AOR Heaven ::: N E W S L E T T E R

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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 13/07/2018

Howdy melodic rockers,

Back to normal business and next week will not see that many new titles, just 3 newies from the likes of CITA, DARE (already in stock) and FREE FROM SIN.

Check also the special offer section as we’ll add more cheapos at reduced prices which will not get mentioned here as there are just very limited quantities.

Please check the first tracks from our upcoming August release from TASTE at www.metalheaven.net !

Have a great week

Georg & Monika

AOR HEAVEN RELEASES!

JEAN BEAUVOIR - Rock Masterpieces Vol.1

A: 11 €

B: 13 €

Crown Of Thorns (Edit)

Feel The Heat (Edit)

Voodoo Queen (Edit)

JEAN BEAUVOIR (ex THE PLASMATICS, CROWN OF THORNS) is way more than “just“ producer, songwriter to session musician for the likes of KISS, THE RAMONES, LIONEL RITCHIE or JOHN WAITE to name but a few. The Haitian-born American has got his own rock legacy with his solo stuff and with CROWN OF THORNS foremost. His biggest hit “Feel The Heat“ from the soundtrack to “Cobra“ is on board, of course, although the majority of the songs (e.g. “Lyin’“ or “Faith“) are taken from various COT-records. “The Awakening“ from the brillant VOODOO X debut is another true gem to be found here. “Rock Masterpiecess Vol. 2“ is coming up soon, too to complete the picture before a brand new album is about to be published! JEAN BEAUVOIR is back, although he hasn’t really been away. Outstanding, too, is the acoustic version of “Standing On The Corner For Ya“ at the end of the fully remastered record.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdFfRN3MrAk

VON BALTZER - Cultural Daze

A: 11 €

B: 13 €

All Night Long (Edit)

Burning Bridges (Edit)

Cultural Days (Edit)

The Swedish band VON BALTZER plays a cool mixture of lots of classic rock, a considerable amount of AOR und a little bit of progressive rock sounds. Stylewise, “Cultural Daze“ could have been made in both the seventies or the eighties - without being old-fashioned at all. The two mainmen Christian Kjellström (g, ATLANTIS) and Erik Palmqvist (g) seem to have found the perfect voice for their purposes. This voice is none but the mighty Ian Parry (e.g. ELEGY, AYREON). “Cultural daze“ offers ten timeless rock songs that mostly kick ass and offer great lyrics about what we as society will have to face in these turbulent days. A band to definitely keep an eye on - or better to open one’s ears to. “Better Days“, “Radio Active“ and “Stepping Stone“ are the right first encounters to the world of VON BALTZER. Produced by Magnus Johansson.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSLdacMj5vY

EXPECTED NEW RELEASES!

DARE - Out Of The Silence II

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

Probably the best - and the most successful - album of DARE, the band lead by Darren Wharton (keys, ex THIN LIZZY), is reissued. Newly recorded and harder as well as more rocking. “Out Of The Silence II“ is certainly no replacement for the brilliant original but a great companion. The freshly polished sounds fit like a glove to genre classics by the name of “Abandon“, “Into The Fire“, “Raindance“ or “King Of Spades“. Well…additionally, Wharton’s voice is still magic. Period!

MARTIN STARK

CITA - Relapse Of Reason & Heat Of Emotion
(2 CDs, digi pack)

A: 15,5 €

B: 18,5 €

Caught In The Act (CITA) roots extend all the way back to 1989. The band quickly rose among the ranks of the most popular bands on the Denver rock scene. The band was noticed by former Axe & Blackfoot vocalist and guitarist Bobby Barth. Barth lived in Los Angeles and brought the band out for a recording session in the summer of 1992. The trip changed the landscape for the band significantly as Bobby Barth managed to secure deals for the band in Europe and Japan. The debut "Relapse Of Reason" and the follow up "Heat Of Emotion" stands for two of the finest melodic rock releases of the 90s. Both albums has been remastered by JK Northrup and contains bonus material.

Listen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-29hkRJL50A&list=RD-29hkRJL50A&start_radio=1

FREE FROM SIN - II

A: 12,5 €

B: 15 €

FREE FROM SIN from Sweden and their second effort once again offer heavy metal in the vein of JUDAS PRIEST and hard rock reminiscent of DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW. This album is darker und heavier than the debut and it manages to capture the listener easily. The thundering “Break And Burn“ and the very playful “Borderline“, which has got STRATOVARIUS moments all over the place, are milestones of this amazing record.

MARTIN STARK

NEW RELEASES IN STOCK !

DARBY MILLS PROJECT - Flying Solo (digi-pack)

A: 12 €

B: 14,5 €

She is one of the finest Canadian Rock singers, she fronted for 36 years celebrated melodic rockers Headpins recording 3 albums, and she did backing vocals of countless '80s records. In August 2016 Darby performed the last gig with Headpins and from this date she's now under her own monicker. The "Flying Solo" stuff is a compilation of songs recorded by Darby Mills during the '80s / early '90s, released under the 'Darby Mills And The Unsung Heroes' moniker, long time out of print. All the material has been digitally remastered for the first time, and it sounds million bucks. Easily among the best female fronted AOR ever recorded, all the songs on this CD are fantastic and simply utterly essential for really every AOR lover !

