The Lord of Steel is the twelfth studio album of the American heavy metal band Manowar. It was first released as a download on June 16, 2012 and the limited-edition pre-release special edition CD of the British heavy metal magazine Metal Hammer on June 26, 2012; 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.[2] It will feature cover art by Ken Kelly who has worked on many previous Manowar covers. It marks a change in the band's sound,[citation needed] moving away from the symphonic sound of Gods of War and going back to the style of Louder Than Hell with the production quality of Thunder In The Sky.[citation needed]
The Hammer Edition is the CD version that came in the Metal Hammer's 100% Official Steel Edition bundle (including this CD, the HolyHell's "Darkness Visible (The Warning)" EP and the magazine Metal Hammer #233) exclusively from Metal Hammer UK. Also available as digital download released on Manowar webshop. It includes a 16-page digital booklet featuring complete lyrics and brand new band photos.
The Retail Edition, originally scheduled for September 28, hit the stores on October 19, 2012 on CD, limited-edition picture vinyl and as digital album. It features a 24 page booklet, an opulent new illustration by fantasy artist Ken Kelly, a brand new song titled The Kingdom Of Steel, entirely different mixes and many new arrangements compared to the limited pre-release.[5]