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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 03/08/2018 |
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Howdy melodic rockers,
I assume everyone in Europe has to
deal with this extreme hot summer, so it’s surely not
the best time to sell CDs. Under this circumstances
we’re quite happy to close down our biz for two weeks –
exact date below.
Anyway, next week sees some really
cool new titles. Especially the new Kissin’ Dynamite is
a real cracker, but you also shouldn’t miss the new
releases from Airrace, 3.2, Primal Fear or Mad Max.
Please check the first tracks from
our upcoming September releases from ATLAS and
NEWMAN at www.metalheaven.net due soon!
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Please take note:
WE HAVE CLOSED FOR OUR VACATIONS FROM AUGUST, THE 11th
UNTIL AUGUST, THE 26th. |
Have a great week
Georg & Monika
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JEAN BEAUVOIR - Rock Masterpieces Vol.1
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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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 |
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Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdFfRN3MrAk |
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VON BALTZER - Cultural Daze
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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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 |
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Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSLdacMj5vY |
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EXPECTED NEW RELEASES !
MAD MAX - 35 + 1 (ltd. edition digi pack)
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A: 13,5 € |
B: 16 € |
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Ten songs plus an exciting intro (“The Hutch“) are offered here. The album title “35“ certainly is no coincidence. It’s - believe it or not - thirty-five years of MAD MAX by now. Studio album number twelve is another exciting chapter. Frontman Michael Voss didn’t sing that well since the good old CASANOVA days. “Running To Paradise“, “Snowdance“ or “Rocky Road“ can certainly become future band classics.
MARTIN STARK
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mP7LIFhBKs |
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KISSIN’ DYNAMITE - Ecstasy +2 (ltd. edition digi pack)
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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German “stadium rockers” Kissin’ Dynamite have delivered the album that I was hoping that Swedish rockers H.E.A.T would have released after their 2015 album "Tearing Down The Walls". While H.E.A.T went on an experimental journey complete with at times keyboards overload with their latest record "Into The Great Unknown", Kissin’ Dynamite have taken the mantle so to speak from the Swedish rockers. Kissin’ Dynamite state that their thing and band foundation is to deliver “catchy good-time hooks and enjoyable tunes full of passion” and they have definitely accomplished this with their sixth studio album "Ecstasy". Quite simply, "Ecstasy" is a perfect example of melodic rock with an edge at its finest.
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJdffKMCVX4 |
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AIRRACE - Untold Stories
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Shaft Of Light“ from 1984 is still considered a classic among AOR connoisseurs and when after a long break the follow-up came out in 2011 expectations were pretty high. But “Untold Stories“ is even better than the second record. Laurie Mansworth (g, ex MORE) and his son Dhani (d, THE TREATMENT) as well as the rest of the band totally deliver. The result is a timeless hard rock record with a large portion of the seventies and emotional vocals by newest addition Adam Payne.
MARTIN STARK
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RAP_1jj87w |
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3.2 - The Rules Have Changed
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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A fine slice of progressive rock with songs written by Keith Emerson (keys, EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER). “The Rules Have Changed“ is the follow-up to the 1988 3 debut. Multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry sang, played all instruments and recorded the album on his own after the death of Emerson in 2016. Great album with a lot of depth in all respects and interesting twists. Amazing classic progressive rock with a lot of emotion.
MARTIN STARK
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmc87bd-xy4 |
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PRIMAL FEAR - Apocalypse + DVD (ltd. edition digi pack)
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A: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
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PRIMAL FEAR, German band from Swabia, release records like a clockwork and deliver all the time, album by album and have never ever disappointed. “Apocalypse“ certainly is no exception. This is how metal metal should sound like. Album number twelve is one of their best and they have raised the bar many times so far. Exciting songwriting and a powerful production complete the picture. Check out the fast “New Rise“ and the epic “Supernova“.
MARTIN STARK
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdnffd6nyls |
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KING COMPANY - Queen Of Hearts
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Finnish outfit KING COMPANY does not make compromises at all and with their own songs obviously pay tribute to their idols by the name of WHITESNAKE, MAGNUM or DEEP PURPLE. The second effort sees a chance behind the microphone but the new guy (Leonard F. Guillan) does one hell of a job, too. Perfect for fans of THUNDERSTONE and STRATOVARIUS, too. An album to listen to for a long time.
MARTIN STARK
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CUzybZ25Ek |
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ENUFF’Z’NUFF - Diamond Boy
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Back with a new line-up, bass-player and vocalist Chip Z’nuff is back with a mixture of melodic rock and power pop with a small portion of sleaze to conquer the hearts of rock fans worldwide. Only the production, which is actually a bit lame, overshadows the good overall impression a bit. The songs themselves are pretty good at times, though, and believe it or not are THE BEATLES-like here and there. But also CHEAP TRICK fans should give it a spin.
MARTIN STARK
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHxvooM8tZA |
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SPECIAL OFFERS!!
JAVA - Change Of Heart
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A: 7,5 € |
B: 9,5 € |
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Strictly limited to 1000 numbered units, this release is the only result of the band JAVA around Rosella Santoro (v/keys) and Rob Deegan (g/v). Finest hard rock/AOR recorded in 1987 and sounding exactly like that. „Change Of Heart“ finally sees the light of day, something that back in the days for whatever reason didn’t happen. At times with influences from VAN HALEN, BON JOVI or HEART.
MARTIN STARK
listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLHanqr73Fs |
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RAGE OF ANGELS - The Devil's New Tricks
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A: 7,5 € |
B: 95 € |
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Sophomore release of melodic rock project put together by Ged Rylands (ex TEN, TYKETTO), Way more classic rock elements and only one vocalist this time instead of many. It's Rob Moratti (ex SAGA, FINAL FRONTIER) this time and he is doing a great job. High quality songwriting, excellent musicianship and a top production. No fillers at all and a lot of details to be discovered. One of the must haves for every melodic maniac this year.
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVCbUu0AdVA |
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THE ANGELS - No Exit
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A: 5 € |
B: 6,5 € |
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"No Exit" is the follow-up album to The Angels (known as Angel City in the US) classic "Face To Face" album. You'll find the same energetic crowd favourites here as on FTF, but there's some songwriting growth on display with tracks like "Out Of The Blue" and "Dawn Is Breaking", which have quiet and sombre moments like "Outcast" on FTF. The Angels (along with AC/DC and Rose Tattoo) helped to create and define an era of Australian rock music. No Exit is an integral part of that era, and is arguably the middle part of a series of three albums which defined The Angels, and documented their growth for what was a remarkably short period of August 1978 to July 1980.
listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kELGCwMBEvA |
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WALK ON FIRE - Mind Over Matter
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A: 7,5 € |
B: 9,5 € |
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Long lost 24-track-analogue-recordings, once meant to form the follow-up to the 1989 WALK ON FIRE debut, are backbone to "Mind Over Matter". Musicians from ASIA, BRIAN MAY band, SPANDAU BALLETT and Secret Affair were involved. Pretty guitar-driven and showcasing the amazing talent of Alan king on vocals. A record like a time travel to the age when rock was everything. Alone "Spinning Wheel" and "Pleasure Of Pain" would make "Mind Over Matter" a fantastic choice. A melodic rock jewel!
MARTIN STARK
listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuuG46P61qs |
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TASTE - 08/27
BRIDE - 08/27
SKULL (re-issues) - 08/27
TREAT - 09/12
URIAH HEEP - 09/12
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