolla (ex-Iced Earth) took their places. The album..
€ 5.90
ENEMY OF MYSELF “The Fury” /CD/
The debut full-length studio album by Spanish Melodic Death/Thrash Metal band. Noisehead Records, 2008 (NHR0508). Made in Austria. First press. Used (cover/disc): EX+/EX+. Tracklist: 1. Whirlwinds and Tornadoes 03:38 2. For Time Immortal 04:53 3. As She Sleeps 05:36 4. Corpse Flies 04..
€ 2.90
WITCHTIGER “Warlords Of Destruction 2004-2014” /CD/
The only compilation album by cult Finnish Heavy/Doom Metal band. The oldest Finnish school occult, dusty proto-Doom and vintage Heavy Metal. A collection of materials recorded in the latest decade. Includes members of Devil Lee Rot, Pagan Rites, Evoked, Curse, Slughator, Evil Angel. Witcht..
€ 9.90
DOMINANCE "Echoes Of Human Decay" /CD/
death metal from Italy Kolony Records, 2009 (KR002) Tracklist: 1.Dead Mechanism 00:35 2.Last Witness 05:47 3.Gilgamesh 04:28 4.Primordial 05:14 5.The Siege 04:51 6.Duellists 05:10 7.The Temple of Two Queens 04:22 8.Unholy Birth 04:38 9.The Sailor 05:41 10.Like a Distant Thunder 05:44..
€ 3.90
CHILDREN OF BODOM “Blooddrunk” /CD/
The sixth full-length studio album by legendary Finnish Melodic Death Metal band. The album includes more Thrash Metal than its predecessors. While writing and recording the album, Alexi Laiho had stated he felt very aggressive, and as a consequence the songs would be faster and "Thrashier&quo..
€ 12.90
-300x300.jpg "MIREILLE MATHIEU “Alle Kinder Dieser Erde” /LP/")
MIREILLE MATHIEU “Alle Kinder Dieser Erde” /LP/
The thirty-fifth full-length studio album by legendary French Chanson singer. Ariola, 1978 (26 458 IT). Made in Germany. First press. Used (cover/disc): EX/EX. Tracklist: Seite 1 1. Alle Kinder Dieser Erde 3:42 2. Es Führt Kein Weg Vorbei (...An Deiner Liebe) 3:13 3. Der Walz..
€ 12.90
PYRIFLEYETHON / OPHIDIAN FOREST "Summoning Of The Igneous" /Split CD/
Black Metal from Greece vs Pagan/Black Metal from USA split CD. Le Crepuscule du Soir productions/Victory by Fire Records, 2011 (LCDS061/7) Tracklist: 1.Pyrifleyethon - Ignipotence 00:35 2.Pyrifleyethon - Powers of the Second Sphere 05:19 3.Pyrifleyethon - Underneath 03:28 4.Pyrifleyethon ..
€ 2.90
-300x300.jpg "STEPHANIE “Besoin” (aka “Stephanie”) /LP/")
STEPHANIE “Besoin” (aka “Stephanie”) /LP/
The debut full-length studio album by Princess Stéphanie Marie Elisabeth of Monaco. The album was released in September 1986, incorporating Dance-Pop, Synth-Pop, Dance and Pop music. In some countries, it was released as "Live Your Life", or simply "Stephanie". All ..
€ 14.90
-300x300.jpg "VOLBEAT “Servant Of The Mind” /2LP/")
VOLBEAT “Servant Of The Mind” /2LP/
The eighth full-length studio album by legendary Danish Hard Rock/Psychobilly/Heavy Metal band. The band’s final studio album to feature their lead guitarist Rob Caggiano before his departure from the band in 2023. The album marks a return to a heavier sound in comparison to their previous al..
€ 39.90
ASTORVOLTAIRES “La Quintaesencia De Júpiter” /Ltd. Digipack CD/
The third full-length studio album by Chilean Melodic Doom Metal/Post-Rock one-man-band. After five years of silence, AstorVoltaires return with a conceptual album, bringing a new era of life among Terra, Ignis, Aer, Aqua and Aether - an endless journey, coming from ancient research of human develo..
€ 12.90
-300x300.jpg "TAD MOROSE “March Of The Obsequious” /Ltd. LP/")
TAD MOROSE “March Of The Obsequious” /Ltd. LP/
The tenth full-length studio album by cult Swedish Progressive Power/Heavy Metal band. Tad Morose is now a full four albums into their ‘comeback’ after a ten-year break between their sixth and seventh albums, and the (mostly) stable line-up is very productive with four albums in ten yea..
€ 24.90
Related Products
Victor Smolski's ALMANAC “Kingslayer” /Ltd. 2LP/
- Product Code: NBCLP 4070-1
-
€ 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.
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 tak..
€ 19.90
SUPPORT THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE