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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 20/03/2020 |
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Howdy melodic rockers,
Crazy times indeed like never before
(for our generation) and this means that we now have to
act farsighted and without any panic. This is a hard
time for almost every human being in the world, that's
why we should keep the focus on helping and protecting
those people which need it the most.
Under this circumstances we have
decided to move our April releases from Captain Black
Beard and Stoneflower back to May, the 15th. Also
Frontiers has announced to delay their April releases
(FM, One Desire etc.) back to May 22 and I'm pretty sure
there will be more to follow.
Our mailorder will be in full service
as long as the delivery services are delivering the
goods. For next week we have organized a nice bunch of
Christian re-issues as you can see below.
Stay healthy
Georg & Monika
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AOR HEAVEN SPECIAL RELEASE!
RETURN - V (digitally remastered)
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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The rerelease of “V“, probably the best album of Norwegian melodic rockers, makes sense, absolutely no doubt about that. The records sounds way more international than the first four efforts, as it successfully combines the typical American stadium rock sound with a little bit of British blues in the vein of WHITESNAKE and the original Scandinavian AOR. Outstanding tracks like “Take This Heart“ or “Ridin’ On A Rainbow“ would have been major hits back then in a world without grunge in 1992, of course. Frontmann Knut Erik Østgård is easily recognizable and the production is really big time. Digitally remastered re-issue incl. liner notes by Dave Reynolds, new pictures and strictly limited to 1000 copies.
MARTIN STARK |
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listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u3pN_H5g-o |
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ARKADO - Never Say Never
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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ARKADO hails from Sweden and plays melodic rock and AOR without compromises. Their first ever full-length release in thirty-seven years of „band history“, of which the band didn’t exist for the most part, is full of melodies and versatile arrangements. A great eighties record…from 2020. Let alone the mighty “Don’t Rape The Nature“ shine. Also the emotional “My Hometown“ is a true highlight as well as the rather quiet “So Fine“, a classic ballad. “Never Say Never“ is great stuff for fans of ROULETTE, SAPPHIRE EYES or AGE OF REFLECTION, too. An acoustic version of the title track ends the album in a very high manner.
MARTIN STARK |
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watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRnaGZJPqkI |
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NEWMAN - Ignition
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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After three years “break“ where mainman Steve Newman concentrated on songwriting for other acts, “Ignition“ will likely surprise. It’s the most „colourful“ record of NEWMAN so far. They are pushing the borders slightly more left and right compared to the previous records. Tracks like the anthem “Worth Dying For“, the highly melodic “Chasing Midnight“ or the title track, actually bridging contemporary sounds and typical eighties pop-rock of the better kind, speak for themselves. But also the energetic “Last Chance“ and foremost “The Island“, reminiscent of the mighty TOTO, deserve attention. Amazing record, this “Ignition“!
MARTIN STARK |
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listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb5wHRlNguY |
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EXPECTED NEW RELEASES!!
MASTEDON - It's A Jungle Out There +3 (digitally
remastered)
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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In the course of the re-release of several classic Christian
AOR albums also MASTEDON’s legendary and rare debut “It’s A Jungle Out There”
(1989) get re-issued. The album combines 80’s US Hard Rock a la QUIET RIOT and
RATT (“It’s A Jungle Out There”, “Love Inhalation”) with slightly progressive
Melodic Rock in the vein of KANSAS at the times of “Drastic Measures”. No
wonder, since the moving forces behind the band were Dino and John Elefante of
KANSAS fame. The best songs are the Melodic Rock anthem “Get Up”, the VAN
STEPHENSON-like “Love That Will Survive”, the Gospel influenced ballad “Shine
On” and the monumental “Right Hand”.
listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXObhqbJCDA |
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MASTEDON - Lofcaudio (digitally
remastered)
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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After the success of their debut album in 1989, John and Dino Elefante formed
Pakaderm Records and release this, their second album, "Lofcaudio" (1990) on
their own label. This album also features an all-star cast, but most of them
aren’t named because of legal issues with other record labels. "Lofcaudio" has
four vocalists namely John Elefante, Dave Amato, Tom Bowes, and James Dean
Longacre which are fitting the slick and pompy AOR sound of this album perfectly.
