Artist: ALMANAC
Album: TSAR LTD. CLEAR VINYL (2LP)

Year: 2016
EAN/UPS: 727361357610
Media type: LP

After 15 years and 10 CDs as guitarist, producer and composer for the German heavy metal institution RAGE, and with hits penned by him like 'Down', 'Soundchaser', 'War Of Worlds', 'Straight To Hell' (well-known from the German blockbuster movie »Manitou’s Shoe«), 'Carved In Stone', 'Forever Dead', 'Empty Hollow' and 'Cleansed By Fire', Victor Smolski now continues his musical career with his new group ALMANAC. The guitar virtuoso’s composition 'Suite Lingua Mortis' was first released on the successful 2006 RAGE record »Speak Of The Dead«, and it helped build the classical foundation for the new, more versatile yet even playful LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA sound. Their LMO release in 2013 scored them a big success by outselling RAGE's most releases and charted in Germany at #24 on the official album charts. In comparison to RAGE, LMO offered fresh song material entirely composed by Smolski, a new musical concept combining heavy metal with classical music, songs written especially for a band and orchestra plus several male and female singers sharing the lead vocal job.

This success story now continues with ALMANAC who add a powerful touch of heaviness to LMO’s unique sound. The Belarus-born guitarist Smolski with this new group is joined in this new group by former LMO band members Jeanette Marchewka (vocals) and the Symphony Orchestra “Orquestra Barcelona Filharmonia”. New in the line up are bass player Armin Alic, drummer Michael Kolar and keyboardist Enric Garcia. Two high-class singers David Readman (PINK CREAM 69) and Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM) complete the extremely prominent line up. Most recently ALMANAC have signed a record deal with the world’s leading heavy metal label Nuclear Blast. Their debut album, called »Tsar«, will be released in March 2016.

For all the members of ALMANAC, »Tsar« is a new, exciting, and very interesting chapter. Traditional metal in conjunction with classical music, world music and elements of Russian folklore with a modern sound all make ALMANAC a compelling and absolute listening experience.

Side A:
01. Tsar
02. Self-Blinded Eyes

Side B:
01. Darkness
02. Hands Are Tied
03. Children Of The Future

Side C:
01. No More Shadows
02. Nevermore

Side D:
01. Reign Of Madness
02. Flames Of Fate

LINE-UP:

Victor Smolski | guitars, keys
Andy B. Franck | vocals
David Readman | vocals
Jeanette Marchewka | vocals
Enric Garcia | keyboards
Michael Kolar | drums
Armin Alic | bass