Victor Smolski's new band, Almanac, will release their debut album, Tsar, on March 18th 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 band have released “making of” footage for the first video from Tsar, for the track “Self-Blinded Eyes”. The new footage, as well as the official video, can be seen below:

The album artwork was created by famous Hungarian artist Gyula Havancsák (Wisdom, Annihilator, Tyr, Destruction, Elvenking).

Tsar tracklisting:

“Tsar”
“Self Blinded Eyes”
“Darkness”
“Hands Are Tied”
“Children Of The Future”
“No More Shadows”
“Nevermore”
“Reign Of Madness”
“Flames Of Fate”

Bonus DVD - Chapter overview:

1. “Self-Blinded Eyes”
2. “Tsar” (Lyric video)
3. Making-of Tsar

Extras:
4. The Making Of “Self-Blinded Eyes”
5. Winter Masters Of Rock
6. Instruments & Techniques
7. Band interview
8. Outtakes
9. Studio Bits
10. B-Roll
11. Unity Music School
12. Credits

“Tsar” lyric video:

Tsar Webisodes:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

“Making of Tsar” studio videos:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Mastermind Smolski comments: “Tsar is the absolute best of and the highlight of my musical career. I had never had so much fun while producing a CD. Incredible teamwork - and one hundred per cent merciless. Push the pedal to the metal!"

For all the members of Almanac, Tsar is a new, exciting, and very interesting chapter. Traditional power metal in conjunction with bombastic orchestra sound and world music with a modern sound all make Almanac a compelling and absolute listening experience. The Belarus-born guitarist Smolski is joined by the Orquestra Barcelona Filharmonia.

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.

In support of their new album, the band will be touring Europe as special guest with Orden Ogan and Manimal from the release date onwards. Find all dates below.

March
18 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
19 - Bremen, Germany - Tivoli
20 - Berlin, Germany - K17
21 - Mannheim, Germany - Alte Seilerei
22 - Nürnberg, Germany - Hirsch
23 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - Rockfabrik
24 - München, Germany - Backstage
25 - Budapest, Hungary - Club 202
26 - Vienna, Austria - Viper Room
27 - Salzburg, Austria - Rockhouse
28 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
29 - Nassfeld, Austria - Full Metal Mountain
30 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
31 - Brescia, Italy - Circus Colony

April
1 - Memmingen, Germany - Kaminwerk
2 - Andernach, Germany - JUZ
3 - Arnhem, Netherlands - Willemeen

Festivals:

June
3 - Plzen, Czech Republic - Metalfest Open Air

August
17 - Dinkelsbühl Flugplatz, Germany - Summer Breeze

The band played recently at Winter Masters Of Rock in Zlin, Czech Republic. Watch a documentary about Almanac's trip below: