01/17/2014 10:46
Manowar
Manowar: 'Kings of Metal MMXIV' album will be released on February 28, 2014
'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 Hymn's, 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 9 main tracks packed with face-melting metal, plus 9 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". Not only an actor and adventurer, Blessed was also awarded the "Spirit of Hammer Award" from Metal Hammer UK for his contributions to heavy metal.
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 World", two of which won Oscars for Best Sound Editing.
'Kings of Metal MMXIV' will be released in retail on February 28, 2014 as a 2-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.
The release of the 'Kings of Metal MMXIV' album will be followed by the "Kings of Metal MMXIV" world tour, featuring the complete new album and many other classics in a completely new stage production, and will see Manowar return to strongholds such as Germany and Finland but also to new territories, never before visited by Manowar, including Israel and Poland.
'Kings of Metal MMXIV' track list (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
'Kings of Metal MMXIV' trailer: http://bit.ly/J2KdvL
"Ken has always been able to perfectly capture the essence of Manowar in his art. These covers, the two new ones and the one he created in 1988, visualize what Manowar, our music and our fans stand for! Just look at these paintings and the story they tell: People have tried to keep this warrior down, attacked him and attempted to destroy him. But he stood tall, no matter what! He fought for true metal in country after country. And he will continue the march and fight for his brothers and sisters all over the world, until all enemies of true metal have been crushed!" explained Joey DeMaio.
"This collaboration has been an incredible experience once again," said Ken Kelly. "We didn't know where the journey would lead us. The
art literally takes over and the music and the lyrics guide us. I truly believe the Manowar fans are going to love this series."
Check out the band's official website for 2014-2015 tour dates.
(source: Magic Circle Music)
(Older news on the topic:)
Manowar's 'Kings of Metal' album, a milestone in metal history, was first released on November 18, 1988.
Already a significant force with international success since their debut album 'Battle Hymns', this release, and the following 1989 "Kings Of Metal" world tour, catapulted Manowar to a new sphere. Songs like 'Heart of Steel', 'Kings of Metal', 'Hail and Kill', and 'Blood of the Kings', became instant anthems and remain among the most demanded songs in concerts, celebrated not only by Manowar fans.
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of 'Kings of Metal', Manowar are currently in the studio, recording a brand new special version of the album: 'Kings of Metal 2014'.
"The new rendition will honor the original as it's inspiration, but with additional energy, fully utilizing the power of today's technology and 25 years of experience, and it will contain new arrangements and changes that incorporate live performance elements added over the years," said Manowar bassist Joey DeMaio. "The album will feature additional bonus material and many other surprises," he added.
The new recording is only one component of the 'Kings of Metal 2014' anniversary celebration.
For this special occasion, Manowar will also open their vaults and reveal never-before-seen video footage, photos, behind-the-scene interviews and insight into the history of Manowar and the "Kings of Metal" era.
For the new narration on 'The Warrior's Prayer', the band will be joined by celebrated British actor Brian Blessed ("Henry V", "Macbeth"). Mr. Blessed is a renowned Shakespeare and character actor who has starred, among others, in Kenneth Brannagh's, "Henry V", "Much Ado about Nothing", "King Lear", and Oliver Stone's, "Alexander". Brian also has an affinity with heavy metal music. In June 2013 he received the "Spirit of Hammer Award" at Metal Hammer UK's Golden Gods Awards.
The new recordings will also feature guitarist Karl Logan's, and drummer Donnie Hamzik's contributions, who, after having played these classic hymns many times live, will now have the opportunity to add to their legacy by including their own signature sound and performance.
The release of 'Kings of Metal 2014' is scheduled for the end of this year.
2014 will then see Manowar's anniversary tour, performing the full 'Kings of Metal 2014' album along with their other metal hymns in a completely new stage production.
(source: Magic Circle Music)