Only Heavy Metal

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."

2015-05-28 - 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!“

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” and White Russian Symphony Orchestra. 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.

2015-12-16 - 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 completed by Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann (ORDEN OGAN).

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