Almanac (Victor Smolski avec membres de Brainstorm + PC 69)

[Mr. Sandman]

A few weeks ago, the announcement that the most recent lineup of German power metallers RAGE was breaking up caused a furor within the metal scene. While RAGE co-founder Peavy Wagner decided to continue the band with new members, guitarist Victor Smolski set his mind on following his passion for neo-classical, orchestral metal and continue on the path that he began with the LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA CD "LMO". This marks the birth of new band called ALMANAC.

"ALMANAC is the continuation of the concept which I started back in 2013 with 'LMO'," says Smolski. "The well-known faces of 'LMO' stay the same: both female singers Jeannette Marchewka and Dana Harnge, as well as the Orquestra Barcelona Filharmonia. On top of that, I am proud to announce that we also have two outstanding male singers joining us: Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM) and David Readman (PINK CREAM 69)! All of them offer me the possibility to add more variety and a new musical dimension to the new tracks' arrangements."

Smolski will announce the bass player and drummer of ALMANAC at a later date, but the band's baptism of fire is close.

"I will present the whole new band on our first live appearance on the Musikmesse Frankfurt [music fair]," says Smolski.

ALMANAC will perform on April 16 at 17.30 CET on the Agora Stage. Furthermore, Smolski plans to enter the studio later this year to record the ALMANAC debut album.

[Psyko Killer]

Y'a aussi un Almanak par ici, mais c'est pas vraiment le même genre, enfin je pense pas!

[Everflow]

A noter dans le communiqué la présence de Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM) et David Readman (PINK CREAM 69), pas mal!

[Mr. Sandman]

Le groupe rejoint Nuclear Blast :

A few weeks ago, Victor Smolski presented his new band ALMANAC, following his passion for neo-classical, orchestral metal, to continue on the path that ended up with the LINGUA MORTRIS ORCHESTRA debut »LMO«.
Now he’s very pleased to announce their signing with Nuclear Blast Records. Mastermind Victor Smolski comments on the signing: ““After ten years of cooperation with Nuclear Blast, a friendship evolved. Nuclear Blast trusted in me a lot for my work as composer and producer of the Nuclear Blast Allstars INTO THE LIGHT, RAGE and LMO records. Because of that, I will continue with my new band ALMANAC together with the established team of Nuclear Blast. I hope that our previous successes will continue with ALMANAC. I want to thank all fans for supporting me over the years.”

The recording sessions for the upcoming debut album are set this year, too. Victor Smolski reveals: “Everyone who liked my LMO songs and the RAGE songs, I wrote in my 15 year membership, like 'Soundchaser', 'Down', 'Suite Lingua Mortis', 'Forever Dead', 'Straight To Hell', 'Empty Hollow' and many more, can look forward for the new ALMANAC songs. I’m totally motivated to present you our new album with such an amazing line up in 2016!“

[Everflow]

Ça pourrait être sympa, il manque que le nom Lingua Mortis Orchestra

[Mr. Sandman]

"Tsar", le premier album du projet doit sortir courant mars via Nuclear Blast :

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.

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 singer’s voices.

[Everflow]

[Mr. Sandman]

Victor Smolski's new band, ALMANAC, will release their debut album called »Tsar« on March 18th, 2016 via Nuclear Blast Records. Victor Smolski himself was responsible for the production of the record. Mixing was done by Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann (ORDEN OGAN).

The cover artwork was created by famous Hungarian artist Gyula Havancsák (WISDOM, ANNIHILATOR, TYR, DESTRUCTION, ELVENKING,...)

The tracklist of »Tsar« racks up as follows:

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

[Pierre]

Superbe

[Everflow]

On dirait une pochette de Running Wild 90's.

[Mr. Sandman]

Voici le premier extrait complet :

[Everflow]

Je ne connais pas trop Lingua Mortis Orchestra, mais c'est quand même particulier cette alternance de chanteurs, au final rien de détonnant mais ça passe bien je trouve, sans parler du niveau de toute la clique.

[Yathin Lizzy]

C'est beaucoup moins heavy/thrash que ce qu'il faisait sur les derniers albums de Rage. Ca sonne comme du Power Metal traditionnel. Je sais pas comment est le reste de l'album...
Mais pour le moment :

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.

Il n'y a ni musique classique, ni éléments du folklore russe... et pour ce qui est du son modern.

[Everflow]

Le folklore russe est présent... dans le clip à la rigueur.

[Everflow]

[Pierre]

J'ai écouté l'album complet. A la première écoute, c'est sympa, très bien fait mais classique.

[Stéphane]

Je ne connais pas trop Lingua Mortis Orchestra, mais c'est quand même particulier cette alternance de chanteurs, au final rien de détonnant mais ça passe bien je trouve, sans parler du niveau de toute la clique.

Pas éouté Almanac, mais Lingu a Mortis c'est du rage avec un orchestre et une chanteuse, ça sonne comme ça et c'est :

[mandylion]

Un bon disque mais fade. Tout est nickel mais je trouve les compo lisses, sans saveur. En un mot c'est plat parce que ultra classique.

[franang]

je trouve ça franchement surfait et gnian gnian, alors que la pochette deboite

[ChaNoir]

je les ai vus hier sur scène à Ludwigsburg. Oui bon. Bien sans plus.

[Everflow]

Le titre me laisse un peu froid mais le solo de Smolski en met plein la vue :

[Bib]

je trouve ça franchement surfait et gnian gnian, alors que la pochette deboite

Oui, franchement pas fameux... Voir moisi...

Bon allez, je change de section...

[Pierre]

Je plussoie ! Album sans intérêt, bien fait malgré tout mais dont on ne retient rien au final.

[Achille]

C'est clairement la déception de l'année cet album... J'ai un pote qui l'a revendu et je me demande si je ne vais pas faire pareil

[Pierre]

J'avoue n'avoir pas pris le risque de l'acheter sans l'écouter avant