|
AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 08/10/2021 |
|
|
|
Howdy melodic rockers,
The hottest time of the year in terms of
new releases has started this week and there is much
more to come, soon.
Our new releases from Osukaru and Six
Silver Suns are already online and can get ordered. The
next bunch of Frontiers releases (Leverage, Lords Of
Black, Devoid, The Grandmaster) is in stock as well and
on top the new Station CD has been shipped and should
arrive early next week.
Around the same time we should get the
new Heartland CD and the Pride & Joy label offers us two
goodies from the likes of Dan Lucas and Supernova
Plasmajets.
Keep an eye on the Black Diamonds CD
"Floor 13" which is a limited item of just 500 copies
and it was only on sale at their recent tour and the
remaining copies from us.
Last but not least and a bit out of the
blue comes the re-issue of the classic JAG WIRE CD "Made
In Heaven" with 7 bonus tracks. The shipment is already
on it's way and with a bit of luck it should get
delivered today or Monday at the latest.
Happy shopping !
wishing you a great week
Georg & Monika
|
AOR HEAVEN RELEASES:
OSUKARU - Starbound
|
A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
|
|
.jpg) |
AOR and melodic rock from Sweden at its best, even if album number six sounds a bit rougher or harder in comparison to the first five efforts. Given the genre, there are quite versatile arrangements and surprise here and there. And frontman Fredrik Werner sounds pretty rough at times which is a cool counterpart to the partly sugar sweet compositions. Definitely check out the mid tempo monster “Somewhere Sometime Somehow“ with a guest appearance by Mark Holden (sax, BOULEVARD) or the fascinating “Joker (In The House Of Cards)“. No fillers whatsoever and production is first class! A really cool record! OSUKARU definitely plays the same league as fellow Swedes TREAT, H.E.A.T. or ART NATION by now.
MARTIN STARK |
|
watch: https://youtu.be/XUZA3FPjf98 |
|
.jpg)
|
|
SIX SILVER SUN - As Archon Fall
|
A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
|
|
.jpg) |
Finnish outfit SIX SILVER SUNS and their debut “As Archon Fall“ sound like a hybrid of THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA and BLUE ÖYSTER CULT. This record is a fascinating journey through the sound of the seventies with some eighties flavour. A really beautiful artwork completes the picture of a breathtaking record here. Tracks like “Children Of The Stars“, “Lord Of The Southern Tower“ or “Cosmic Bitter Blues“ for instance make the listener constantly discover new exciting details. Let’s keep track of these guys from up North!
MARTIN STARK |
|
watch: https://youtu.be/5N_x8HM1leA |
|
.jpg)
|
|
EXPECTED NEW RELEASES !!
JAG WIRE - Made In Heaven..Not Dead Yet +7 (digitally
remastered)
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
Formed in Los Angeles, California, USA,
Jag Wire’s origins lay in a band named Sin feat. Art DeResh (vocals, Howard
Drossin (guitar), Vince Gilbert (keys), Joey Cristofanilli (bass) and Carl Elizondo
(drums), their initial appearances sold out, leading to a recording contract
with local independent Target Records. Their debut, ‘Made In Heaven‘, followed
in 1985 and contained an unique mix of classic AOR, hard rock and traces of US
metal like an amalgam of WHITE SISTER, LEGS DIAMOND and MALICE. Ultra rare on CD
and now re-issued incl. 7 bonus tracks (2 tracks from Sin, 2 live tracks, 2
unreleased tracks plus 1 new song), digitally remastered by keyboarder Vince
Gilbert. Don't miss it !
listen:
https://youtu.be/81HsaC8w7xw |
|
STATION - Perspective
|
B: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
|
|
|
|
STATION is a melodic rock outfit from New York. Rather guitar
than keyboard driven but also with elements from hardrock, rock/pop and
contemporary stadium rock. Ten great tracks that stick in your ear easily. The
band’s frontman Patrick Kearney is amazing. “Perspective“ offers a hard-hitting
production and a great guitar sound foremost. But also way above average
songwriting makes the album shine. E.g. “Do You Really Want To Fall In Love
Again“ or “Believe“ will make you love this album.
