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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 27/03/2020 |
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Howdy melodic rockers,
Our service is still up and running
and there will be even some really nice titles due next
week from BONFIRE and DYNAZTY (both ready to ship by
March, the 1st) and Michael Flexig (already in stock).
I have managed to get hold of both
Toque albums as well. Their 2nd album "Never Enough" was
already on sale last year and the plan was to stock
their first album "Give'r" by early this year, but their
manager had serious health issues and couldn't deliver
the goods.
Small problem is that the shipment
got stucked by the customs, so I really hope this
problem can be solved due soon.
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!!
MICHAEL FLEXIG - The Voice Of Zeno :
Keeper Of The Flame
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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With this output, MICHAEL FLEXIG continues the legacy of Zeno Roth (g), which
was published in Japan already a few month ago, with a slightly different
tracklist. The original versions here are taken into the here and now soundwise,
too. Three songs are only available on this (European) version. There is a lot
of passion in this hard rock offering a unique voice and stellar songwriting.
Some songs are unreleased and to cut it short: Goosebumps! Grab it!
MARTIN STARK
listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogV8PGiUwYI |
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TOQUE - Give'r (digi pack)
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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With the recent TOQUE album "Never Enough" offered here as well , let’s check
out their very cool previous album “Give’r” including some terrific cover
versions of Canadian greats such as LOVERBOY, ALDO NOVA, SAGA, STREETHEART,
APRIL WINE, HONEYMOON SUITE, TROOPER and more. Enlisted in the ranks of Toque
are Todd Kerns & Brent Fitz – both of whom play in Slash featuring Myles Kennedy
And The Conspirators and previously played in Streetheart, Harlequin, etc –
along with Cory Churko (Shania Twain) and Shane Gaalaas (Michael Schenker,
Yngwie). Songs by the Canuck biggies like Loverboy’s classic “Working for the
Weekend” (greatly done), Aldo Nova’s “Fantasy”, Triumph’s “Roller”, are
stupendous.
listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd5xjRn0kE4 |
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TOQUE - Never Enough (digi pack)
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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TOQUE (pronounced ‘Took’) is a renowned Canadian hard rock band known for their
’80s songs cover shows. Enlisted in the ranks of Toque are Todd Kerns & Brent
Fitz – both of whom play in Slash Conspirators – along with Cory Churko (Shania
Twain) and Shane Gaalaas (Michael Schenker, Yngwie). "Never Enough" contains the
first including original material (the title track) plus delicious own versions
of Canadian melodic rock classics from the likes of Harlequin, Red Rider,
Headpins, Prism, Rush, Toronto, Streetheart, Bryan Adams or Nick Gilder. You
can’t go wrong with TOQUE’s song selection and performances, all seasoned
musicians and all recorded, mixed & produced with that classy ‘Canadian touch’.
You’ll love this.
watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28ZAlojM5Vs |
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BONFIRE - Fistful Of Fire (ltd. edition
digi pack)
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A: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
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A really hot piece of music of German hard rock band BONFIRE. Absolutely no
fillers in here. in case you didn’t know (by now) that Alexx Stahl (v) is one of
the best of the genre, well, here you go. There are more keyboards but the
five-piece still rocks like there is no tomorrow. “Ride The Blade“ or
“Rock’n’Roll Survivors“, for instance, will be constant elements of future
setlists. The ballad “When An Old Man Cries“ is a true gem, too.
MARTIN STARK
watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCPAMvL2KPo |
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DYNAZTY - The Dark Delight +1 (ltd.
edition digi pack)
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A: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
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Melodic hard rock from Sweden that grabs you by the balls. “The Dark Delight“,
the seventh album of the band, ist the best so far and lifts the Swedes on a new
level. Slightly more contemporary sounding than the last two or three efforts
and with “Paradise Of The Architect“ they got a real killer anthem on board.
Lots of keyboards, powerful riffs and vocals that bridge the gap to modern metal
at times (“From Sound To Silence“) and then almost sound reminiscent of typical
AOR (“Hologram“).
MARTIN STARK
watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mcTd8YPQ18 |
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NEW RELEASES IN STOCK !!
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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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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