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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 03/01/2020 |
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Howdy melodic rockers,
Happy new year from the AOR Heaven
camp !
Well, I was a bit lazy for some times
during the holidays, but now it's time again to let the
business roll. We'll start by next week by Tuesday, the
7th (as there is a national holiday over here at the
6th) and we already expect some nice goodies incl. our
January releases from the likes of AUTUMN'S CHILD, EASY
ACTION and THE RAGGED SAINTS.
A few more newies are in the pipeline
as you can see below and there are plenty more, but some
retailers / sources have closed until this weekend, so
there is much more to come, soon-
have a great week
Georg & Monika
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AOR HEAVEN SPECIAL RELEASE:
EASY ACTION - That Makes One +2 (digitally remastered)
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A: 12 € |
B: 14,5 € |
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Swedish outfit EASY ACTION with guitar player Kee Marcello who shortly after the second record went on to join EUROPE changed their style significantly from their rather glam metal-like debut in 1983 to some kind of blueprint for numerous AOR records two years later. Tracks like “Only Love“ or “Partners In Crime“ easily prove this. This rerelease comes with two bonus songs taken from the (rare) singles “Talk Of The Town“ (“Eye For An Eye“) and “In The Middle Of Nowhere“ (“There Is A River“). Vocalist Tommy Nilsson perfectly fits the songs with his energetic voice. “That Makes One“ is remastered by Chris Lyne and limited to 1000 copies. Grab it!
MARTIN STARK |
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listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xife2-ICcEI |
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AUTUMN'S CHILD - Autumn's Child
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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AUTUMN’S CHILD and their great debut somehow ring a bell. Obviously it’s some kind of continuation of LAST AUTUMN’S DREAM, who are on some kind of hiatus after almost 15 records at the moment. Let alone the songwriting, the voice of frontman Mikael Erlandsson or the typical artwork shine. The Swedes - apart from Erlandsson there are Jona Tee (keys, H.E.A.T.), Robban Bäck (d, ex ECLIPSE, MUSTACH), Pontus Åkesson (g, SAFARI MOON) and Claes Andreasson (g, HEARTBREAK RADIO) simply rock. Tracks like “Face The Music“ or “Heaven Knows Your Name“ need to be played live. Caught somewhere between hard rock, AOR and pop stylistically, this debut offers a powerful and versatile production. Strong record!
MARTIN STARK |
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listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgN2FYqGzQE |
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THE RAGGED SAINTS - Sonic Playground Revisited
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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Finest melodic rock from Finnland. THE RAGGED SAINTS easily deliver their music like it’s still 1987. “Sonic Playground Revisited“ contains melodic anthems (“Never Gonna Let You Down“ or “Absence Of Light“), dry rockers (“Pretending Diamond“) or a beautiful ballad by the name of “Just Believe“, too. Frontmann Markku Kuika offers a wide range vocally and highlights the songs pretty well. In comparison to the 2013 debut “The Sound Of Breaking Free“ more keyboards have been added. Good stuff for lovers of Whitesnake, Def Leppard, Ratt and the like. Highlight is the powerful and extremely melodic “Turning Cold“. It doesn’t need to be Sweden all the time, though.
MARTIN STARK |
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listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lCMPZLTOls&t=24s |
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EXPECTED NEW RELEASES !!
BAD RADIATOR - BR V
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A: 13,5 € |
B: 16 € |
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Swedes BAD RADIATOR start this 2020 with their new, fifth album “BR V”. Formed in the ’80s under the name Grace, these seasoned musicians have been in the business for more than 30 years now. Bad Radiator 2020 sound is even smoother than before. There is something special about their mix of rock, pop, melodic rock and AOR crafted with a pristine production. All songs are lifted by Mikael Lundgren’s charming voice – he’s like Mikael Erlandsson but with a classic rock&pop twist. This is mixed by elegant guitar riffs from Klas Bergvall that work fine with rather 90s influenced keyboard touches, and a fine production. If you dig a mixt of STAGE DOLLS, MICHAEL LEARNS TO ROCK and MIKE & THE MECHANICS - get this! |
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JUNKYARD - Old Habits Die Hard
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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American rock band, Junkyard has had its share of lineup changes, but a solid core of David Roach, Patrick Muzingo and Todd Muscat has held the line since 1987. They’d signed to industry giant, Geffen, but got shown the door in 1991, when hard rock descended into a morass of North West Pacific handwringing. Their impressive second album, “Sixes, Sevens And Nines” had bombed. The band recorded several hours of material for the third album and now, 27 years later, this unwieldy stockpile has been pared down to 12 lean and compelling tracks. It’s clear even after only a couple of tracks that “Old Habits…” is a more confident and elaborate piece than the previous two outing, so let's give it a chance.
listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIb4UIBQT4M |
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ARMADA - Frontline (digitally remastered)
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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In 80s traditional heavy metal fashion, Armada impresses with its unabashed guitar prowess, powerful mid-ranged vocals and catchy riff proclivity, but also allows the versatility to emulate some accessible melodic hard rock to AOR qualities. An independent act out of Holt, Michigan, Armada, having recorded three full length custom cassette releases in "All Four One" (1986), "Frontline" (1987) and "Black & White" (1988). "Frontline" was the album that catapulted the band into iconic Christian AOR/Metal status. The album was 2 parts Barren Cross and 1-part Twisted Sister. There have been plenty of bootlegs of this album, but Fontline has been reissued by Retroactive Records for the very first time as a legitimate reissue of strictly 500 copies.
listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw7oaPDjkrU |
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SILOAM - Sweet Destiny (digitally remastered)
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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Canada based Siloam is the brainchild of uber-talented drummer, Brian Lutes. Coming out of a real street-wise background, Lutes became a Christian after nearly dying of a drug overdose but went back to the streets in order to work with kids and relate the Gospel to them in a credible way. Immediately after its line up was put together, Siloam entered the studio and began work on its 1991 debut "Sweet Destiny". The best way to describe Siloam would be a blend of melodic hard rock and melodic rock with commercial metal tendencies. In the end, if you happen to be a fan of Stryper, Holy Soldier, Guardian, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and others in the same genre then Siloam is certain to appeal to you.
listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdPv7WMPnQk |
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MAVERICK - Quid Pro Quo & Talk Is Cheap
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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While working on a new album, Northern Ireland rockers MAVERICK are re-releasing their full-length debut “Quid Pro Quo” via their current recording label. But there’s more, the CD also includes their out of print first EP “Talk’s Cheap”. And as bonus there’s a never before heard version of the band’s old fan favorite “Top Heavy” recorded during the ‘Quid‘ sessions. Formed by young but talented musicians, the Maverick guys are able to compose Melodic Hard Rock staples that elude even the most seasoned veterans. “Quid Pro Quo” is a fantastic proof of that, written, performed and delivered with the power and passion of those classic ’80s albums from bands like Skid Row, XYZ, Motley Crue or Ratt.
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hfSz08i9r4 |
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JESSE DAMON - 02/28
SHAFT OF STEEL - 02/28
MAGNUM - 01/17
REVOLUTION SAINTS - 01/24
DECARLO - 01/24
PASSION - 01/24
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