|
AOR HEAVEN ::: N E W S L E T T E R ::: 11/02/2022 |
|
|
|
Howdy melodic rockers,
The next bunch of new Frontiers
titles (Ten, Mecca, Manic Sinners, Zadra) has already
arrived and is available online for shipping right now.
The next titles from the “Lost U.K. /
U.S. jewels” series are City Fixx and Runner and we hope
to get them in stock towards the end of next week. We’ll
also get a few more copies of Monro and this will be the
last available copies for sure.
Some of you might also have a look on
the Rick Cua re-issues – well, I have to say that the
label in charge (Girder Music) were a bit too
enthusiastic when they announced the release, cause
right now it seems that they’re struggeling with delays
at the pressing plant (Covid is all around !!) and this
means that it will take some more time (possibly early
March) until the product will be available.
And that’s my friends is one of the
reasons why we don’t do pre-orders, cause I don’t find
this fair against my customers to cash their money in
advance and let them wait for ages !
wishing you a great week
Georg & Monika
|
AOR HEAVEN SPECIAL RELEASE:
HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN' - Sudden Impact +9 (2 CDs)
|
A: 13,5 € |
B: 16 € |
|
|
|
.jpg)
|
|
"Sudden Impact" is the debut album by Philadelphia quintet HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN'. The band and the album holds the title as being the most sought after indie CD at eBay with a copy scoring $1950.52 and the status of the „Holy Grail“ of all indie AOR- and melodic rock releases.
HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN' made an arrangement with a small Canadian recording label, and "Sudden Impact" was released in 1989 in very limited quantities. The album is really professionally recorded and mixed, above the average for an indie. Musically, the band play clean, polished melodic rock / lite AOR here, with the typical sound of the era.
'Magic' has some Loverboy on it, and Blair Ramsey's vocal color reminds me of Kevin Cronin, so the REO Speedwagon comparison is accurate. There's a strong guitar work as on all songs on the CD, including quite imaginative and effective solos. 'Moment To Moment' recalls Starship, 'Slow Motion' some Scandal, and 'Don't You Look Back' has a that pristine Canadian sound from the era. 'Oh No!' is driven by stinging rhythm guitars and has fine harmony vocal arrangements, while the AOR synths of 'An Original' - brings to mind Honeymoon Suite.
Digitally remastered by the band and with the addition of 9 bonus tracks as a 2 CD set incl. liner notes by Dave Reynolds this gem is finally available again as a strictly limited run of 500 copies – make sure to get your copy pronto !! |
|
watch:https://youtu.be/_2nMev7rHCA |
|
.jpg)
|
|
EXPECTED NEW RELEASES !!
CITY FIXX - Fire Your Guns (digitally remastered)
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
CITY FIXX was a bunch of rock and
roll ragamuffins, coming from Rockville, Maryland, armed with some of the best
Glam/Sleaze anthems you’ve never heard and they had Kim Fowley (Runaways) in
their corner. Sounding like a delicious blend of Faster Pussycat, Guns ‘N’ Roses
with a hint of Poison, the likes of ‘Shatterbone City’, ‘Blood’ and ‘Last
Romance’ are irrefutable proof of this band’s prowess. This CD contains all the
professional recordings of the band in the ‘88 – ’91 era (17 tracks + 3 acoustic
bonus tracks!), fully remastered from the original masters and enriched by the
usual de-luxe 16-pages booklet full of unseen pics, flyers and memorabilia. Vol.
12 of the "Lost US.jewels series", strictly limited edition of 500 copies.
Watch:https://youtu.be/IQp-cgRHMfg |
|
RUNNER - Falling Hearts
(digitally remastered)
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
Chicago based metal outfit RUNNER recorded their debut album in 1987,
but a
fateful crash involving their original lead singer saw him getting jailed and
the band re-recording all his vocals with a new singer. Their label Rock Hard
Records signed guitarist Sean Colligan new band Barracuda and shelved the
Runner album. As the Barracuda debut "Open Fire" (1989) did well the label
decided to recoup their investment and released the Runner album as a limited
edition of 300 copies on CD and vinyl. This much sought after gem is now finally
available again - classy melodic US metal in the vein of Malice, Icon
Leatherwolf or Queensryche. Vol. 13 of the "Lost US jewels series", digitally
remastered and strictly limited to 500 copies.
