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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 22/11/2019

 

Howdy melodic rockers,

After the shock last with the injury of my wife things are slowly getting back to normal standard. Monika is now back home and helping as much as possible, but it’s still a challenge to get everything done in the usual manner.

On top there is the Heat festival in the pipeline at the next weekend and this will be the first time without Monika, so plenty of things to take care in advance.

If you’re waiting for the new King Of Hearts CD at our “expected new releases section” – well, until now I haven’t received any shipment notification from down under !

 

wishing you a great week

Georg & Monika 

 

 

AOR HEAVEN RELEASES!

CARL DIXON - Unbroken

A: 11 € B: 13 €

“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

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJIqg5pSHr4

 

KEEN HUE - Heydays

A: 11 € B: 13 €

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

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUEA3MafNi4

 

 

 
EXPECTED NEW RELEASES !!
 

THE VAL - King Ocelot

A: 12,5 € B: 15 €

After almost five years, Spanish melodic rockers THE VAL are back with new material, the brand new album titled “King Ocelot“. Taking a foundation 80s AOR and Melodic Rock, The Val adds to their musical palette several other influences into a unique mash-up where taste and elegance are the order of the day. “King Ocelot” is the third, and most complete musical opus from the band, strong in songwriting & arrangements – there’s some brilliant moments here, and while the AOR sound of all time is the core of The Val, everything is enriched with a multitude of nuances, details. THE VAL are all about classy AOR / Melodic Rock, however the band take these sub-genres as base and develops a unique style & sound.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GGdM-CWSuI

SIGN X - Like A Fire

A: 12,5 € B: 15 €

SIGN X is the successor of Hamburg-based band Châlice. New vocalist Sebastian Zierof does a really good job and adds lots of quality to the sound. The QUEEN-like “Rain“ as well as the epic “Crush“ is reminiscent of the mighty TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA. In addition to that, the EN VOGUE cover “Free Your Mind“ is brave but well done. Cool also to have Hammmond sounds by new keyboardist Michael Jotzer here and there. Cool band, cool record!

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k332y6Ne0PY

AXXIS - Best Of EMI Years (2 CDs, digi pack)

A: 16 € B: 19,5 €

German hard rock / melodic rock outfit AXXIS created history especially with their first two albums 1988 and 1990. But also “The Big Thrill“ (1993) contained some very good songs. All the material used here was carefully re-recorded and impressively proves the exceptional status of the band from Lünen/Germany. Essential to new fans as well as for longtime followers. Everything sounds fresh without giving away the magic of the originals!

MARTIN STARK

HEAVY PETTIN’ - The Big Bang +2 (digitally remastered)

A: 13,5 € B: 16 €

“Big Bang” , the third album from the Bristish melodic rockers, was released in 1989 and saw them changing their style from the Def Lep orientated hard rock of the first two releases into the hookladden 80s AOR style with plenty of keyboards and the highpiched vocals from singer Hamie, which sounded not that far away from SHY’s TONY MILLS. No surprise that they were called as the European answer to JOURNEY – check tracks like “Lonely People”, “Looking For Love” or “Madonna On The Radio !” and imagine that one of the mighty Steve’s (PERRY /AUGERI) handles the vocal duties. Digitally remastered re-issue incl. 2 bonus tracks and linernotes.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wbTJD2_hhw

HEAVY PETTIN’ - Lettin’ Loose +2 (digitally remastered)

A: 13,5 € B: 16 €

This Scottish hard rock quintet was formed in July 1981 when vocalist Steve Hayman and guitarist Punky Mendoza joined with guitarist Gordon Bonnar, bassist Brian Waugh and drummer Gary Moat. Taking their name from a UFO album, they toured the UK heavily, and their impressive three-track demo led to a single, "Roll The Dice”, through Neat Records followed by a major contract with Polydor. “Lettin’ Loose”, produced by Brian May and Queen producer Mack, was a confident display of the band’s talents, with their catchy melodic hard rock being favourably compa-red to Def Leppard, but the follow up “Rock Ain’t Dead” (1985) was a much stronger affair along the lines of Def Lep’s mega seller “Pyromania”.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7lQZpUlH1o

HEAVY PETTIN’ - Rock Ain’t Dead +1 (digitally remastered)

