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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 22/05/2020 |
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Howdy melodic rockers,
The next round of our weekly
newsletter sees a couple of more interesting newies
settled for next week or already in stock (Vandenberg,
Intelligent Music Project). With the Halo re-issues and
the new Wild Souls album around the corner this should
be surely of interest for quality melodic rock lovers.
Stay healthy
Georg & Monika
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CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD - Sonic Forces
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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Album number five of the Swedish band and their best so far. New vocalist Martin Holsner is a great match and especially the songwriting, compared to the previous albums, which were are all but bad, is once again way better and focussed. “Sonic Forces“ starts off with the possible hit “Headlights“ and that’s actually the path they follow. There are a few steps into classic rock territory (“Time To Deliver“) here and there but mostly it’s anthem-like songs (“Young Hearts“ or “Midnight Cruiser“) that need to be played live for sure. Produced by Dave Dalone (H.E.A.T). Fans of H.E.A.T., CREYE, CARE OF NIGHT or HAREM SCAREM will certainly embrace this album! Great choice!
MARTIN STARK |
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Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCz8o5heI_Y |
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STONEFLOWER - Finally
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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STONEFLOWER play AOR without any compromises and add a great portion of Westcoast. The Norwegian band, despite some line-up changes, is around for some years but - believe it or not - this album is their first proper release not only available on the well-known mail-order services. Just listen to “Gonna Let Go“ or “Kaylee“ or “Through The Fire“. Furthermore, “Believing“ is probably the best ever TOTO-song which is not written and performed by TOTO themselves. Guests are e.g. Tommy Denander (g) und Gunnar Westlie (g, Da VINCI). An amazing artwork is the icing of the cake of this brilliant record. Lovers of WORK OF ART, LIONVILLE, MECCA or THE MAGNIFICIENT should definitely give it a spin. You won’t regret it! The irresistible “Shivering Hands“ is the perfect start!
MARTIN STARK |
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Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgwIbjLZrnQ |
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EXPECTED NEW RELEASES!!
INTELLIGENT MUSIC PROJECT V - Life Motion
(digi pack)
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Part five of the allstar project led by project leader /
music composer MILEN VRABEVSKI, a Bulgarian doctor of medicine, a businessman
and a well-known person in his home country. He gathered a bunch of well-known
musicians and singers around him through the years and on "Life Motion" we can
welcome the singers RONNIE ROMERO (RAINBOW, VANDENBERG), JOHN PAYNE (ASIA),
RICHARD GRISMAN and TONY CRUMPTON, while the legendary SIMON PHILLIPS plays
drums and co-produced the record. Especially Ronnie Romero proves again that
he's one of the greatest rock singers at the moment and "Life Motion" offers a
superb slice of great melodic- meets classic rock tunes. Highly recommended ! |
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listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZTsypYfUf8&list=OLAK5uy_njcye9VE3SKRtVEoSmueLwRi4-6ImrVog&index=1 |
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HALO - Halo +4 (digitally remastered)
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Halo was a melodic rock band that formed in Alabama back in 1980 when drummer
Mike Graham was introduced to vocalist Scott Springer & guitarist Keith Mims.
After almost a decade of performing together the band met up with Bob
Hartman(Petra) at a Petra concert and handed him a cassette recording of some of
Halo's tracks. After having listened to the tape, Bob contacted the group and
invited them to his home studio to record a demo. The demo was then presented to
John Elefante of Pakaderm Records who quickly got the band into his studio to
produce their first full length offering, which contained a perfect slice of
classic AOR stuff next to AVIATOR, IDLE CURE and ALLIES. Digitally remastered
re-issue.
listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTkX2e69SQA |
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HALO - Heaven Calling +4 (digitally
remastered)
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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In 1991 Halo released their highly anticipated follow-up full length album
titled "Heaven Calling" on Pakaderm Records. The band's sophomore release was
produced by brothers John & Dino Elefante of Kansas fame. The line-up for this
release was comprised of vocalist Scott Springer, guitarist Barry Graul, and
drummer/keyboardist Mike Graham. With the release of "Heaven Calling", the band
garnered some fame when their title cut was debuted on Billboard's Top
Contemporary Christian chart at No. 21. In addition, Halo had a total of four
Rock hits over the band's career. Overall "Heaven Calling" turned out slightly
softer as critcally acclaimed debut, but still containing some great AOR tunes.
