08/17/2012 16:41

Manowar

Manowar: 'The Lord of Steel'

Manowar's new studio album, 'The Lord of Steel', will be released into worldwide retail on September 28, 2012 (dates may vary from territory to territory), following a limited-edition pre-release as the "Hammer Edition" in collaboration with Metal Hammer (UK).

The retail edition of 'The Lord of Steel' will feature different mixes and mastering, spectacular new art by fantasy artist Ken Kelly, and other surprises. The album will be available as CD, limited-edition vinyl and digital album.

"Manowar have always dared to do things differently. You have to look at these two versions like a movie that comes out in alternate versions; a director's cut or alternate endings or stories even told from different perspectives." explained bassist Joey DeMaio. "For those of you who enjoyed the first taste of 'The Lord of Steel', meaning the Metal Hammer version, I can tell you that the forthcoming 'The Lord of Steel' release on Magic Circle Entertainment will be even more unique and yes, more brutal," he continued.

Described by the press as "a brutal and unstoppable force of molten metal" and "flawlessly heavy" 'The Lord of Steel' is a raw-to-the-bone production, merging vintage elements with the trademark sound Manowar have developed over the years. "When you have to make room for literally hundreds of other instruments such as orchestras, choirs, marching armies on Gods Of War for example, you have to create sonic space for that. The fewer instruments you have the louder they can be individually. As an artist you want to give your audience new experiences. This is not "elevator music". This is an album that hits you hard right between the eyes and does not let up." said Joey DeMaio.

For their twelfth studio album Manowar have tapped into the world of action heroes and their stories, writing their first song specifically for a Hollywood movie, "El Gringo" and another one, Expendable, inspired by Sylvester Stallone's action movie franchise "The Expendables". The band has meanwhile confirmed their next movie project, "Soldiers", for "The Expendables 2" star Jean-Claude Van Damme.

From the furious title track and the pumping 'Black List', to the power ballad 'Righteous Glory' and the Ennio Morricone homage 'El Gringo' - 'The Lord of Steel' is full of surprises.

'The Lord of Steel' retail edition will be mixed and mastered by long-time collaborators mixing engineer Ronald Prent and two-time Grammy award-winning mastering engineer Darcy Proper.

Press and fans say about 'The Lord of Steel':

"A flawless, powerful heavy metal album"
(metalnews.de, Germany)

"Put 'The Lord of Steel' into your CD player and hit play. It will only take a few seconds to realize that this is one of the most powerful and crushing metal albums ever released, with levels of sound quality and sonic precision that outstrip virtually everything else that is available in 2012.

Songs like 'Expendable', 'Annihilation' and the impossibly vicious 'Hail, Kill and Die' provide something that is conspicuous by its absence from the majority of heavy music these days. It's a sense of righteous pride and a simplicity of sentiment, combined with the thunderous clangour of driving, muscular metal riffs and rhythms delivered with extreme intensity and overwhelming belief.

'The Lord of Steel' amounts to an irresistible and utterly monstrous antidote, brimming with heroic positivity and momentous might."
(Metal Hammer, UK)

"Ten songs of unfiltered heavy metal"
(metalrulestv.com, US)

"The best Manowar album since 'Kings o Metal'"
(strombringer.at, Austria)

"A recommendable album free of any signs of wear."
(dark-festivals.de, Germany)

"Straightforward metal. Amazing in its power and clarity."
(sputnikmusic.com, US)

"'The Lord of Steel'? Masterpiece!!!"
Jörg Fuhlert (fan)

"Completely amazing album!!! So modern and interesting!!"
Stathis Sokondimos (fan)

"So I'm finally listening to the new album! Got to say I love how it sounds."
Joshua McAlpine (fan)

"Oh, that sound is heavy! Really like the new stuff."
Falco Fashizzle (fan)

Coinciding with the release of the album, Manowar will kick off the "Lord of Steel World Tour" with first shows in October and November, in Europe and the United States.

"The Lord of Steel World Tour" – Leg 1 – Confirmed Dates:
Tue, Oct 09, 2012 - Zaragoza, Spain - Interpeñas
Thu, Oct 11, 2012 - La Coruña, Spain - Coliseum
Sat, Oct 13, 2012 - Barcelona, Spain - St Jordi Club
Sun, Oct 14, 2012 - Madrid, Spain - La Riviera
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 - Paris, France - Trabendo
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 - Kerkrade, Holland – Rodahal
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 – Frankfurt, Germany – Jahrhunderthalle
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 - Pardubice, Czech Republic - CEZ Arena
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 - Prague, Czech Republic - Mala Sportovni Hala
Fri, Oct 26, 2012 - Zlin, Czech Republic - Euronics
Fri, Nov 23, 2012 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
Sat, Nov 24, 2012 - Long Island, NY - The Paramount
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 - Long Island, NY - The Paramount

Release: CD / limited vinyl / digital album: 09/28/2012* (* dates may vary in territories).

(source: Magic Circle Music)