Kings Of Metal MMXIV is a completely new recording with many surprises, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of Kings Of Metal and MANOWAR’s following world tour.

Already a significant force with international success since their debut album Battle Hymns, the Kings Of Metal release in 1988 and the following world tour in 1989 catapulted Manowar into a new sphere. Songs like 'Heart Of Steel', 'Kings Of Metal', 'Hail And Kill', and 'Blood Of The Kings' became instant classics, celebrated since by metal fans all over the world. For Kings Of Metal MMXIV, Manowar have recorded these timeless metal anthems with new arrangements and their signature “larger than life” sound that sealed their place in heavy metal history.

“Our fans have made us the ‘Kings Of Metal’, and with this tribute to one of their favorite albums, we honor them and thank them for their unparalleled support and loyalty!” said Manowar vocalist Eric Adams.

Kings Of Metal MMXIV will feature nine main tracks packed with face-melting metal, plus nine bonus tracks with over 40 minutes of additional music.

“We have pushed man and machine to the maximum level to honor the original recordings that we all love, and to add new aspects and surprises that give this new album its own character”, said Manowar bassist and producer Joey DeMaio. “The sound is again as massive and majestic as it has always been”, he continued.

“Recording this album has been an amazing experience! After playing the songs so many times on tour, Donnie and I now had the opportunity to contribute our own sound and elements that the fans have come to love from our live performances,” explained guitarist Karl Logan.

For the new narration on the spoken word track 'The Warrior’s Prayer MMXIV', Manowar have joined forces with celebrated British actor Brian Blessed. Blessed is a renowned Shakespeare and character actor who has starred, among others, in Kenneth Brannagh's Henry V, Oliver Stone's Alexander, in King Lear, and as Prince Vultan in the cult movie Flash Gordon.

For special effects of the highest level on 'The Warrior’s Prayer MMXIV', sound effects specialist Hamilton Sterling was recruited; a Hollywood Veteran who has contributed to action blockbusters including Batman - The Dark Knight, Men In Black 3, War of the Worlds, and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the Worl”, two of which won Oscars for Best Sound Editing.

Kings Of Metal MMXIV will be released to retail on February 28th as a two-disc CD with two 24-page booklets and additional new art by legendary fantasy artist and longtime collaborator Ken Kelly, and as a digital double album.

For the special anniversary, Manowar will also open their vaults and reveal never-before-seen photos and other insights into the history of Manowar and the Kings Of Metal era.

Check out the newly-revealed artwork by Ken Kelly below:

Tracklisting (not final):

Main Tracks:

'Wheels Of Fire MMXIV'

'Kings Of Metal MMXIV'

'Heart Of Steel MMXIV'

'Sting Of The Bumblebee MMXIV'

'The Crown And The Ring MMXIV' (Orchestral Version)

'Kingdom Come MMXIV'

'Hail And Kill MMXIV'

'The Warrior's Prayer MMXIV'

'Blood Of The Kings MMXIV'

Bonus Tracks:

'Blood Of The Kings MMXIV' (Instrumental)

'Hail And Kill MMXIV' (Instrumental)

'Heart Of Steel MMXIV' (Acoustic Intro)

'Kingdom Come MMXIV' (Instrumental)

'Wheels Of Fire MMXIV' (Instrumental)

... and more.

Manowar recently announced their first-ever show in Poland, on Saturday, May 17th at Spodek in Katowice. Tickets are available here.

"Our wait is over. Manowar will finally come to Poland! We will honor the faith of our Polish fans, who have traveled all over the world to see us by bringing our special Kings Of Metal anniversary tour! This tour will be packed with favorite classics, and with many surprises!", said Manowar bassist Joey DeMaio.

Manowar will perform the full Kings Of Metal MMXIV album along with a "best of" set of other immortal metal hymns in a completely new stage production. And if that’s not enough, this will be the band’s one and only performance in Poland in 2014.

Manowar will return to Germany with the Kings Of Metal MMXIV World Tour for an exclusive headlining summer festival performance and a series of indoor shows, including Legacy Open Air at Waldstadion in Weismain, Germany (Friday, June 13th to Sunday, June 15th).

This headlining show at Legacy Open Air will be Manowar's one and only, exclusive performance in Germany in 2014. Tickets are available here or at Legacy-Open-Air.de.

Manowar will then return to Germany in January of 2015 for a series of indoor shows:

January

14 - Grugahalle - Essen, Germany
16 - Zenith - Munich, Germany
17 - Jahrhunderthalle - Frankfurt, Germany

"We are thrilled to return to Germany! The German Manowarriors' loyalty and support from the first time we set foot on German ground is legendary. Returning for this special celebration of Kings Of Metal will reunite us with the greatest fans in Germany," said Manowar bassist Joey DeMaio. "We are calling our Manowarriors in Germany, but also those in the nearby countries, to join us for some unforgettable shows of unparalleled and face-melting metal!"

Kings Of Metal MMXIV World Tour dates:

February

7 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Theatre
8 - Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall
9 - Minneapolis, MN - Mill City
13 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
15 - Houston, TX - House Of Blues
16 - Dallas, TX - House Of Blues
18 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
20 - San Francisco, CA - Regency Theatre
22 - Pomona, CA - Fox Theatre

March

18 - Krasnodar, Russia - Olymp Palace Of Sports
21 - Moscow, Russia - Luzhniki Palace Of Sports
23 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Yubileyny Sports Palace
25 - Tallinn, Estonia - Rock Café
27 - Tallinn, Estonia - Rock Café
29 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Teatro Arena

May

17 - Katowice, Poland - Spodek
21 - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hangar 11
24 - Istanbul, Turkey - Metal Summer Festival

June

13-15 - Weismain, Germany - Legacy Open Air

July

25-26 - Helsinki, Finland - Magic Circle Festival

January (2015)

14 - Essen, Germany - Grugahalle
16 - Munich, Germany - Zenith
17 - Frankfurt, Germany - Jahrhunderthalle