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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 14/06/2019
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Howdy melodic rockers,
Still many great new titles rolling in before the holiday season. Highlights incl. the Euro version of BJATO incl. 2 bonus tracks, a superb slice of west coast meets AOR. With the final album from Tony Mills and the return of Tower City under their new moniker of COLORVINE there are two more winners in the pipeline.
There is another bank holiday over here next week on Thursday, so I hope to get BJATO and TONY MILLS at least due Friday next week - fingers crossed !
Tickets for H.e.a.t. festival 2019 (due November the 30th/December the 1st) are available from our website. Artist confirmed so far incl. STAGE DOLLS, CATS IN SPACE, ROBERT TEPPER, STAN BUSH, TREAT, CRASHDIET, MAVERICK, AGE OF REFLECTION, BLOOD RED SAINTS, VEGA, BLACK DIAMONDS, DEGREED, DEVICIOUS and there is much more to come .
wishing you a great week
Georg & Monika
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NITRATE - Open Wide
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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Night Time City (Edit)
Only A Heartache Away (Edit)
You Want It You Got It (Edit)
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Melodic rock from England with fine melodies and versatile arrangements. Bass and keyboard player Nick Hogg puts out the second NITRATE album with a slightly different line-up. Most remarkable, of course, is the new vocalist Philip Lindstrand (EAST TEMPLE AVENUE, FIND ME) who replaces Josh Mennen (ZINATRA). Marcus Thurston (v, VEGA) is an addition, too. Eleven tracks, at times pretty rough but also sweet like honey, which hint at Hoggs favorites by the name of BON JOVI, MÖTLEY CRÜE or EUROPE, can be found. Mastering by Harry Hess (HAREM SCAREM). Check out the melodic monsters “Only A Heartache Away“ and “Never Surrender“. Most of the material is perfect for lovers of MIDNITE CITY, too, as Rob Wylde (g) did most of the songwriting.
MARTIN STARK
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ROB MORATTI - Renaissance
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A: 11 € |
B: 13 € |
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Let Me Be The One (Edit)
Lift You Up (Edit)
You Are The One (Edit)
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Ex-SAGA frontman ROB MORATTI (FINAL FRONTIER) follows exactly his passion which is classic keyboard-dominated AOR and makes no compromises whatsoever. “Renaissance“ showcases the singer with his incredible range better than ever and adds another milestone to the fine collection of Canadian melodic rock music. Top class musicians like e.g. Tony Franklin (b, BLUE MURDER) are involved here. Already the mighty opener “You Are The One“ perfectly points out the direction which will absolutely please the fanbase and beyond. “Best Of Me“, emotional and at times reminiscent of JOURNEY is another one of many highlights on this record. A crystal-clear production, that is still powerful, completes the picture. Thumbs up, Mr. Moratti!
MARTIN STARK
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watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ2NFNdlQvY&feature=youtu.be
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EXPECTED NEW RELEASES !!
BJATO - At Last +2
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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"At Last" is the fascinating debut album by Backman Johanson And The Others (BJATO), a Swedish project inspired by classic AOR sounds. Created by experienced musicians Mats Johanson (Swedish Funk Connection) and Kaj Backman, the record features class musicians and vocalists such as Göran Edman, Johan Boding (Sonic Station), Frank Ådahl, Tomi Malm and many more. The motto here is 'melodic rock Westcoast'. Think Champlin - Williams - Friestedt, Street Talk, some TOTO, Talk Of The Town, Radioactive, etc. This is top notch material, mixing classic AOR with that unique Swedish touch and some Westcoast, but of the uptempo kind. Released last year in Japan this Euro version contains 2 additional bonus tracks.
listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQQS4u9gM8E
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TONY MILLS - Beyond The Law (digi pack)
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A: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
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The fact is that this is most likely the last album from TONY MILLS, well-known singer in bands like TNT, SHY, SIAM, STATE OF ROCK and more. He is diagnozed with cancer and it is looking really bad.! Stylewise a mix right between AOR and melodic hard rock, it is delivered in a fine production that actually brings a smoothness to the sound in the major part of the album. The players backing Tony up are TOMMY DENANDER (guitars, keyboards), Tony's wife LINDA MILLS (bass) and PETE NEWDECK (drums). Sometimes I actually think of STREETS (with Mike Slamer and Steve Walsh) when I listen to this CD. And of course, the SHY vibes are not far away. Kudos to Tony Mills for delivering such a great album as his final work.
