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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 08/11/2019 |
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Howdy melodic rockers,
Weird time over here as since about 2
weeks we have a hard time to get stock from our major
supplier Soulfood, which is distributing Frontiers and
AFM Records over here. We have now found out that the
problem lies with Avos, a company which is in charge of
the warehouse and picking the orders. It seems that this
company is dealing with insolvency and most shipments /
orders got stucked.
This happened this week also with the
new Frontiers releases from Pretty Maids, Work Of Art
etc. Meanwhile for example we have received our
requested quantities of Pretty Maids and Quiet Riot, but
no idea when we'll get Work Of Art / Tyketto / Edge Of
Paradise. On top we have received vinyl copies of The
Dark Element instead of CDs, so you better don't ask me
how I feel at the moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wishing you a great week
Georg & Monika
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CARL DIXON - Unbroken
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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“Unbroken“ showcases CONEY HATCH frontman CARL DIXON in excellent shape. The new solo effort of the Canadian came into being in prolific and close collaboration with Robby Böbel (FRONTLINE, EVIDENCE ONE, PHANTOM 5) and offers eleven strong melodic rock songs that jump from hard rock to AOR at times. Self-deprecating and personal lyrics (“Nothing Lasts Forever“) and happy songs praising the good times (“Summer Time“) inclusive. The title track at the end of the record and the second to last “Keep The Faith“ are a good match, not only as a message. With Mark Santer (SANTERS) on drums ,who works with DIXON for many years, another Canadian rock veteran in on board. Canada rocks! But that’s yesterday’s news.
MARTIN STARK |
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listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJIqg5pSHr4 |
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KEEN HUE - Heydays
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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Swedish band KEEN HUE have basically inactive for a long time and even longer when it comes to most original members. The songs of this new lifesign have been written between 1981 and 1989 but newly recorded and freshly produced. Nevertheless, “Heydays“ sounds like they have never really been away and all of that after 26 (!) years. Vocalist Lars-Åke "Plåtis" Nilsson delivers a convincing performance and sounds pretty versatile. This record is nothing but a travel in time. It’s a journey into the high times of melodic rock, the “Heydays“. Although not every single track has got he quality of e.g. “Fly Away Honey“ or “Crossfire“, not only these songs prove that fans of the genre can’t do wrong here.
MARTIN STARK |
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listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUEA3MafNi4 |
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EXPECTED NEW RELEASES !!
ADRIAN BENEGAS - The Revenant
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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Metal from Paraguay (!) is what you get with ADRIAN BENEGAS (g, TRAGUL) and he can count on popular guests like Ralf Scheepers (v, PRIMAL FEAR), Henning Basse (v, FIREWIND) oder Herbie Langhans (v, AVANTASIA). Although guitars certainly rule here, the songwriting is above average so that it sounds rather like a band than another of those countless projects for the most part. A name to be remembered!
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmLQ6V5WD1A |
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ARCANA KINGS - Lions As Ravens
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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Canadian act ARCANA KINGS mixes up influences from AC/DC to FOO FIGHTERS as well as BIG COUNTRY to THE CLASH spiced with a bagpipe here and there. A cool track like “Friend Of Mine“ or the initially quiet and somehow awkward “Headful Of Devil“ with a good portion of MIDNIGHT OIL. Stadium rock in a different way, but certainly not a mainstream release! They did a really good job on the SLADE cover “Run Away“.
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LflLddqJIgo |
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WRECKING CREW - Fun In The Doghouse +3
(digitally remastered)
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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“Fun In the Doghouse“ of Australian band WRECKING CREW was first released in 1993 but was soon lost in the vaults although the mighty Kevin Shirley (RUSH, IRON MAIDEN, JOURNEY etc.) took over production duties. The material is full of energy and groove. It can best be compared to GREAT WHITE or SAIGON KICK. Partly bluesy (“Ten Cent Lovin“) and pure hard rock at times (“Stay“), too, but always exciting. Digitally remastered re-issue incl. 3 bonus tracks.
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5LexI_PG-M |
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THE DARK ELEMENT - Songs The Night Sings
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Swedish vocalist Anette Olzon (v, ex NIGHTWISH) and her Finnish guitar-player and songwriting-partner Jani Liimatainen (CAIN’S OFFERING) deliver an excellent melodic metal album with some decent slices of gothic rock. Very melodic and very detailed production, too. Really good sophomore album of THE DARK ELEMENT. Check out the mighty “Silence Between The Words“ first!
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-vyg5Vvg3I |
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NEW RELEASES IN STOCK !
STATION - Stained Glass
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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“Stained Glass“, album number three of New York City melodic rockers, is a fine example of how cool melodic rock can sound these days. STATION is a comparatively new band without a past in the heydays of the genre but a fresh outfit with amazing songwriting abilities and a powerful production. Let alone the powerful and groovy opener “A Matter Of Time“ shine that has got plenty of THUNDER or LITTLE ANGELS vibes. “Angel“, too, with its great instrumental outro is pretty fascinating.
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq9V9o4IOcg |
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PRETTY MAIDS - Undress Your Madness
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Danish outfit PRETTY MAIDS are hard-working and delivering high quality constantly. The new record “Undress Your Madness“ is (luckily) no exception. There’s everything on the fifteenth record from the rather dark opener (“Serpentine“) to melodic metal anthems (“Firesoul Fly“ or “Will You Still Kiss Me (When I See You In Heaven)“) to the fine power ballad by the name of “Shadowland“, which means the full range of the band sound is delivered. Superb production by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT).
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsBz33HAoh0 |
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WORK OF ART - Exhibits
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Swedish AOR-heroes around guitarist and songwriter Robert Säll (W.E.T., GROUNDBREAKER) still are the spearhead of pure AOR/melodic rock from up north. The fourth album “Exhibits“ took a while. There are no fillers and a great performance - as usual - by Lars Säfsund (LIONVILLE, ENBOUND) on vocals. The Swedes can’t do wrong. Let alone “Be The Believer“ shine, a song that is better than some complete records of other genre contestants these days.
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFELwC4U6HQ |
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QUIET RIOT - Hollywood Cowboys
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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“Hollywood Cowboys“ is the first QUIET RIOT album with frontman James Durbin, who already quit the band recently. The weak spot of this output is the songwriting for sure, which rarely leaves average grounds. A grunge-like track like “Change Or Die“ needs time to work. But on the other hand there is the bluesy “Roll On“ or the powerful “Wild Horses“ with which the Americans show why they are an important part of the genre for decades (on and off) nevertheless.
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6vBMCCtIFk |
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TYKETTO - Strength In Numbers - Live
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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A top class live release like everything the British-American band ever put out. Recorded in March 2019 on the tour by the same name. It showcases the complete second album of TYKETTO and an unreleased track (“Wait Forever“) of that very period when “Strength In Numbers“ came into being. Like recently on “Live In Milan“, the sound is pretty good and the atmosphere nothing but stunning all over the place.
MARTIN STARK
listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi6fnNxWACI |
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EDGE OF PARADISE - Universe
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Los Angeles-based EDGE OF PARADISE combine melodic and symphonic metal with modern influences like industrial and electronic elements. Sounds strange but at the end of the day it’s a solid record with a few real gems like “Fire“, “Electrify“ or “Alone“. Margarita Monet is one of the better voices of the (female) melodic metal and EDGE OF PARADISE pretty exciting for the most part.
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-zJrFpp3BU |
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KING OF HEARTS - 11/29
HOUSE OF SHAKIRA - 12/06
EDGE OF FOREVER - 12/06
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