ALMANAC, the new project led by former RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski, will release its debut album, “Tsar”, on March 18 via Nuclear Blast. The CD’s intricate cover artwork was created by Hungarian artist Gyula Havancsák (WISDOM, ANNIHILATOR, DESTRUCTION, ELEVENKING).
Smolski himself was responsible for the production of the record, with mixing completed by Sebastian “Seeb” Levermann (ORDEN OGAN).
“Tsar” track listing:
01. Tsar
02. Self Blinded Eyes
03. Darkness
04. Hands Are Tied
05. Children Of The Future
06. No More Shadows
07. Nevermore
08. Reign Of Madness
09. Flames Of Fate
The video for the song “Self Blinded Eyes” can be seen below.
Smolski commented: “‘Tsar’ is the absolute best of and the highlight of my musical career. I had never had so much fun while producing a CD; it was incredible teamwork — and we were one hundred percent merciless. Push the pedal to the metal!”
The Belarus-born guitarist Smolski is joined in this new group by former LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA bandmembers Jeanette Marchewka (vocals) and the symphony orchestra Orquestra Barcelona Filharmonia and White Russian Symphony Orchestra. New in the lineup are bass player Armin Alić, 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 lineup.
Fans with an interest in deeper subjects including history and culture will also be able to dive into a new world with “Tsar”, which combines historic and modern parallels that will surprise many. From the warlike nomadic horsemen in the steppes of Russia, to the tsardom, Ivan the Terrible, warlike Cossacks who dominate the Tatar, the siege of Constantinople and the Mongol invasion are stories about battles, wars, intrigue, conquest, terror, power and love that can be heard vocally using the different styles of the singers’ voices.
ALMANAC is:
Andy B. Franck – vocals
David Readman – vocals
Jeannette Marchewka – vocals
Victor Smolski – guitars
Armin Alić – bass, fretless bass
Michael Kolar – drums
Enric Garcia – keyboards, piano
Source: Blabbermouth