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bREIW4AHOJw
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COLORVINE - Wake Up
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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American melodic rock band COLORVINE (formerly TOWER CITY) is back on track with their new album “Wake Up”. Under the Tower City moniker the group put out a couple of celebrated albums in the genre during the ’90s, then changed their name to COLORVINE due to some industry label issues. As always fronted by brothers Larry and Heath Saltis, these talented musicians are back with a bunch of timeless melodic, energetic melodic songs. Musically, think like a cross between HONEYMOON SUITE, ’80s RICK SPRINGFIELD, LOVERBOY, 7th HEAVEN, some BOULEVARD… you get the picture. Colorvine proves they can still excite listeners with their own brand of Melodic Rock that mixes past and present.
listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wan-bAeLFkg
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AMERICAN TEARS - White Flags
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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AMERICAN TEARS is yet another band or (today rather) project of Mark Mangold (keys, DRIVE, SHE SAID, TOUCH), who these days plays everything on his own on this record, their fifth. It’s quite an unusual approach that included three keyboards only on their first album in the mid-seventies. Exotic for sure but with some very strong songs and a pretty vintage sound as Mangold only uses keyboards available back in the day.
MARTIN STARK
listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR0lVvOJ_1k
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WHEELS OF FIRE - Begin Again
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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With two strong records on their sleeves ("Hollywood Rocks" and "Up For Anything"), Wheels Of Fire strikes back with their best album to date. “Begin Again” introduces the band’s new keyboard player, Federico De Biase, and represents a big step forward in the quality of the songwriting provided by the original combo, Davide “Dave Rox” Barbieri (Vocals) and Stefano Zeni (Guitar). WHEELS OF FIRE is pure Melodic Rock / AOR Eighties inspired, no gimmicks, not reinventing the wheel: just bringing back the golden ’80s again in its purest form. There’s very, very strong songs in this genre’s mould, the vocals soar, and the guitar work is pretty amazing. Highly recommended for melodic rock lovers !
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwqkM3rzOxg
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NEW RELEASES IN STOCK !
CHAOS MAGIC - Furyborn
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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Chilean vocalist Catarina Nix has got a very remarkable voice. The melody and symphonic metal that CHAOS MAGIC play on their sophomore album, too, is full of power, melody and drama. Duets with e.g. Tom Englund (EVERGREY) or Ronnie Romero (ex LORDS OF THE BLACK) add a nice flavor to the record. “Furyborn“ is mixed by Jacob Hansen (i.e. VOLBEAT). A great surprise, this record. Check out “Throw Me To The Wolves“ for first impression.
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uV9Mxgn5J8
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SWEET OBLIVION - Sweet Oblivion
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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SWEET OBLIVION is a collaboration of Italian Simone Mularoni (g), mastermind of DGM, and former and iconic QUEENSRYCHE frontman Geoff Tate. The result is somewhere between legendary QUEENSRYCHE albums “Rage For Order“ (1986) and “Empire“ (1990) which could easily bring tears of joy to fans of the legendary band mentioned. A powerful production and probably the best vocal performance of the American in twenty years completes the picture.
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYsLG2VtTN0
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TIMO TOLKI'S AVALON - Return To Eden
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A: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
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The third album of this metal project goes more into the direction of classic STRATOVARIUS than the previous efforts. TIMO TOLKI, having been the creative genius and driving force behind the legendary Finnish outfit teams up with Italian Aldo Lonobile (g, SECRET SPHERE) and a bunch of well-known guest singers like for instance Zachary Stevens (SAVATAGE, CIRCLE II CIRCLE) or Anneke von Giersbergen (ex THE GATHERING) to create yet another fine neoclassical metal record from up north.
