Almanac - Kingslayer on CD

Description

Limited Edition CD/DVD Digibook. Let's make one thing clear right from the start: ALMANAC's mighty second strike Kingslayer is not about fantasy, it's no fairy tale about slaying dragons and using powerful magic. It is our very own histories coming back at us in the shape of epic, forceful, wonderfully melodic and skillful anthems. Stories of murdered kings, of despots and tyrants, framed by an invincible power metal performance and presented by no less than three (!) lead singers. This is, of course, nothing new for those familiar with the new band of the former RAGE axeman Smolski and his new fellowship. On their stunning debut Tsar they already turned to Russian history, thus complementing this musical success by a pleasantly unique background, for once not speaking about Vikings, Celts or druids. Progression, individuality and avoiding any kind of routine have always been the essence of Smolski - which is why in 2015, he decided to leave RAGE. With ALMANAC, he says, something like this is never going to happen. "Our musical level is way higher", he states without the slightest hint of hubris. Add to that the fact that the vocalists are far from being a marketing tool, but the unmistakable figurehead of a metal band being thus able to tell better stories than anybody else. Andy B. Franck's (BRAINSTORM) soaring heavy metal voice, the roaring rock voice of David Readman (PINK CREAM 69) and the mesmerising siren chant of Jeannette Marchewka (LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA) turn every single song into a legend at the campfire. "These voices enable me to paint in all the musical colours available", the guitarist rejoices. "There's simply nothing I can't do with these fantastic musicians." The symphonic mid-tempo smasher 'Hail To The King', for example, is about king Dhatusena of Sri Lanka. "In 473, his own son dethroned and immured him," Smolski is inaugurating the merry history lesson. Equally dark is the background of 'Regicide', telling of the assassination of King Henry VIII by a monk. What else? Schizophrenic kings being driven to suicide by one of their courtiers or an infamous pirate queen no one could kill. It should be clear by now: Against an album like Kingslayer even Game of Thrones doesn't stand a chance. These true stories are more gripping, more legendary... and of course a lot bloodier!