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AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 02/08/2019

Howdy melodic rockers,

Really crazy times, cause we never had so much new stuff during this time of the year as we do expect for next stuff. The problem is that we'll close as usual for our vacations starting by next Friday, the 9th until the 25th of August.

We should have all expected new titles in stock by Tuesday, the 6th, so if you want to order please do it straight away if we should ship before our vacations.

Some stuff is already in stock (Crystal Ball, Narnia), some others due Monday (Mark Baker, Outlasted) and everything else should hopefully arrive due next Tuesday.

We'll be back in biz by Monday, the 26th of August with our August releases from Jimi Anderson Group and Rockett Love.

Listen to our upcoming September releases from Age Of Reflection and Robert Tepper at www.metalheaven.net !

wishing you a great week

Georg & Monika

PLEASE TAKE NOTE:

We have closed for our vacations from
August, the 9th until August, the 25th !

Orders by using paypal must be paid due Wednesday, the 7th
at the latest if we should ship before our vacations !

AOR HEAVEN RELEASES!

ALIEN - Alien - 25th anniversary (2 CDs)

A: 13,5 €

B: 16 €

Even though the ALIEN debut is 31 years old now it has lost nothing of its magic. In particular the two anthems “Only One Woman” and “Tears Don’t Put Out The Fire” are still a wet dream for any AOR fan. This reissue contains the original Scandinavian version with Jim Jidhed on vocals as well as the later US-version with new singer Pete Sandberg on vocals on some songs. Furthermore the re-release contains the two bonus tracks “Feel My Love” and “Touch My Fire” which make this album even more essential. Go and get your copy asap! Ltd. edition of 1000 copies !

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEqz6afo4x8

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m7uBnBfYdo

EXPECTED NEW RELEASES !!

OUTLASTED - Waiting For Daybreak

A: 12,5 €

B: 15 €

Pure AOR from up Norway! Sophomore album of Scandinavian band with lots of melody and catchy arrangements all over the place. Now the songwriting is spread over most of the band which makes the record stylistically a bit more versatile - within the genre, of course. Fans of ONE DESIRE, CREYE, STATE OF SALAZAR or CARE OF NIGHT can’t do wrong here. Check out the magnificent “She’s The One“.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZlQFyT3wRQ

UNRULY CHILD - Big Blue World

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

AOR / melodic rock with majestic melodies and an exceptional female voice (Marcie Free, SIGNAL, KING KOBRA) and exceptional songwriting. From artwork to songwriting and production to the mix, everything here is extremely well done. Especially the guitar of Bruce Gowdy (STONE FURY) is more present than on the superb last album “Can’t Slow Down“ (2017). Without a doubt, nothing but a very strong contender for the record of 2019.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqpbBvC0iIU

SHY - Brave The Storm +6 (digitally remastered)

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

During the mid-to-late 1980s, Britain’s homegrown melodic hard rock scene was blessed with an embarrassment of riches. Stand up Airrace, Virginia Wolf, Lionheart, Strangeways and…Shy. There was no sign that Shy were in any way inferior to the American AOR groups of the day. Issued in 1985 and produced by Tony Platt (AC/DC, Krokus, Gary Moore), the album is a vessel for some of the best British melodic hard rock of the era. Tracks such as ‘Hold On (To Your Love)’, ‘Keep The Fires Burning’ and the brilliant ballad ‘Reflections’ are fabulous examples of just how superior the band were and how well they compared with all the other musical competition. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBZnu4bpfLw

SHY - Excess All Areas +4 (digitally remastered)

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

"Excess All Areas” was the first album on BMG which had a big production budget and what a difference it makes – with AOR legend NEIL KERNON at the production helm and with songwriting help from MICHAEL BOLTON and DON DOKKEN nothing could fail. Classic AOR cuts like “Emergency”, “Can’t Fight The Night”, “Young Heart” and “Under Fire” or the DOKKENesque “Break Down The Walls” are all prime examples for classic 80s AOR which every serious AOR fan must have ! Originally issued in January 1987, the album boasts several important tracks, and is blessed with superb production touches that made the record, at the time, extremely competitive. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwMcK5JNixk

IF ONLY - No Bed Of Roses +5 (digitally remastered)