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45jaAbaFn2A
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NEAL MORSE - Jesus Christ The Exorcist (2 CDs)
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A: 15,5 € |
B: 18,5 € |
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“Jesus Christ The Exorcist“ is an ambitious and fascinating double album of American progressive rock genius NEAL MORSE (v/g/keys, ex SPOCK’S BEARD, TRANSATLANTIC, FLYING COLORS) which retells the most famous story in the world musically. Wonderful melodic parts meet dramatic sounds and lyrics as well as a great portion of rock. Mr. MORSE once again delivers here and manages to offer another masterpiece.
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTHSLOqzmLg
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BONFIRE - Live On Holy Ground - Wacken 2018
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A: 12,5 € |
B: 15 € |
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“Live On Holy Ground - Wacken 2018“ is a live album which was recorded at Wacken Open Air 2018 and showcases what the Southern German band can do best, and that is playing live. There’s a great setlist consisting of several classics like “American Nights“ or “Sweet Obsession“, of course, as well as four exclusive bonus tracks to this CD like “Locomotive Breath“ (Radio Edit). Be quick: The complete first pressing comes fully signed by the band!
MARTIN STARK
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvI_8crBLN0
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KINGDOM COME - Classic Album Collection (3 CD box set)
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A: 15,5 € |
B: 18,5 € |
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Get It On: 1988-1991 – Classic Album Collection, is a remastered three CD box set of Kingdom Come’s first three, and most celebrated albums – "Kingdom Come", "In Your Face" and "Hands Of Time". Originally released on PolyGram between 1988 and 1991, this exclusive set is fully remastered and contains bonus material. The new box also contains a booklet of extended new sleeve notes from the renowned and celebrated rock journalist Malcolm Dome. Kingdom Come were an American/German heavy metal/hard rock band that originally formed in 1987. Fronted by singer Lenny Wolf who was their singer and principle songwriter until their hiatus in 2016.
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNSmYWfIKuA
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COLD CHISEL - East
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A: 5,5 € |
B: 6,5 € |
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The release of East (1980), their third album, is when Cold Chisel moved from being Australia's best pub band and became a legend. The largely autobiographical or topical nature of many of the songs, especially "Standing on the Outside", "Star Hotel", "Rising Sun", and the sheer depth and variety of material on this album placed Chisel in the top rank in Australia. "East" is a masterpiece, although the other albums aren't far behind and there are plenty more hits than you will find on this CD. Not the least of these of course is the Walker composition Khe Sahn which is laying claims to being our new virtual national anthem.
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFKxbr4_-Vc
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FIRMO - Rehab
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A: 6 € |
B: 7,5 € |
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Italian singer and songwriter Gianluca Firmo was the driving force behind the project ROOM EXPERIENCE (2015), which featured Pink Cream 69 singer David Readman on vocals. Firmo wrote the entire album, which was well received from the press and the fans. Three years later Gianluca Firmo is ready to deliver his first solo album by using his own name and handling for the very first time all lead vocals on his own. With the help of his fellow countrymen Davide Barbieri, Mario Percudani and the mighty Paul Laine (DANGER DANGER) on backing vocals you can be sure to get a great slice of classic melodic rock stuff. The vocals of Gianluca Firmo are solid, but he's a better songwriter as a singer !
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpTFtvyE4k0
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PLEASURE MAKER - Dancin' With Danger +1
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A: 7,5 € |
B: 9,5 € |
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PLEASURE MAKER is a Brazilian hair metal outfit which has released their debut "Love On The Rocks" in 2004 and the follow up "Twisted Desire" in 2008. After a seven-year break, the band reunited in 2017 to record this third album, “Dancing With Danger”. That means that you get another dose of 80s inspired melodic rock with the occasional touches of glam. Main musical references are Dokken and Ratt as the guitar playing of guiatrist Alex Meister combines elements of both Warren DiMartini and George Lynch. Listeners who are not yet familiar with the band might have a difficult time with singer Claudio's high pitched, banshee like voice but personally it didn't stop me from having a good time with this disc.
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU_rh0NB0Ps
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STRANDED - 07/19
SABATON - 07/19
BILLY SHERWOOD - 07/12
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