A: 13,5 € B: 16 €

Heavy Pettin’ followed "Lettin’ Loose" with "Rock Ain’t Dead" in 1985, and it stands as significantly stronger than their debut. The production is much better, the songwriting more is more thought-out and everything just seems more professional and complex. This is most likely because Heavy Pettin’ really began picking up on the Airplay-Oriented rock trend that groups like Journey and Foreigner had brought to massive acclaim. “Rock ain’t Dead” holds a fair amount of powerful melodic rockers in “Heart Attack”, “China Boy”, the power ballads “Lost in Love” and “Dream time” and the super dramatic “Sole Survivor”-an unforgettable chorus by any means. Digitally remastered incl. 1 bonus track and linernotes.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAIydnNizY4

BURNT OUT WRECK - This Is Hell

A: 13,5 € B: 16 €

This Is Hell‘ is the second album from hard-rocking British hard rock outfit Burnt Out Wreck. Following on from their deservedly praised debut, ‘Swallow’, this long playing offering opens up in typically bone-crunching style withrecent single “Dead Or Alive”;a rip-snorter with frontman Gary Moat opening up those vocals in prime Bon Scott style. Gary Moat was the drummer and songwriter for Scottish hard rockers Heavy Pettin and This Is Hell has been over 2 years in coming but it certainly has been worth every minute of the wait. This is an offering that will satiate the gods of rock, kind of a mixture between AC/DC (Bon Scott era) and Nazareth. Superb stuff for classic hard rock fans.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptQ8WPYYc2c

 
 
NEW RELEASES IN STOCK !
 

JASON SCHEFF - Here I Am

A: 13 € B: 15,5 €

Jason Scheff of course was vocalist & bass player for Chicago between 1985-2016, when he left the band to record “Here I Am”. For fans of Chicago's mainstream years, Jason Scheff always will be ‘the vocalist’. While Champlin and other members of the band shared lead vocals too, Scheffy leads where ’80s Chicago trademark. Of course there’s a lot of special guests on the record, from Alex Lifeson of Rush to Tommy Thayer of KISS, all contributing with their magic. 30 years ago “Will You Still Love Me” would have been a hit, title track “Here I Am” bring to my mid the luxury sound of King Of Hearts, while “Look Away” is one of these midtempo semi-ballads that made Chicago famous circa 1987. Truly superb from start to finish !

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CAlGb5Nh6Y

TYGERS OF PAN TANG - Ritual

A: 13,5 € B: 16 €

British outfit TYGERS OF PAN TANG are one of the most famous participants of the NWoBHM and after a row of rather average albums they fully surprise with “Ritual“. The single “White Lines“ with its irresistible riffing and its powerful groove is a good example of how good they are these days. Seems to be the golden years for the abnd. Even the production is really convincing this time. Hats off!

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRBZ9V6tPCU

PERSIAN RISK - Who Am I? & Once A King (2 CDs)

A: 14,5 € B: 17,5 €

PERSIAN RISK, or rather CARL SENTANCE’ PERSIAN RISK, to be precise, are an example of the less harder side of the genre. Former KROKUS and current NAZARETH vocalist Sentance does a great job here. The two albums first released in 2012 respectively 2014 are strong witnesses of the recent phase of the NWoBHM-band. Much value musically for your money!

MARTIN STARK

Listen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p71RFuBIpaA&list=PLeERMLpdu5RQVJ-xxvSD8nh5FH3T3Nmg9&index=2&t=0s

KEEL - The Final Frontier (digitally remastered)

A: 13 € B: 15,5 €

Keel was formed by former Steeler vocalist Ron Keel including him on vocals, David Michael Phillips on guitar, Marc Ferrari on guitars, Bobby Marks on drums and Kenny Chaisson on bass guitar. Keel’s debut album "Lay Down The Law" (1984) caught the eye of KISS‘ Gene Simmons, resulting in his production of their second album, "The Right To Rock" (1985). Their next and also Simmons-produced third album “The Final Frontier” (1986) took the catchiness from the hair metal movement and added a metal aggressive approach, always with melody as main focus. At the end of the year, Keel won the best band of the year award in the Metal Edge magazine reader’s poll. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

Watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXC34joX0Nc&list=PLEXRla9ABQSN5h2dhbJ15klk-Xvmy1zYc&index=4&t=0s