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

Without a doubt one of the best melodic rock albums to come out of the UK. They had a star in Tina Egan (R.I.P.) who was a bluesy singer in the style of Ruby Star and Sandi Saraya (though Tina had more grit). In fact Saraya's debut album is a very good comparison to "No Bed Of Roses". Managing to enlist Geoff Downes (Asia) talents at the production helm and a few guest musicians; Toby Sadler (White Spirit, Airrace, Samson) Mike Moran (Queen) they produced a massive album that should have taken them to highest level and beyond. Initially only released in Japan followed by an European release on the defunct Long Island label this is a fully remastered version incl. 5 bonus tracks.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATpyeZypQs8

MARK BAKER - The Future Ain't What It Used To Be

A: 12,5 €

B: 15 €

A collection of unreleased material by songwriter MARK BAKER (e.g. SIGNAL, 38 SPECIAL) with illustrious vocalists such as James Christian (HOUSE OF LORDS), Mark Free (UNRULY CHILD) or Bill Champlin (ex CHICAGO) or Freddy Curci. Eight tracks in total of which the most are very catchy and well-produced. A remarkable find from deep down in the archives finally seeing the light of day. Thumbs up!

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8kNIYncMEE

EUROPE - The Final Countdown +6 (digitally remastered)

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

The enormous success of ‘The Final Countdown’ (1986) single and album, undoubtedly took the world by surprise. Who among us would have imagined that an, up until then, obscure Swedish hard rock band would have the reach and good fortune to elevate their profile to international superstar status so easily. It was a turn of events that reinforces the notion that anything can be possible as long as the stars are in alignment and the songs are undeniable. Produced by Kevin Elson (Journey, Mr Big) and issued in 1986, the album contains a concise and extremely well written selection of tracks, incl. ‘Rock The Night’, ‘Cherokee’, ‘On The Loose’, and the glorious ballad ‘Carrie’. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw

OZZ - No Prisoners (digitally remastered)

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

When it comes to tough no-nonsense hard rock then you’d have to look long and hard to find an album better than ‘No Prisoners’ by Ozz. Stuffed full of top riffs, killer songs and impressive vocals it certainly made its mark on the hard rock cognoscenti despite a lack of sales and relative obscurity. Issued in 1980 on the Epic label and produced by British whiz-kid Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, Free, Hughes Thrall) the album is a blistering collection of red-hot hard rock leaning heavily on the Plant/Page and Tyler/Perry call and response axis. Why the album failed to attract even a modicum of commercial recognition at the time is a major mystery. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA585W-Ym9Y

SPREAD EAGLE - Subway To The Stars

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

According to the label, SPREAD EAGLE play street metal and that’s quite a fitting description. Vocalist Ray West has got lots of dirt in his voice. After having two albums back in the day which basically remained under the radar but made the band touring excessively, the New York-based band is back with a new line-up and a strong record full of rockers, groovers and surprises. Fans of both BEGGARS & THIEVES and L.A. GUNS will love it!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YWYEhwArMc

SOLEIL MOON - Warrior

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

Mixing AOR with melodic progressive rock sounds interesting and well, it is! Apart from the fantasy-like artwork that is all but consistent with the (amazing) music, you get exciting songwriting and performance, although the material can be pop-like at times (e.g. “Just So You Know“) without being too cheesy. At times partly reminiscent of song-orientated SPOCK’S BEARD. Pay attention to SOLEIL MOON! All guitars on “Warrior“ are played by none other than Michael Thompson!

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrPnU5E9hOE

CRYSTAL BALL - 2020 (2 CDs, digi pack)

A: 14,5 €

B: 17,5 €

“2020“ contains 10 newly-recorded versions of songs of the first band decade and 10 newer tracks, all revisited, newly arranged and/or added with additional parts. Tracks like “Hellvetia“ or “My Life“ have never been weak at all but revisiting them made them even stronger. “2020“ is highly suitable for old fans and new ones (of course!) alike. CRYSTAL BALL is definitely an integral part of the leading hard rock scene of Switzerland.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHVutKXmiVA

NARNIA - From Darkness To Light

A: 13,5 €

B: 16 €

NARNIA from Sweden are to a certain degree the leaders of Christian metal these days. Their eighth studio album “From Darkness To Light“ combines all the qualities which are strong hooklines, versatile arrangements and meaningful lyrics which are not meant to evangelise. NARNIA musically perfectly satisfy the fans of HELLOWEEN, POWER QUEST or STRATOVARIUS.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-SWNWLMfZQ