Listen:https://youtu.be/hPPG-kXEIqU |
|
MCQUEEN STREET - McQueen Street +2 (digitally remastered)
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
Between 1990-1992 a bunch of quality
melodic hard acts released their first album in America with that big production
sound – McQUEEN STREET were one of them (production got handled by Tom Werman),
with names like Steve Stevens and Jeff Scott Soto involved. Released in 1991,
McQueen Street's debut is an awesome disc full of in-your-face, straight-up
polished melodic hard rock in the same vein as Skid Row, Baton Rouge and cohorts.
Like so many other releases from that period to band got dropped straight after
the release of their cracking debut album - what a pity! Digitally remastered
re-issue from Bad Reputation records incl. 2 bonus tracks.
Watch:https://youtu.be/ZuX8I_5egCA |
|
EPIC - Starlight
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
More than five years after
the great “Like A Phoenix“ (2016) there’s finally new material from EPIC. Lovers
of HEART, SARAYA or DANTE FOX definitely cry tears of joy when listening to
amazing songs like “Can’t Get Over You“, “Crazy“ or “My Way Or The Highway“.
Female singer Tanya Rizkali offers that emotional and powerful voice which will
give you goosebumps allover. New in EPIC is Chris Childs (THUNDER, TYKETTO) on
bass which is a match made in heaven.
MARTIN STARK |
|
TEN
- Here Be Monsters
|
B: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
|
|
|
|
British outfit TEN offers a
pretty unique sound ever since they started in 1996 with their debut “X“. The
sophisticated guitars and of course the remarkable voice of Gary Hughes are a
match made in heaven. The fourteenth album by now once again showcases the
mixture of rockers, mid tempo tracks and emotional ballads. Mix und master by
Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69, MAGNUM).
MARTIN STARK
Watch:https://youtu.be/0X7xOqLKUbc |
|
CRYLORD - Human Heredity
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
CRYLORD, or rather Boguslaw
Balcerak’s CRYLORD, is a Polish neo-classical metal band. Their third album
“Human Heredity“ features a lot of guest singers of high calibre. Take voices
like Göran Edman (ex YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), Rick Altzi (MASTERPLAN) oder Tim „Ripper“
Owens (ex JUDAS PRIEST) for example. Fans of the aforementioned bands can’t go
wrong here although the one and only song is probably missing on this album.
MARTIN STARK
Watch:https://youtu.be/vhB9cCFhTaA |
|
RE-MACHINED - Brain Dead
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
German heavy metal outfit
RE-MACHINED riff themselves through the material as there is no tomorrow. U.D.O.,
SINNER and also TRANCE (from Germany) might have been the blueprint here
sonically and that’s absolutely fine. Really cool music, even though at times it
might be “borrowed“ from ACCEPT, they kick ass. But silly artwork, though.
“Brain Dead“ once again proves that Germany is not the worst place for metal
outfits. Metalheads will feel comfortable and at home here.
MARTIN STARK
Listen:https://youtu.be/q7Vxe_9rN88 |
|
GUILD OF OTHERS - Guild Of Others
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
GUILD OF OTHERS from the US
play progressive metal and they do it with style. The two masterminds Steve
Potts (g) and Tom Wallace (d) as well as Mark Hammond (v) gather renowned guests
like e.g. Derek Sherinian (keys, ex-DREAM THEATER), Tony Franklin (b, BLUE
MURDER) or on one song even Michael Sadler (v, SAGA) to create a record with
many interesting moments. Guesting on guitar is Craig Goldy (DIO). This seems to
be an ongoing project with many more guests to come to be added to the core
band..
MARTIN STARK
Listen:https://youtu.be/vrq8GyaFS-s |
|
SPIRITS OF FIRE - Embrace The Unknown
|
B: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
|
|
|
|
Heavy metal with Cris
Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) on guitar. Album number two picks
up where the first album “Spirits Of Fire“ (2019) has left, unfortunately also
in terms of the songwriting which can’t always keep up with the amount of talent
in the players. Mark Zonder (ex FATES WARNING, WARLORD) on drums. Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY)
takes over vocals duties this time from the mighty Tim „Ripper“ Owens, formerly
of JUDAS PRIEST and ICED EARTH fame..