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twSnnbE6rPg

CLIF MAGNESS - Lucky Dog

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

Slightly rocking Westcoast sounds are to be discovered here. The first CLIF MAGNESS record in a long, long time offers eleven tracks which mostly take you by storm and contain long-lasting melodies at the same time. The frontman and songwriter (e.g. AVRIL LAVIGNE, STEVE PERRY) convinces with fresh compositions and an uplifting attitude. Check out “Love Needs A Heart“ or “My Heart“ for example.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG2sRD2mR0Q

TWO OF A KIND - Rise

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

The long awaited second album of the side-project of TERRA NOVA frontman Fred Hendrix. The vocalist, producer and songwriter hasn’t ever disappointed. The two female singers Esther Brouns and Anita Craenmehr get both their highlights and some space if needed. “Rise“ is a mixture of AOR, rock and a small amount of pop topped with great songwriting all over the place which takes you by storm.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFZYo4ej1Og

GIOELI – CASTRONOVO - Set The World On Fire

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

Two of the best contemporary voices in melodic rock on one album? We talk about Jonny Gioeli (HARDLINE, AXEL RUDI PELL) und Deen Castronovo (ex JOURNEY, REVOLUTION SAINTS) here. At times you can hear that various songwriters were involved but that’s not any sort of problem here considering the given quality. Very strong album! (Of course!) produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio, Frontiers Records’ secret weapon.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqCK9YNKvjU

GRAHAM BONNET BAND
- Meanwhile Back In The Garage (CD + DVD)

A: 14,5 €

B: 17,5 €

Recently, the former RAINBOW-, MSG- und ALCATRAZZ-Fronter GRAHAM BONNET is surprisingly active. At least in the studio his voice still stands the test of time pretty well. “Meanwhile, Back In The Garage“ is a pretty seventies sounding album which fans of Bonnet’s former bands as well as people into UFO or URIAH HEEP will dig for sure. The TINA TURNER cover “We Don’t Need Another Hero“ is fine, too. Classic hard rock can’t never be wrong.

MARTIN STARK

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnHyIVi5Cq8

DESTINIA - Metal Souls

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

DESTINIA is lead by Japanese guitarist Nozoku Wakai who gathers excellent players like Ronnie Romero (v, LORDS OF BLACK, RICHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW), Marco Mendoza (b, THE DEAD DAISIES) und Tommy Aldrige (d, WHITESNAKE) to put together a traditional sounding record. Timeless hard rock and metal gems with cool hooks are the result. A true surprise somewhere between RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE and GOTTHARD. Well done!

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e47QIdEs7g

Y & T - Black Tiger +1 (digitally remastered)

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

“Black Tiger” was released in 1982 and it’s a truly milestone in the history of melodic Hard Rock. After the introduction of the beautiful instrumental “From The Moon” we’re heading straight towards “Open Fire”. It’s one of the heaviest tracks of Y & T and it’s a true classic. A funny jungle-intro and the legendary title track “Black Tiger” comes out of the speakers. It’s another highlight of the band’s history. Sure, they had a lot of good songs after it, but no one was able to compete with the best tracks of “Mean Streak”, “Black Tiger” or “Earthshaker”. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3CbzUCSyKM

Y & T - Mean Streak +1 (digitally remastered)

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

“Mean Streak” was released in 1983. Although the album wasn’t as successful as “Earthshaker”, it contains the sound all the Y & T fans were longing for. Combining hard and edgy guitar riffs, great solos, straight rockers and catchy sing-along tunes, Y & T delivered a real classic album. Titletrack “Mean Streak” opens with a cool riff and pounding drums, while”Lonely Side Of Town” and “Breaking Away” come along with some catchy refrains and great guitar work that VAN HALEN couldn’t do better. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWrqI1FI4TU

Y & T - Earthshaker (digitally remastered)

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

"Earthshaker" is often regarded as Y&T's finest effort. This album was released back in 1981, and it has a slightly different musical approach that separates it from the two previous albums ("Y & T" 1976 & "Struck Down" 1978) and goes more in the same fashion as the following "Black Tiger". "Earthshaker" is a furious rock attack and if you like "Black Tiger" and "Mean Streak" you shouldn't hesitate buying this album. I can honest say that there is not a single bad tune on this greatalbum, and with songs like "Let Me Go", "Rescue Me", "Dirty Girl" among others, this is a real rock classic from Y&T. Digitally remastered re-issue from Rock Candy records.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqa06QTa6Xs&list=PLLdP9XwAjHRsIEQQMG16dMSmKPDtbdzli&t=0s&index=6

AOR HEAVEN SUMMER SALE !!

Our discount offer during the months July / August
- as usual strictly based on a first come, first serve basis !