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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 21/02/2020

 

Howdy melodic rockers,

Really crazy times at the moment as it seems that every week another title stirs problems with the delivery.

While last week some of the new Frontiers titles were not available in time (but finally showed up today !!) this week we won't get the new H.e.a.t. CD in time. Their label Edel informed us that they had to run another pressing as there was an error on the initial first pressing. We should get now copies by early(mid of next week.

Tickets for H.e.a.t. festival 2020 are also now available through our website. The festival takes place at the Scala in Ludwigsburg due November 28th/29th. Bands confirmed so far incl. GLASS TIGER, HAREM SCAREM, KINGDOM COME, ALIEN, NEWMAN, 91 SUITE, ROYAL HUNT, VICTORY, OSUKARU, 20 DARK SEVEN, FIGHTER V, NIGHT LASER & more to come !

have a great week

Georg & Monika

 

 

AOR HEAVEN RELEASES!

JESSE DAMON - Damon's Rage

A: 11 € B: 13 €

The SILENT RAGE-frontmann JESSE DAMON puts out solo albums on a regular basis for years and album number seven is probably the best so far. Melodic hard rock with the typical slightly raspy voice of the American and hook-laden compositions you would expect. “Play To Win“, “Love Gone Wild“ oder “Wildest Dreams“, to mention a few songs only, take you by storm. And then there’s the epic “Flyin’ Dutchman“ which adds a little bit of a different flavor to the record. Produced by AOR legend Paul Sabu who also co-wrote two songs and sang powerful backing vocals. Damon and Sabu are working together for a long time, a match made in heaven for sure in terms of writing and recording. A cool hybrid of hard and melodic rock that will easily please fans of KISS, HOUSE OF LORDS or SILENT RAGE, of course.

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO-GwD5c3Xk

 

SHAFT OF STEEL - Steel Heartbeat

A: 11 € B: 13 €

AOR from London/UK? Non-existent? Well, it it! The five-piece SHAFT Of STEEL, who put out a highly praised EP some years ago, are back for good and deliver an amazing debut full of timeless AOR anthems. The nucleus of the band are Alex Markham on guitar and vocalist Robert Fenning, who developed from a heavy metal band to a pure AOR act. The emotional ballad “Body And Mind“ or the WORK OF ART-like “Touching You Everyday“ are ear candy of the finest sort. But the absolute highlight is “Everytime I Look At You“. What an AOR / melodic rock gem it is! Don’t be mistaken by the rather heavy metal-like artwork and band name. Melodies, keyboards and lots of positive vibes rule here. Backing vocals and mastering by Dennis Ward (ex PINK CREAM 69). Great record!

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3P_q34NyUk

 

 
EXPECTED NEW RELEASES!!

H.E.A.T. - H.e.a.t. II

A: 13 € B: 15,5 €

Being the sixth studio effort already but nevertheless the album title fits in a way because it’s basically the first with Erik Grönwall (v), who made the band sound harder, to fully connect with the first two releases. Extremely melodic but with a good portion of heaviness and an exceptional sense for great arrangements. It’s the fourth with Grönwall but it sounds like a fresh start. The best songs since the legendary first two releases. Well done! H.E.A.T. are (really) back for good!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kiv3-1Ync2o

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA - Aeromantic

A: 13 € B: 15,5 €

They are likely the hottest band around but “Aeromantic“ is already their fifth effort! Frontmann Björn Strid (SOILWORK) is able to deal with his love seventies hard and pomp rock without limits. Plenty of melodies, sophisticated arrangements and eye-twinkling lyrics and a lot of fun foremost, that’s what you get on “Aeromantic“. Hype or not, this band is simply fantastic, unrivaled and unique. Period. Just listen to “Divinyls“ or “Transmissions“ for evidence. Strong contender for “album of the year“.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUh5iyl0Pyw

XTASY - Eye Of The Storm

A: 13 € B: 15,5 €

Spanish band XTASY topped every album with the next so far. Right away (“Die Young“) you feel like on a rollercoaster ride. “Eye Of The Storm“, album number three of the female fronted melodic hard rock band, is harder (“The War“ or “Play With Fire“) than the first two efforts but offers amazing melodies (“Perfect Strangers“ or “Welcome To My World“) as well. Great stuff for fans of VIXEN, MARTINA EDOFF or even ECLIPSE.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaXLLU30I4g

SHAKRA - Mad World (ltd. edition digi pack)

A: 14,5 € B: 17,5 €

They are the better GOTTHARD these days and rock like there is no tomorrow. The Swiss outfit, which reunited with vocalist Mark Fox a few years ago, definitely knows the language of hard rock. Riffs that grab you by the balls, cool hooks and lots of authentic groove. if you are into AC/DC, GOTTHARD, CRYSTAL BALL or KROKUS, you have to love SHAKRA. “A Roll Of The Dice“ with its mighty guitars or the melodic “Thousand Kings“ set the pace here.

MARTIN STARK

NILS PATRIK JOHANSSON - The Great Conspiracy
(ltd. edition digi pack)

A: 13,5 € B: 16 €

“The Great Conspiracy“ is the second solo effort of ASTRAL DOORS-fronter NILS PATRIK JOHANSSON (ex CIVIL WAR). It’s no secret that he can sing like hell. This concept-album is rather heavy metal than hard rock. There are epic tracks and songs where the Swede gives full throttle, too. The lyrics are sophisticated and deal with the mysterious 1986 assassination of Swedish prime minister Olof Palme.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9_fBzgwV-s

 

 
 
NEW RELEASES IN STOCK !!
 

