The AOR thread

[Black Rider]

I like AOR and I ain't ashamed. Let's talk about it

Airrace-Most Know them for their debut album because it had Jason Bonham on it and it's quintessential 80s AOR. The broke up until 2011 when they returned without Bonham and put out an average but not bad album called, Back To the Start. In 2018 they came back with  only one original member, quitarist Laurie Mansworth and released Untold Stories. It's a big step up and has everything quality AOR should have, nice quitar solos, catchy choruses and great production. 

Listen: 

[Constantine]

Alien is a Swedish AOR band formed in Gothenburg in 1986.  They released their 1st (self-titled) record in 1988, and had a minor hit with "Brave New Love," the 'end credits' song in the 1988 remake of The Blob.

I paid no attention to them back then.  They put out more albums, broke up in 2005, then reformed in 2010.  
They came onto my radar in 2014 with this awesome AOR tune "Summer Of Love."   
It's on the lighter side of AOR, but has the kind of sweeping, melodic chorus that I like, and some cool guitar work.

[Constantine]

Sorry, couldn't resist posting one more....

House of Shakira is another Swedish band, from Stockholm. 
They formed in 1990 and came onto my radar in 1997 with the opening track from their 1st album "Lint."  
This one is also an AOR gem IMO.

[Follower of Jesus]

Evidence One is a good band in this style. Here’s a couple of my favorites. 

[Black Rider]

I've heard of House of Shakira but never listened, need to check out more. 
Evidence One reminds me a little of Letter 7, maybe a little harder then most AOR but I like that.

[alldatndensum]

I have gotta check out Evidence One!  That sounds amazing!

[Black Rider]

Pride of Lions is a newer AOR band formed in 2003 and features guitarist Jim Peterik of Survivor Toby Hitchcock on vocals. I swear, half the guys in AOR have ties to Survivor or Toto. Anyways, here's a vid: 

[Staybrite]

Love me some AOR.  Perfect Plan is a new band I've been getting into lately.  They have two full length albums and a digital only EP of  covers.

[Black Rider]

Never heard of them but they sound like Treat. Good stuff.

[alldatndensum]

Perfect Plan sound really good, too!

[Snert I]

Listened to some of their songs and I agree - nice sound!


Place Vendome with Michael Kiske (Helloween) on vocals:



They did a cover of Casting Crowns' "Set me free" on their second album, which caught me by surprise, when I prelistened the CD in a shop.

[Black Rider]

I've listened to Place Vendome some but somehow forget about them. I don't know CC songs much, that's pretty cool.

[Black Rider]

Strangeways. A band from Scotland but on their second and third albums had American, Terry Brock on vocals. You might know Terry from singing on later Giant albums and he's done solo stuff as well as being in a couple other bands. They are the definition of 80s AOR. 

[Constantine]

I found that Strangeways album in a used CD bin in the early 90's - it was one of those "boring cover but surprisingly good" finds.  

707 - You might recognize this song, it was a minor radio hit and was also re-worked as "Calling To You" for the 1st Frehley's Comet album.  Todd Howarth who co-wrote the song played with Ace Frehley for awhile, also Ted Nugent and Cheap Trick.

[Constantine]

Illusion was an obscure band from the 80's, although they did put out 2 albums on Geffen before disappearing.  
I liked the 1st album best.  They had 2 former members of Mother's Finest in the band.  
A few of their songs were played on the radio show "Metal Shop" hosted by Charlie Kendall.

[Black Rider]

Yep I know Mega Force. Illusion on the other hand, I completely missed. Another one to check out more of.

[Staybrite]

Strangeways. A band from Scotland but on their second and third albums had American, Terry Brock on vocals. You might know Terry from singing on later Giant albums and he's done solo stuff as well as being in a couple other bands. They are the definition of 80s AOR. 

Speaking of Giant.  The two "new guys" on the last Giant album Terry Brock and John Roth (guitars) did another project together (back in 2016) simply titled "Roth Brock Project".  It's got some pretty cool AOR stuff on it as well.

[Constantine]

This is a U.K. band called Heartland.  I found them today on You Tube, they have been together since 1991 and are still recording:

[Black Rider]

Never heard them, sounds good.

[Staybrite]

Two bands featuring the same vocalist Steve Overland.  
FM has been one of Britain's AOR staples since the mid 80's.  They have something like a dozen full length studio albums with even more EPs/live albums.



Groundbreaker also features Steve Overland on vocals but has only been around for a few years and are set to release their second album any time now.

[Black Rider]

I've listened to FM and they have a few good songs but overall it's kind of blah. That Groundbreaker song is good though, I'll check out more.

[Constantine]

Universe Infinity is a band from Sweden that produced one of THE best Swedish metal albums ever in 1985 under the name Universe.  They reformed in 2018 after over 30 years and are now more of an AOR band.  They have a new singer and a youthful energy:

[Staybrite]

Oh wow, really digging those "Universe Infinity" tracks.

[Black Rider]

If you told me those songs were from '85 I'd believe you. Good stuff.

[L8T]

I'm listening to them in the kitchen and my wife said "Are they from the 80's"  

They sound Great!

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