MARTIN STARK
Watch:https://youtu.be/ARk15zw8QK0 |
|
ZADRA - Guiding Star
|
B: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
|
|
|
|
ZADRA, a new name featuring
the talents of American singer and guitarist August Zadra foremost who gathers a
great bunch of musicians around him with guests like Dennis DeYoung (v, ex STYX)
or Jeff Scott Soto (backing vocals). The sound is reminiscent of STYX, PRIDE OF
LIONS oder even UNRULY CHILD to mention only a few. Some really cool songs (“Nothing
More To Say“ or “Escape the Rain“) meet a few average compositions, too, but
absolutely well-produced throughout. Let’s see what happens…
MARTIN STARK
Watch:https://youtu.be/NkTYx4x2K9w |
|
MANIC SINNERS - King Of The Badlands
|
B: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
|
|
|
|
MANIC SINNERS around
multi-instrumentalist Adrian Igrisan, frontman of CARGO, really kick ass. The
Romanian band is a true discovery. “King Of The Badlands“ offers cool hooks but
also rough edges at times. The band plays classic hard rock in the vein of e.g.
JORN or THE FERRYMEN but which has got some unique features, too, to not drown
in the large number of new releases. And “Anatasia“ is a true hit. Reminiscent
at times of GORKY PARK, too.
MARTIN STARK
Watch:https://youtu.be/FPLTf_3-FP0 |
|
MECCA - 20 Years (3 CD box set, digi pack)
|
B: 16,5 € |
B: 20,5 € |
|
|
|
|
MECCA these days puts out a 3 disc best of compilation of their finest material
of the three previous albums - and there’s lot of that - plus several unreleased
songs. Pure AOR stuff with a strong west coast vibe from Joe Vana, the long-term
demo-singer of Jim Peterik (ex-SURVIVOR) and Fergie Frederiksen (ex TOTO). This
beautiful compilation is essential even for people owning every MECCA output.
Absolutely essential for lovers of SURVIVOR, TOTO and MR.MISTER.
MARTIN STARK
Listen:https://youtu.be/LcbPBtDx_WU |
|
MONRO - Monro +7 (digitally remastered)
|
B: 13 € |
B: 15,5 € |
|
|
|
|
Hailing from
Wales, these guys were on the prowl the same time as fellow countrymen
Kooga, though Monro's style of rock is much streamlined and glossy than
the counterparts. Released in 1987 on the small Spellbound Records label,
MONRO’s debut had the same potential as FM’s “Indiscreet”, “ATLANTIC’s “Power”,
the 2nd YA YA album or FATE’s “A Matter Of Attitude” and it’s still a
mystery why this band ended as a typically one off shot. They even supported LEE
AARON in Europe to promote this album, but that didn’t changed their situation
and the band broke up after just one killer album. Vol. 23 of the mage classic
"Lost U.K. jewels" series incl. 7 studio bonus tracks and limited as usual to
500 copies !!
Watch:https://youtu.be/VExd1VGdPPE |
|
NEW RELEASES IN STOCK !!
LIONVILLE - So Close To Heaven
|
B: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
|
|
|
|
The Italians around Stefano
Lionetti (g) and their exceptional Swedish voice Lars Säfsund (WORK OF ART, ART
OF ILLUSION) deliver their superb AOR sound as usual. Sugar-sweet melodies to
please fans of e.g. WORK OF ART, ECLIPSE or NITRATE and the like. Comes with a
RICHARD MARX cover (“Arrow Through My Heart“) as well as with a guest appearance
of Robby LaBlanc (v, BLANC FACES, FIND ME). Truely divine sounds for true lovers
of the very genre…
MARTIN STARK
Watch:https://youtu.be/nU7AqNM5GU4 |
|
DEGREED - Are You Ready
|
B: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
|
|
|
|
If there is this one band
with a true signature sound out there, well, it’s certainly DEGREED from Sweden.
Pretty heavy at times, constantly extremely melodic and also with beautiful
ballad-like sounds and even progressive passages the very next moment. Each song
offers a different flavor but it’s always easily recognizable as DEGREED. Album
number six will pave the way to the long-deserved breakthrough, that’s for sure.
