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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 23/10/2020
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Howdy melodic rockers,
Just a small bunch of expected new titles due next week and what really annoys so many fans is that the new album from the Swedish band NIGHT entitled "High Tides - Distant Skies" is even 4 weeks after the initial release date still not available on CD and really no one knows when or if it will be available.
It seems that also the band is pretty much pissed about their label, cause this is simply career killing by knowing that you have a great new album with plenty of great reviews and no one can buy it !
Rumours suggests that even third world labels would be quicker to make such a product available to their fans !
Have a great week
Georg & Monika
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AOR HEAVEN RELEASES:
IMPERIUM - Heaven Or Hell
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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IMPERIUM from Finnland is the project of drummer and songwriter Mika Brushane (STRIKE). Numerous exceptional vocalists like Robbie LaBlanc (FIND ME, EAST TEMPLE AVENUE, FURY) or Robert Ernlund (TREAT) or six-stringers like Stefano Lionetti (LIONETTI) are on board and add their individual magic to the material. Nothing left stylistically from the power metal-infused debut. “Heaven Or Hell“ is nothing but pure AOR / melodic rock. Melodic anthems, emotional sections and tons of keyboards - you just can’t ask for more. Just check out the brilliant “Love Won’t Let You Go“ or the extremely catchy “Road To Paradise“.
MARTIN STARK
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Watch: https://youtu.be/Hv8ZeQTq2PU
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ROB MORATTI - Paragon
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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Canadian singer ROB MORATTI (ex SAGA) is pretty busy. His incredible voice shines on the new album just like it did on the last one called “Renaissance“ (2019). “Paragon“ - believe it or not - is even more melodic and nothing but a fascinating piece of melodic rock. He is once again backed by illustrious international musicians, like Joel Hoekstra, (g, NIGHT RANGER), Tony Franklin (b), BLUE MURDER), Torben Enevoldsen (g, SECTION A, FATE) or even Ian Crichton (g, Saga). Furthermore, a pristine but powerful production highlights melodic gems like “I’m Falling“, “Rise Above“ or “Where Do We Go From Here“. His obvious passion for JOURNEY can be found in many places here. What a great album! Wow!
MARTIN STARK
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Watch: https://youtu.be/VGuL9Q7wBIo
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WILDNESS - Ultimate Demise
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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What a great month! WILDNESS from Sweden put out a magnificent second album, the first with new voice Erik Forsberg (ex BLAZON STONE). Powerful AOR with superb songwriting and versatile arrangements. No matter if faster and slightly harder tracks like ´“Cold Words“ or “My Hideaway“, a ballad like “Falling Into Pieces“ or even the epic title song, WILDNESS definitely know how to do it. Comes with a strong production and the absolute will to make it. „Ultimate Demise“ will lift the band onto the level of contenders like H.E.A.T., ECLIPSE or CRAZY LIXX for sure.
MARTIN STARK
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Watch: https://youtu.be/L0645h7OZS4
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EXPECTED NEW RELEASES !!
BOYS FROM HEAVEN - The Great Discovery
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A: 13,5 € |
B: 16 € |
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Formed back in 2015, Copenhagen-based Boys From Heaven are a seven-piece group captivated by the sound of the late 70s and early 80s that aims to recapture, in their own words, 'the spirit of the great 80s, captured in the modern studio'. How am I supposed to describe it? It's Westcoast, it's AOR, it has its Jazzy moments and clearly, it is ROCK with capital letters fused with Soul-like moments. It fits Toto supporters's tastes like a glove. However, Boys From Heaven reminded me of obscure greats Airborne amongst others, and their music seemed to me like created between 1979 and 1981, while recorded with a state-of-the-art, yet warm sound production, courtesy of the band themselves. Unique and original, buy it pronto !
watch: https://youtu.be/-pqkGX0mNZE
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PATTY SMYTH - It's About Time
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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After almost 30 years, former SCANDAL vocalist PATTY SMYTH returns with a new album properly titled ”It’s About Time”. Patty couldn’t have come up with a more appropriate title for the new record, her first set of original songs in 28 years. But there’s a reason; the long hiatus between albums wasn’t due to a lack of trying, she has been busy raising six children, performing with SCANDAL following their reunion in the mid 2000s, acting and providing the Netflix series Glow with its theme. Produced by mega-talented Dann Huff (Giant), ”It’s About Time” shows that Patty Smyth has’t lost any color of her unique voice, and the material is really strong resembling the vocalist’s 80s style.
watch:https://youtu.be/iGAFSW2wZSA
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ADAM'S CURSE - What The Ancients Knew About Us
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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“What The Ancients Knew About Us“ is the debut of former GLYDER-guitarist Bat Kinane’s band and a great surprise, too. Dry rockers, dreamy blues songs and almost poppy tunes at times as well as a powerful production which sounds pretty organic and analogue, that’s what you get here. Just check out “A Vibe For Philo“ or “Tattoos & Loneliness“. Certainly no music to party to but honest, grown-up and timeless music between hard rock, blues, singer/songwriter and many other facettes.
