Los Angeles, CA-based heavy metal outfit, Lightning Strikes, return with their long-awaited new full-length album, The King Is Victorious, out today, February 18. Stream the album here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The album features eight powerful new tracks and showcases a truly international lineup of elite musicians. The majority of The King Is Victorious was recorded by Lightning Strikes co-founder Maksudian, alongside Japanese guitar virtuoso Norifumi Shima (Concerto Moon), American bass legend Barry Sparks (Michael Schenker Group, Yngwie Malmsteen), and rising Argentinian vocalist Mariano Gardella. Rounding out the album is a special guest appearance by keyboard maestro Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion, Sons Of Apollo), who also appeared on the band\u2019s debut release.<\/p>\n Karpis Maksudian shares: \u201cThey said heavy metal was just noise. They said the wait was too long. They said the fire fades with time. They were wrong.<\/p>\n This album isn\u2019t just music \u2014 it\u2019s years of pressure, pain, growth, and hunger forged into sound. Every riff hits harder. Every drum feels like thunder. Every scream carries everything I\u2019ve been holding back. This is the heavy metal you\u2019ve been waiting for. Superstar-level heaters. No fillers. No limits. Just raw power.<\/p>\n I didn\u2019t come back quietly. I came back louder. Stronger. Hungrier. When this drops, it\u2019s not just an album release \u2014 it\u2019s a takeover. Turn your speakers up. Tell the world heavy metal is alive. And get ready\u2026 because once this is out, there\u2019s no turning back.<\/p>\n And I also as a producer want to take this moment to speak from the heart. From the bottom of my soul, thank you to every single person who was part of this powerful journey. This album was built on passion, fire, and brotherhood \u2014 and I\u2019m beyond grateful to the warriors who stepped into the storm with me.<\/p>\n A special, thunderous thank you to the legends who played on the title track \u2018The King Is Victorious\u2019 without hesitation, without conditions \u2014 just pure love for the music and the metal spirit: With The King Is Victorious, Lightning Strikes build upon their legacy with a refined, aggressive, and globally influenced heavy metal sound that honors the band\u2019s roots while pushing forward with renewed intensity.<\/p>\n A Japanese edition of The King Is Victorious will be released via Rubicon Music, featuring a bonus track exclusive to that territory.<\/p>\n Physical CD\u2019s can be purchased in America at the following locations: Walmart<\/a>, Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Japanese version of the CD with bonus track is at the following locations: Disk Union<\/a>, CD Japan<\/a>, HMV<\/a>, Tower Records<\/a>.<\/p>\n Watch the video for \u201cThe King Is Victorious\u201d from the new release below:<\/p>\n The King Is Victorious tracklisting:<\/p>\n \u201cFear Of Unknown\u201d \u201cThe King Is Victorious\u201d video:<\/p>\n
Rowan Robertson, Mark Zavon, Craig Goldy, Norifumi Shima, Takehiko \u201cShake\u201d Kogure, Dario Mollo, Mariano Gardella, Rob Math, Barry Sparks, Derek Sherinian, Michael T. Ross and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. Your talent, your energy, your riffs, your solos, your power \u2014 you helped turn this song into a battlefield anthem. This wasn\u2019t just collaboration\u2026 this was unity. This was heavy metal brotherhood at its finest. The King is Victorious because of all of you. Let the world hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bravewords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lightning-Strikes-The-King-Is-Victorious-750x750.jpg\")
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\u201cVoices In My Head\u201d
\u201cClash Of Battalions\u201d
\u201cThe King Is Victorious\u201d
\u201cAim And Shoot\u201d
\u201cLucid Dreams\u201d
\u201cNew Beginning\u201d
\u201cMasquerade Suite\u201d (Instrumental)<\/p>\n