Digitally remastered.
listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBksZM-O05I |
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VANDENBERG - 2020 (ltd. edition box set)
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A: 15,5 € |
B: 18,5 € |
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Adrian Vandenberg is mostly known for his time in WHITESNAKE but prior to that
and again he has got bis own band called VANDENBERG. Just recently he teamed up
with exceptional vocalist Ronnie Romero (ex CORELEONI, RAINBOW) from Spain and
that seems to be a match made in heaven. The simply “2020“ titled album mostly
offers the kind of stuff that WHITESNAKE, DEEP PURPLE or RAINBOW fans don’t get
from their idols for ages. Produced by Bob Marlette (e.g. ALICE COOPER). The ltd.
edition box set contains 4 guitar plecs, 2 coasters & 1 postcard.
MARTIN STARK
watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqrSfC-kej8 |
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WILD SOULS - Queen Of My Heart
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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The Greek melodic hard rock band WILD SOULS has released two
albums so far ("On The Road" and "Game Of Love"). The new album kicks-off with
the Whitesnake-esque tune of "Nothing But Loving You". For sure, a great start
to kick off thing here. A classic hard rock tune that features strong
arrangements, a tight musicianship and, of course, superb guitar lines by the
dynamic duo of Tsiligiris and Kalantzopoulos. The grouvier and hard hittin'
blues tune of "Night Groove" is one of my personal favourites here while with
"Love Ain't No Lie" Wild Souls brings back the glory sound of the mid 80's with
style. Overall a pretty good release with some average tunes inbetween, but
worth checking out.
listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOWaGzuqvdo |
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NEW RELEASES IN STOCK !!
FM - Synchronized
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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FM delivers one strong album after another. Who would have thought that some
10-15 years ago? Obviously the charismatic voice of Steve Overland is a core
element but we should not reduce FM to that. It’s a unity that perfectly
harmonizes - not forgetting their astonishing live performances, though. Album
number twelve does certainly not re-invent the wheel but nobody would expect
that for sure. A little bit more blues and even soul this time which perfectly
suits Overland’s voice, of course.
MARTIN STARK
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g0AaEi-Q6s |
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ONE DESIRE - Midnight Empire
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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ONE DESIRE are and have been in between pure AOR and sugar sweet melodies with
lots of pop appeal. The Finnish outfit with frontman André
Linman (ex STURM UND DRANG) fully delivers on their second effort.
Melodies as far as you can hear and a contemporary and strong production. A true
highlight for lovers of the genre. An AOR/melodic record with Champions League
qualities, no fillers whatsoever and lots of outstanding tracks like “After
You’re Gone“, “Down & Dirty“ or “Heroes“.
MARTIN STARK
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srI4pmaBBms |
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ROOM EXPERIENCE - Another Time And Place
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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ROOM EXPERIENCE stand for AOR with a little bit of Classic Rock. The Italian
outfit is able to have David Readman (v, PINK CREAM 69) on board for their
seconds album again as well as several other guests. Mainman Gianluca Firmo (keys)
wrote lots of outstanding tracks. Just check out “The Distance“ and “Strangers
In The Night“. To cut it short: Music to beam you to another, better and
timeless place! Great record!
MARTIN STARK
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hUaQeajbtI |
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PRETTY MAIDS - Maid In Japan (CD + DVD)
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A: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
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Another live output of the Danish band, this time from two gigs from far away
Tokyo, Japan in November 2018. Like the title suggests, the iconic 1987 album
“Future World“ is in the center of attention, played in its entirety plus a
handful of other gems like “Sin-Decade“ or “Kingmaker“. Furthermore, it comes
alongside the DVD with the gig including lots of extra footage. PRETTY MAIDS
being one of the most energetic live acts out there needs no introduction, does
it?
MARTIN STARK
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J38MBUH1Wzs |
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DENNIS DEYOUNG - 26 East, Vol. 1
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Former STYX-frontman going solo again. Initially planned as the final album, it
became part 1 with a follow-up coming soon. Second driving force behind the
material is Jim Peterik (g, ex SURVIVOR, PRIDE OF LIONS).
Slightly progressive classic rock with lots of exciting moments.
DENNIS DeYOUNG certainly is one of
those really unique voices out there. On “To
The Good Old Days“ you find a duet with none but Julian Lennon. Real
music!
MARTIN STARK
Listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ezG38Iirqg |
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HER CHARIOT AWAITS - Her Chariot Awaits
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Frontiers Records offer some harder sounds these days. HER CHARIOT AWAITS is a
good example, although the band with female vocalist Ailyn (ex SIRENIA) and Mike
Orlando (g, ADRENALINE MOB) even though they are kind of surprising from the
start. Hard Rock with lots of (harder) metal elements for the most part.
Certainly most fitting for lovers of technical, aggressive,
modern and extremely catchy but rather heavy music.
MARTIN STARK
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYiqpYJk6y0 |
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CHRIS ROSANDER - 06/26
TUPLE - 06/26
VEGA - 06/12
HOUSE OF LORDS - 06/12 |
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