MARTIN STARK
watch:
https://youtu.be/ze5axuwbvlg |
|
HEARTLAND - Into The Future
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
British outfit HEARTLAND around Chris Ousey (g, VIRGINIA WOLF)
with their first new record in like 14 years! Steve Morris (g) has left the
building but is replaced by none other than the American Mike Slamer (g, SEVENTH
KEY, STREETS) among others. Slamer’s influence is clearly recognizable. Typical
British melodic / hard rock with great melodies. Essentiell stuff for fans of
FM, TRISHULA or RAGE OF ANGELS. Timeless music! Strong effort!
MARTIN STARK
listen:
https://youtu.be/1dnlF2O78Mg |
|
SUPERNOVA PLASMAJETS - Now Or Never
|
B: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
|
|
|
|
SUPERNOVA PLASMAJETS put out their sophomore album “Now Or
Never“. The female fronted band is simply fun. Extremely catchy songs that rock
like hell and are presented constantly with a twinkling of an eye. Good vibes
guaranteed. Jennifer Crush (v) is able to rock like hell but also to include
emotional vocals when needed. The German band is able to top their cool debut
“Supernova Plasmajets“ (2017). Just check out the magical “Beggin’“. You gotta
get it!
MARTIN STARK
watch:
https://youtu.be/cRBBF46igbk |
|
DAN LUCAS - The Long Road
|
B: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
|
|
|
|
DAN LUCAS (ex KARO) is pretty far away from the AOR and
melodic rock sound he used to play around the millennium and rather operates in
the field of singer/songwriter on “The Long Road“ nowadays. The „Voice Senior“
winner in Germany 2018 is in good shape concerning his voice for sure. And the
production is fine, too. A very mature record with mostly in-depth lyrics,
partly auto-biographical, but certainly not a feel good/party album.
MARTIN STARK
watch:
https://youtu.be/xgOmOz5-8AQ |
|
BLACK DIAMONDS - Floor 13
(special mail order edition)
|
B: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
|
|
|
|
Something really nice and exclusive offered by Swiss outfit
BLACK DIAMONDS. “Floor 13“ is a special album made for the recent headliner-tour
containing rare stuff like the GARY MOORE cover “Out In The Fields“, live
versions (e.g. “No-Tell Hotel“ or “Turned To Dust“) and even unreleased material
(“Black Thunder“). Limited to 500 copies and distributed in Germany exclusively
via AOR HEAVEN. Grab it! Hell yeah! Finest melodic hard rock!
MARTIN STARK |
|
LEVERAGE - Above The Beyond
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
“Above The Beyond“ is the fifth album of the Finnish outfit
around frontman Kimmo Blom (URBAN TALE) who sings for the second time since
2018. It can best be categorized as progressive melodic rock. There are many
exciting details which are noticeable after a couple of spins and easily prove
that the Finnish outfit does lots of things right with their comparatively wide
range of AOR, progressive rock and hard rock. To put it simple: LEVERRAGE rocks!
MARTIN STARK
watch:https://youtu.be/mQ-0F5WQamM |
|
THE GRANDMASTER - Skywards
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
Yet another project from Frontiers Music, this time with
Brazilian vocalist Nano Fernandes, Alessandro Del Vecchio (keys/b, HARDLINE,
REVOLUTION SAINTS), Jens Ludwig (g, EDGUY) and Mikro De Maio. “Skywards“ is not
bad at all but heard many times. If you are into DIO, ALLEN/LANDE or the like
you are definitely not wrong here. Classic eighties hard rock without big
surprises but actually well done.
MARTIN STARK
watch:https://youtu.be/w2yRzYLcbwk |
|
DEVOID - Lonely Eye Movement
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
French melodic metal band combines the typical sound of the
genre with quite modern arrangements and technical as well as playful sound
elements. Album number two is a huge step forward concerning songwriting as well
as production. On vocals you get Carsten “Lizard“ Schulz (EVIDENCE ONE, ex
DOMAIN), who is easily one of the best German hard rock voices. Just check out
he slightly complex “Man Without Fear“.
MARTIN STARK
watch:https://youtu.be/IsGq4YQpBbU |
|
LORDS OF BLACK - Alchemy Of Souls Pt. II
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
LORDS OF BLACK with frontman Ronnie Romero (RAINBOW, THE
FERRYMEN) are continuously busy and put out their fifth album. It’s the second
part of their 2020 album “Alchemy Of Souls Pt. I“ which is as strong as the new
one. Fans of the genre who like DIO, RAINBOW or even (harder) GOTTHARD will dig
this album and on top of that you get a pretty organic sound. Co-produced, mixed
and mastered by Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN). Just checkout “Prayers Turned To
Whispers“.