KEEL - Keel (digitally remastered)

A: 13 € B: 15,5 €

After the poor production of the otherwise solid "The Right to Rock", and the average production on the otherwise great "The Final Frontier", Keel finally enlists a world class producer in Michael Wagener, known for his work with Accept and Dokken. The result is an album with substantially improved sound quality, and much tighter arrangements than previous efforts. Keel proves that they are capable musicians and songwriters that had simply been in need of a good producer from the beginning. Highlights incl. the phenomenal opener "United Nations", "Somebody's Waiting" and "Calm Before The Storm". Without a doubt the finest Keel album and a hair metal classic. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEnHgSv-7AI

FASTWAY - Trick Or Treat (digitally remastered)

A: 13 € B: 15,5 €

Despite the band’s fast acceptance and good fortune with their debut album, subsequent albums failed to capitalise on that success, leaving the band to commercially flounder, despite providing a slew of captivating tracks, solid songwriting and a sound and swagger crafted from the very best of British blues rock. ‘Trick Or Treat’ was the band’s fourth album and in some ways their swansong. It was an unusual creation, being effectively the soundtrack to a fairly successful heavy metal horror film, issued November 1986, one month after the film’s commercial release. The album contains a brace of raw recordings that hark back to the praised debut and 2nd albums. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

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

HIDEAWAY - Hideaway

A: 13 € B: 15,5 €

Mixing classic AOR of all times with traditional melodic hard rock punch, “Hideaway” is the debut album from Greek combo HIDEAWAY, following the musical steps of country fellows Wild Rose. The band was formed back in 2010, but the missing piece of the puzzle was to find a lead singer and they found the great Manos Fatsis, who presented his terrific Odyssey Desperado album last year. Greek melodic hard rock / AOR bands rarely disappoints – Wild Rose, Outloud, Odyssey Desperado – and now Hideaway join the list with a superb debut. “Hideaway” has ‘that sound’ of yesteryear and the golden days of the genre, but spiced with a punchy production.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYtv3GNf4mo

DEGREED - Lost Generation

A: 13,5 € B: 16 €

Finally the follow-up to the fantastic “Degreed“ (2017) is finished, on which the Swedes once more prove their exceptional approach soundwise. DEGREED and their frontman Robin Eriksson foremost are unique. Modern sounding but with immortal melodies, the band manages to bridge the gap between classic AOR/melodic rock and contemporary hard rock. “Lost Generation“ is a strong statement of strong band.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGLqz5qltPo

SILKED & STAINED - Goes Up To Eleven

A: 13 € B: 15,5 €

Greek melodic hard rock act Silked & Stained is back with its 2nd album entitled "Goes Up To Eleven". The band's debut. "Love On The Road", was released back in 2017 and gained positive feedback from both fans and music press. Later, in April 2018 debut's lead singer Bill Tsaklidis left the band due to some personal issues and Silked & Stained soon announced Haris Mos as their new singer. "Goes Up To Eleven" sounds bigger, better and a step forward regarding the debut. It sounds edgier more up-tempo and the final result will please every fan of the melodic rock sound. If you dig classic melodic rock with a modern twist you should give "Goes Up To Eleven" a try for sure.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGGyiq-0_jg

REDLINE - Ghosts And Monsters

A: 12,5 € B: 15 €

“Gods And Monsters“, the new and second album of hard rock outfit REDLINE from Birmingham/England convinces with heavy riffs, thundering rhythm and a voice like dynamite. Classic hard rock with obvious seventies roots. Calling themselves torchbearers for a new wave of classic rock and metal, they might be on the right path already. At times the songs (“Gods And Monsters“) sound - believe it or not - like a hybrid of classic rock and QUEENSRYCHE.

MARTIN STARK

 
 

COMING NEXT !!
 

KING OF HEARTS - 11/29
HOUSE OF SHAKIRA - 12/06
EDGE OF FOREVER - 12/06

AOR - Metal Heaven :: Georg Siegl :: Landshuter Str. 11 :: 84051 Altheim :: GERMANY

phone: ++49-8703-8517 :: fax: ++49-8703-8568 :: e-mail: georg.siegl@aorheaven.com

www.metalheaven.net :: www.aorheaven.com