CD review ALMANAC ‘Rush of Death’

Before approaching Almanac’s new album, I recommend to fasten the seat belts before starting the engine. The power of the album otherwise might blow you away.

‘Rush of Death’ is Almanac’s third longplayer and after having addresses Russian history as well as ‘Kingslayer’ the band puts a focus on the spectacles of racing, from Roman gladiators to modern car racing.

‘Predator’ is the start of this album with the clear command of “Drivers, start the engines”. Almanac doesn’t need a second invitation and starts the engine right away. The opener is a vibrant song, including the trademarks of great guitar play, a pushing beat and excellent vocals by the duo Sühl/Marchewka.

Tim Rashid’s bass introduces you to the title track a hymnic Power Metal track, done with musical savvy. ‘Let the Show Begin’ is a narrated interlude, bridging to ‘Soiled Existence’, a blistering Metal track. The power of Heavy Metal, the bombast of a symphonic component and the well-done melodies are the key elements of this song. ‘Bought and Soul’ builds on the same foundation. After a drum roll kicked off the tune the band shifts gears rather quickly.

It’s not a coinsident that the middle part of ‘Race of Death’ reminds of the ‘Lingua Mortis’ days of Rage. Smolski was a driving force at the time and the middle of the current album is a direct sequel to what started in 2006 with ‘Speak of the Dead’. The quintet, together with the Inspector Symphony Orchestra and the Ensemble Virtuoso, put with ‘Satisfied’ a milestone for Symphonic Power Metal on this longplayer, a song that combines Classic and Metal with an ease that is impressive.

The final triple of songs on the album doesn’t put a foot on the brake either. The race continues and the engine is running on all cylinders. ‘Like a Machine’ is the finale lap of the album and after 48 minutes the finishing line is crossed.

‘Rush of Death’ is a really strong album, brimming with power and energy. Well-done and great stuff for headbangers.