MARTIN STARK
watch:https://youtu.be/UFb7HQVokzs |
|
NEW RELEASES IN STOCK!!
ECLIPSE - Wired
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
Swedish outfit ECLIPSE
around mastermind Erik Mårtensson offers a very unique sound. That is both
because of his voice and the typical songwriting style. “Wired“ is slightly
harder and rougher but all within well-known limits. The constantly growing
fanbase of the band exactly gets what they expect. All tracks would easily fit
the live set of the Swedes which is an absolute proof of quality. Just check out
„Dying Breed“ or “Bite The Bullet“.
MARTIN STARK
Watch:
https://youtu.be/xjhFkyU-Afk |
|
HOUSTON - IV
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
AOR as AOR has to be.
Swedish band with frontman Hank Erix are the incarnation of the genre. Keyboards
as far as the ear can hear, sophisticated songwriting and a sheer unbelievable
sense for hooklines. Not much rock going on here but that’s not needed foremost
for songs like the SURVIVOR-like “Heart Of A Warrior“ or the extremely catchy
“Lifetime In A Moment“. They are are simply great tunes. The Swedes should
definitely make original records more often than putting out regular cover
albums.
MARTIN STARK
Watch:
https://youtu.be/_GET3NKDQ-Q |
|
WAYWARD SONS - Even Up The Score
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
WAYWARD SONS stay strong on
their third album. Massive seventies influenced hard rock. They prove once again
that there is lots of hope for Britisch rock. Toby Jepson (LITTLE ANGELS, GUN)
on vocals is in very good shape. Furthermore, the convincing songwriting makes
“Even Up The Score“ being their very best effort so far. A well-produced record
that manages to get you rockin’ whether you like it or not. Good times
guaranteed!
MARTIN STARK
Watch:
https://youtu.be/XZLwmE56RuY |
|
JEFF SCOTT SOTO - The Duets Collection – Vol.1
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
Eleven tracks taken from the
illustrious career of the American vocalist (TALISMAN, SOUL SIRKUS, AXEL RUDI
PELL, JSS etc.). Interestingly enough but understandable if you know the story,
there is no JOURNEY song whatsoever. The guests for the duets include heavy
weights of the scene such as Eric Martin, Erik Mårtensson, Deen Castronovo or
Dino Jelusic among others. Do we actually need such an album? Well, concerning
the sheer quality…yes!
MARTIN STARK
Watch:
https://youtu.be/DF5sHLiud1o |
|
BAD
HABIT - Autonomy
|
B: 14 € |
B: 16,5 € |
|
|
|
|
“Autonomy“ is way heavier
and more modern than w hatwe were used to from the Swedish melodic rock outfit.
Not a real bad record but one with a few surprises and partly huge changes
style-wise. Nevertheless, the guitars are energetic. Tracks like “Reach For You“
or “Love Will Find A Way“ give a good impression on what to expect here. Luckily,
these days you can easily check out the material prior to purchase.
MARTIN STARK
Watch:
https://youtu.be/e8dmdl6HRJM |
|
ALICE COOPER - The Last Temptation +4 (digi pack, digitally remastered)
|
B: 13,5 € |
B: 16 € |
|
|
|
|
By the time "The Last
Temptation" was released in 1994, the hair band fad that had fueled Alice
Cooper's return was dead, and Cooper was obviously aware of its downfall -- the
album sounds almost nothing like its two predecessors "Trash" and "Hey Stoopid".
Instead of relating to such albums as Motley Crue's "Dr. Feelgood", "Last
Temptation" seems more similar to Ozzy Osbourne's "No More Tears". Far
surpassing anything Cooper recorded in almost 20 years, "The Last Temptation" is
unquestionably some of his best work. Alice was joined on this record by Stef
Burns on guitar, Greg Smith on bass, Derek Sherinian on keyboards and David
Uosikkinen on drums. Bad Reputation re-issue, digitally remastered.
Watch:
https://youtu.be/8g6zV-FIxGU |
|
TONY MITCHELL - 11/26
EDGE OF THE BLADE -
11/26
NESTOR - 10/22
ANDY QUNTA - 10/22
MARK EDWARDS - 10/22
MONRO - 10/22
|
|
|
|