MARTIN STARK
watch:https://youtu.be/PbqH_SzZ_MQ
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HERICAN ALICE - Tear The House Down (digitally remastered)
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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Judged by objective standards, HERICANE ALICE's “Tear The House Down” was nothing special. Anyhow, for me it has a certain something that makes it one of my favourite US-Hard Rock albums of the early 1990's. The band, featuring later BANGALORE CHOIR and BAD MOON RISING members Ian Mayo and Jackie Ramos, delivered a rough and melodic Hard Rock sound in the vein of McQUEEN STREET, SLAUGHTER and ROXY BLUE. Songs like the anthemic “Wild, Young And Crazy” and “Tear The House Down” rock heavy and get their kicks by Bruce Naumann's powerful vocals. Long story short: it's just a pity that the band never recorded an official follow-up. Bad Reputation records re-issue.
watch:https://youtu.be/XZupXHtopK0
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SATERIA - Cold Beer...& A Hat Full Of Fun (digitally remastered)
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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Denmark’s SATERIA, put together by vocalist Martie Peters (Push, MPG) and guitarist René Shades (now Pretty Maids bass-player) in 1987,quickly conquered the Danish Hard-Rock scene, headlining many clubs in Copenhagen. Sateria were heavily influenced by hair metal acts like Poison, Mötley Crue and White Lion. Tentatively signing to Polygram, they cut an album that would never see the light of day, as the record-deal fell through. Unreleased to this day, “Cold Beer & A Hat Full Of Fun” is a treasure trove of Sleazy-Glam Metal that will evoke memories of that decade’s greatest acts. Part two of the "Lost Melodic Jewels" series, digitally remastered, 3 live bonus tracks, liner notes and strictly limited to 500 copies.
listen: https://youtu.be/NF5Q371atqU
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VANDAMNE - The First Crimes
(digitally remastered)
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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Born on the ashes of the UK Metal band DEALER, VANDAMNE was put together in 1987 to play a more melodic and “classy” style, in the vein of bands like Dokken, Ratt and Motley Crue. the band played up and down the UK for 2-3 years, chasing that ever-elusive deal. Unfortunately, after some changes in the line-up, the band called it a day around 1992. Two years later the band was asked to record an album for the Japanese market and they did it. "Nightcrimes" was released in 1994, but the magic was already gone. "The First Crimes" contains their early recordings, which were much more melodic and of a much higher standard. "The Lost UK Jewels" series part 21, digitally remastered and strictly limited to 500 copies.
listen: https://youtu.be/wXZl3sS_VZ4
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FIERCE HEART - War For The World
(digi pack)
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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Iconic shredmaster Rex Carroll whets the appetite for his singular skills with the scorching opening instrumental off "War For The World", the new album from his pre-Whitecross recording band, Fierce Heart. The remainder of the album is as solid and reliable as the rhythm section, steady 4/4 beats, great vocals, incendiary guitar. The power ballad “Lost In Love” provides a soothing midpoint for the album; while none of the second half of the album’s songs match the heat of “Built For Speed” or “Out For Blood”, they kick along with aural energy. Despite the thirty-five year gap between albums, Fierce Heart prove they are imminently dependable and on top of their game. Classy hard rock next to Buckcherry / old Gotthard.
watch: https://youtu.be/AFr0GWyyAB8
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SHADOW & THRILL - Sugarbowl (digi pack)
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A: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
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Shadow & The Thrill is the product of the talents of vocalist / guitarist Tony Cardenas-Montana, best known for his extensive tenure in Great White and it’s subsequent variation, Jack Russell’s Great White, and drummer / keyboardist Brentt Arcement. What we have here is a terrific collection of songs with a bluesy, rocking foundation in the style of Badlands, Night Ranger-Gary Moon era, Gary Moore, Tesla, and of course Great White. The production is fantastic, crisp, and all these songs timeless and melodic. Shadow & The Thrill are the real deal, authentic, timeless bluesy based with a melodic, slight hard rock edge from the soul. Both musicians deliver terrific performances and the production is top notch.
watch: https://youtu.be/me4W5mqjHew
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SIGNAL RED - Alien Nation
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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“Alien Nation“ from SIGNAL RED is fine melodic rock with little progressive elements. Lee Small (v, SHY, PHENOMENA, LIONHEART) and Steve Grocott (g, TEN) offer a rocking and versatile album which will certainly not only please fans of the aforementioned bands. Also features Steve Newman (b/backing v, NEWMAN). The follow-up to the good debut “Under The Radar“ (2018) takes the band to a new level, though.
MARTIN STARK
listen: https://youtu.be/6bSmoWDyZ-o
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ALIEN - 11/27
EAST TEMPLE AVENUE - 11/27
JEFF SCOTT SOTO - 11/06
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