Magnificent! “Feed The Lie“ or “Falling Down“ are pure magic!
MARTIN STARK
Watch:https://youtu.be/zgTYkYjmHqU |
|
GIRISH & THE CHRONICLES - Hail Of The Heroes
|
B: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
|
|
|
|
Powerful hard rock from
India! Their third effort is is both a true gem and a big surprise. Everybody
into THE ANSWER, THE TREATMENT or even AIRBOURNE can definitely not go wrong
here. The band themselves call what they do a trip from the Sunset Strip to
NWOBHM, and, yes, that’s what “Hail To The Heroes“ actually sounds like.
Timeless hard rock that usually emerges from the US or Britain only. But India
holds a surprise here…
MARTIN STARK
Watch:https://youtu.be/fPEPWampuLk |
|
CITY OF LIGHTS - Before The Sun Sets
|
B: 14,5 € |
B: 17,5 € |
|
|
|
|
It’s a collaboration of
newcomer songwriter Neil Austin (g) and the greek vocalist Manos Fatsis (ODYSSEY
DESPERADO). Both are backed up by Swedish Ericsson brothers Mats (d) and Robin
(b/v) from DEGREED. A pretty cool and all but shallow and one-dimensional
melodic record with numerous highlights. Tracks like “Racing The Redline“,
“Emily“ or “Snake Eyes“ are absolutely clear evidence of their talent. Thumbs
up!
MARTIN STARK
Watch:https://youtu.be/z_o7dyT_tpM |
|
INTERCORE - Dreams For Sale
|
B: 6 € |
B: 7,5 € |
|
|
|
|
INTERCORE are Raimo
Rommedahl (g, ex COUSIN BILL) and Jesper Max (v/g, ex FRAISE). The first being
the main songwriter and producer. The Swedish outfit plays hard rock. The album
was created over a period of four years and breathes the DNA of SCORPIONS and
THIN LIZZY at times but also way more contemporary sounds. Two or three songs
are not able to keep up the quite solid level of the rest.
MARTIN STARK
watch:https://youtu.be/x-ydhcsjhUY |
|
LAZARUS DREAM - Alive
|
B: 6 € |
B: 7,5 € |
|
|
|
|
LAZARUS DREAM brings back
two very talented and well-known players of the German hard rock scene. Markus
Pfeffer (g/b/key, SCARLETT, WINTERLAND) and Carsten „Lizard“ Schulz (v, EVIDENCE
ONE, DOMAIN, MIDNITE CLUB) offer a great album which is reminiscent of DOKKEN
and QUEENSRYCHE at times but which is also quite independent in its own respect.
Hopefully, “Alive“ is just the beginning because what you can hear here might
well be the beginning of something big.
MARTIN STARK
watch:https://youtu.be/z_5Zvra2sJw |
|
UNIVERSE INFINITY - Rock Is Alive
|
B: 6 € |
B: 7,5 € |
|
|
|
|
UNIVERSE are now UNIVERSE INFINITY. Less metal compared to the debut which sees
the light of day again these days but pure classic rock with a mighty eighties
flavor. New frontman Andreas Eklund (ex HOUSE OF SHAKIRA) does a great job. Ten
powerful tracks, showcasing nothing but superb guitars, shine. „Companys Coming“
for instance takes you by storm. Additionally, the album title says it all.
Period.
MARTIN STARK
watch:https://youtu.be/R_fRyPjzaTc |
|
UPPER LIP - Deep Within
|
B: 4 € |
B: 5 € |
|
|
|
|
Hard Rock from the island of
Malta. “Deep Within“ contains influences from like AC/DC, BLACK CROWES, GREAT
WHITE up tp even THE DARKNESS. Fronter Chris Portelli has got kind of an unique
voice which you either love or not. A record that is simply fun. Let alone the
groovy “Skinny Jeans“ or the happy-sounding “Mirrors & Masks“ be very
appropriate arguments for this interesting release. Nevertheless, UPPER LIP
rocks like hell.
MARTIN STARK
watch:https://youtu.be/MBHVAZ4X76U |
|
HAMMERFALL - 02/25
RICK CUA - 03/04
THE BRAVE - 02/25
HEADWAY - 03/04
|
|
|
|