EKLYPCE - Passion After Midnight +4 (digitally remastered)

A: 12,5 € B: 15 €

Vol. 7 of the much sought after "Lost U.S. jewels" series sees the release of little known US act EKLYPCE.  Led by vocalist Bob Wheeler, their debut album “Passion After Midnight” was released independently on vinyl format during 1989 and it’s a treasure trove of Bon Jovi and Surgin-esque AOR.  Whether it’s the surging “Make Me Feel Right”, the stabbing keyboard brilliance of “I’m Only Me” or “Lady Love” with its liberal sprinkling of keyboards, this is an album for the AOR “connoisseurs” / Melodic Rock collectors, a true “lost jewel” that has been fully restored and remastered incl. 4 bonus tracks, liner notes by Rob Evans and as usually strictly limited to 500 copies.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2lNgRjLdGE

SAVANNAH NIX - a LONg time ago DOes Not mean f**k all (dig. rem.)

A: 12,5 € B: 15 €

Founded in London during 1987 and originally composed by Swiss-Spanish vocalist Dave Rubio (later replaced by Marc Huckle), SAVANNAH NIX officially released two demo-tapes during the 1988-1989 period, with a third one and some more songs recorded and never released to the public.  With a strong image and a very intriguing sound influenced by bands like Skid Row, Dokken, Motley Crue and Ratt, SAVANNAH NIX played the England live-circuit for some years, trying, in the meantime, to find the right label-deal, that never arrived.  The “Lost UK Jewel” CD will featured all the material ever recorded by the band, taken from the original master-tapes. Digitally remastered by the band and strictly limited to 500 copies.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k0w10N1BDM

ROBERT HART - Pure

A: 12,5 € B: 15 €

“Pure“ is a timeless melodic rock record with lots of classic rock and also obvious pop elements. ROBERT HART (v, MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND, ex BAD COMPANY) brings the songs to live using his slightly raspy voice. “Sensational“ is a true eighties flavored song with lots of groove while the melodic “This Is The Night“ is more of a potential hit single. Backing vocals and production by the mighty Steve Overland (FM).

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FFjLjZfg3w

COLLATERAL - Collateral

A: 12,5 € B: 15 €

British four-piece rock band Collateral are set to release their highly anticipated eponymous debut album after creating a decent hype by winning several competitions like the one from Camden rock festival. So – the Kent-based band is comprised of Angelo Tristan (lead vocals, guitar), Todd Winger (guitar), Jack Bentley-Smith (bass) and Ben Atkinson (drums). And so to their first full-length album. Although the band have been quite tight-lipped about the new songs, their summertime exposure will have give people a good idea as to what to expect. Collateral have created a quality album that undoubtedly draws on a number of sources, notably American Stadium-rock influences such as Bon Jovi and Nickelback.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H8dE94MgsM

CONFESS - Burn 'Em All

A: 12,5 € B: 15 €

Swedish sleaze rockers Confess consisting of lead vocalist John Elliot, drummer Samael, bassist Ludwig, and guitarists Blomman and Pontus are back on track with their third album "Burn 'Em All". Confess become, along the years, one of the leading forces in the Swedish sleaze / hard rock scene. With their top selling album "Jail" and the 2017 release "Haunters" they’ve been touring all over the world in the last 6 years, hitting countries all over Europe and the US. The Swedish five pieces combo took some time off to write the hits for their third official studio album. It’s for sure their most honest and well crafted release so far. Some would say it’s the perfect mix between their debut album “Jail” and the follow-up “Haunters“.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqwrd5cRJsU

HARDLINE - Life Live + DVD

A: 14,5 € B: 17,5 €

HARDLINE, pretty active recently and having a stable line-up around original member Johnny Gioeli (v, AXEL RUDI PELL) for years, recording and playing live a lot. Recorded at the 2019 edition of the Frontiers Rock Festival, the American-Italian five-piece takes you on a journey through all of their albums with songs of their legendary 1992 debut being the absolute highlights. A guest appearance of original drummer Deen Castronovo completes the picture here. Great stuff!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M40TxMiHfnc

 

SPECIAL OFFERS !!
 

SIGNAL RED - Under The Radar

A: 6 € B: 7,5 €

SIGNAL RED is a brand new band from the UK featuring two very respected musicians namely guitarist Steve Grocott (TEN) and vocalist Lee Small (PHENOMENA, SHY, LIONHEARTt). “Under The Radar“ is typical British melodic and hard rock pleasing fans of the likes of NEWMAN, HEARTLAND or TEN for sure. Amazing songs like the highly melodic “Emotions In Motion“ or the AOR gem “Making Contact“ should easily convince listeners.

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cjDcSdoHh8

STEVE WALSH - Black Butterfly

A: 7 € B: 8,5 €

STEVE WALSH, former KANSAS frontman puts out his fourth solo effort called “Black Butterfly“. A great rock album with a little bit of everything in terms of melodic rock (“Born In Fire“), progressive music (“Hell Or High Water“) and pop (“Warsaw“) that will appeal to a broad audience easily. Together with Tommy Denander (g), STEVE WALSH created an album consisting of many facets. The American seems to have an astonishing sense for melody and arrangements. A great album with a slightly different flavor.

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnmSnzPP-SE

 

COMING NEXT !!
 

ARKADO - 03/27
NEWMAN - 03/27
RETURN / V re-issue - 03/27
HAREM SCAREM - 03/06
KHYMERA - 03/06
GOTTHARD - 03/13

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

AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 21/02/2020