ARDOURS - Last Place On Earth

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

ARDOURS is the baby of Mariangela Demurtas (v, TRISTANIA) together with multi-instrumentalist and producer Kris Laurent. What you get is a combination of rock, metal and gothic sounds. “Last Place On Earth“ is bombastic sound at its best only slightly more modern than usual on the Frontiers Records but definitely not bad. Great stuff for people digging WITHIN TEMPTATION, LACUNA COIL and TRISTANIA, of course.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MavXwbe0_Js

ROXY BLUE - Roxy Blue

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

ROXY BLUE are back with their first original material since the time of the debut “Want Some?“ (1992). Hard rock with a great portion of dirt and slices of alternative rock if not grunge but not too much. Even an amazing ballad by the name of “Collide“ is around as well as some solid and down-to-earth rockers (e.g. “Rockstar Junkie“). Frontman Todd Poole does a good job for the most part with his charismatic voice.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW77wgEJSJs

NEW RELEASES IN STOCK !

DOUG BRONS - Timepiece

A: 12,5 €

B: 15 €

Inspired by the age of classic AOR / West coast such as early Toto, Chicago, Michael McDonald, etc, “Timepiece” is DOUG BRONS‘ new album featuring phenomenal musicianship from Grammy award winning artists, great songwriting, and fantastic production – You will be keeping this one on your top shelf. Inspired by such timeless artists as Michael McDonald, David Pack, Toto, Michael Sembello & others, the CD delivers with a soulful, classic westcoast vibe, but also with a modern sensibility and direction. This release is definitely worth your attention and is a slam dunk for anybody who enjoyed first half of the ’80s smooth AOR and the artists mentioned above.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1LM5VHTSdk

BEYOND IMAGINATION - Beyond Imagination

A: 13 €

B: 15,5 €

If you have legendary Jay Graydon as guest player in your album then there’s two certain things: first, your songwriting / musicianship is very good, and second, you play AOR / West Coast music. This is the case with this Swedish combo BEYOND IMAGINATION and their full length, self-titled debut album, inspired by the late 70s FM rock and the first half of the ’80s commercial, smooth AOR. Many years in the making, “Beyond Imagination” is immaculately arranged and produced to detail. This is ‘elegant’ AOR on the Scandinavian ‘West Coast’ vein, clearly inspired by the US golden years of the genre, but with that unique Swedish touch for the genre. You better hurry up with your order, cause the band only pressed 300 units of this gem!

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiwdLHIQnvM

FAIR WARNING - Fair Warning (digitally remastered)

A: 11 €

B: 13 €

In the last couple of years FAIR WARNING's debut album has become a little rarity. Fortunately the album get re-released now. No doubt, it's one the best Melodic Rock albums that ever came from Germany. No wonder that it was originally released via a major label in 1992 and was produ-ced by Rafe McKenna (GIANT, BAD COMPANY). Compared with the later album, the debut doesn't feature that much bombast and pomp. The guitars and Tommy Heart's powerful voice rule songs like “When Love Fails”, “Hang On” and “The Eyes Of Rock”. The rest of the album is Melodic Rock on its highest level. This “Fair Warning” remastered reissue sound quality is amazing, and the album, A MUST HAVE.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TLcQ28cK24

LICENCE - N.2.O.2.R.

A: 12,5 €

B: 15 €

“N.2.O.2.R.“ is top class heavy rock. Female vocalist Jacky Coke and the guys are able to even top the 2017 debut “Licence 2 Rock“. They rock, deliver riffs and groove in finest eighties fashion through out the thirteen songs sounding like ACCEPT and the likes. Check out the mighty “Hot4Ever“. Mix and mastering by none other but Achim Köhler (e.g. PRIMAL FEAR). What a remarkable voice, Jacky!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPiOguTsaCk

PHIL LANZON - 48 Seconds

A: 12,5 €

B: 15 €

Uriah Heep keyboardist Phil Lanzon (Grand Prix, John Lawton, Sweet) has announced the release of his new solo album, "48 Seconds". As with his first album Phil has teamed up with producer Simon Hanhart (Marillion, Waysted) and arranger Richard Cottle. With his love of film score he has created a sometimes cinematic backdrop to his songs enabling drama and emotion to fly hand in hand. With a journey from orchestral instrumental to hard rock, from ballad to the epic title track 48 seconds which commemorates the 1906 earthquake of San Francisco, the listener is in for a treat. The album features a long list of great guest musicians incl. the mighty John Mitchell (Arena, Kino, It Bites) amongst others.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfFQQWi7LbQ&t=20s

AOR HEAVEN SUMMER SALE !!

Our discount offer during the months July / August
- as usual strictly based on a first come, first serve basis !