Massive, fullscale AOR with lovely melodies, harmonies and layered sound
straight out of the Kansas songbook with John & Dino Elefante. Without a doubt
one of the finest Christian AOR releases ever and finally available again !
listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSLgU8d9nKg |
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BARREN CROSS - Atomic Arena (digitally
remastered)
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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After parting ways with Star Song following the release of its 1986 debut "Rock
For The King" Barren Cross signed with Enigma Records. Barren Cross, if
anything, continues that trend on "Atomic Arena", an album
featuring some of the finest moments of the bands career in the area of
songwriting. The melodic metal of “Imaginary Music” and driving “Close To The
Edge”, for instance, stand out with their catchy chorus hooks and “In The Eye Of
The Fire” and “Dead Lock”, two standout pieces reflecting a classic metal feel,
an abundance of guitar driven initiative. With John & Dino Elefante (ex-Kansas)
at the production helm the album turned out more polished in the vein of
Leatherwolf / Fifth Angel. Digitally remastered.
listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtO66bAI378 |
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BARREN CROSS - State Of Control +2 (digitally
remastered)
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Los Angeles Barren Cross were among the best-known Christian metal bands to
emerge in the 80s. They released their debut album "Rock For The King" in 1986,
followed by rhe remarkable Atomic Arena (1989) and then came "State Of Control"
in 1989. Along with Stryper and Guardian, Barren Cross was one of the few bands
that actually appealed to metal fans who didn't shop in Christian bookstores for
their music. The impact of producers John and Dino Elefante is significant with "State…" adding
even more AOR pitch-perfect choruses in the background that gives this melodic
heavy metal album its fair share of commercial appeal. Digitally remastered
re-issue incl. 2 bonus tracks.
watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsneKcBFSJc |
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GUARDIAN - Miracle Mile (digitally
remastered)
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Teaming up with Dino and John Elefante (Kansas) for 1991’s "Fire And
Love" album was a game-changing move for Guardian. The album was an
overwhelming hit with fans, in regular rotation on MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball, and
the band turned into the consummate road warriors with extensive U.S touring
throughout 1991 and a European tour with Stryper in 1992. Recorded in Nashville,
"Miracle Mile" (1993) demonstrates a band locked in as a cohesive unit, being
fun, imaginative, and creative in ways that pushed them far beyond anything they
had ever done. "Miracle Mile" built off bands like Tesla,
Extreme, and Giant but was distinctly Guardian. Digitally remastered re-issue.
watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NgA9eI0XCc |
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WILDSIDE - Formerly Known As Young Gunns
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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The story of Wildside, and ultimately of „Formerly Known As Young Gunns“,
reads like an E! True Hollywood Story. Young Gunns followed the legendary path
to Hair Metal glory in 1988-1989, dominating the sunset strip, and ultimately
landed a massive record deal when Capitol Records and Polygram records had a
bidding war to land them. Prior to their mega classic „Under The Influence“
album YOUNG GUNNS recorded plenty of great tunes. 15 tracks in total and not
every song is a chart-topper, but there are plenty of great songs on this record.
Take equal parts Ratt, Guns and Roses, and Dangerous Toys, its a shame Wildside
didn’t get a chance to shine.
watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVaF82kRHVs |
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NEW RELEASES IN STOCK !!
LIAR - Sunset Plaza Drive +1 (digitally
remastered)
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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A proper release of the long-lost 1978 AOR piece is overdue and makes sense.
Steve Mann (g, SCHENKER FEST, LIONHEART), Paul Travis (g) and the rest of the
band totally deliver here. There’s an old but newly recorded track by the name
of “Woman“ that didn’t make it on the album as bonus. The material sounds still
surprisingly fresh after 42 (!) years. Solid UK hard rock meets uplifting US
Westcoast. For fans of ANGEL and BOSTON.
MARTIN STARK
watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VQ7ee7mzPo |
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ANI LO:PROJECT - A Time Called Forever
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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The name ANI LO. PROJECT might sound unusual but the music you find on “A Time
Called Forever“ is quite impressive. It’s a metal and hard rock piece that grabs
you by the balls. Female vocalist Ani does not sound that much typically female
at all but surprises with an impressively powerful and energetic voice. Check
out “End Up In Sorrow“ and “Cold Death“. Cool stuff from Münster/Germany.
MARTIN STARK
watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu_CuRs6dLE |
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BENEATH MY SINS - I Decide
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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BENEATH MY SINS from France play symphonic heavy metal, mostly melodic and quite
versatile. “I Decide“ profits from both the strong voice of female fronter Emma
Elvaston and the strength of Clements Botz’s (g) riffs. Some guests like Matteo
Sisti (ELUVEITIE) oder Melissa Bonny (AD INFINITUM) can be found to add
different flavor here and there and at the end of the day, you get a record that
will surely satisfy fans of the given genre.
MARTIN STARK
watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zYEHw4Fdac |
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SIGNAL RED - Under The Radar |
A: 6 € |
B: 7,5 € |
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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 |
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STEVE WALSH - Black Butterfly |
A: 7 € |
B: 8,5 € |
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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 |
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CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD - 05/15
STONEFLOWER - 05/15
FM - 05/22
ONE DESIRE - 05/22
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