Released by: AOR Heaven
Release Date: September 22nd, 2017
Genre: AOR/Melodic Rock
Links: https://www.facebook.com/
Line Up:
Steve Newman
Shaun Bessant
Paul Boyle
David Bartlett
Pete Newdeck
Tracklist:
01. Fear Of Flying
02. Don’t Wake The Lion
03. Can’t Stop Loving You
04. Life To Remember
05. High Tonight (Aerial),
06. Vertigo (Leap Of Faith)
07. Two Sides
08. I Am Your Man
09. Always Strangers
10. Nothing Left
11. Still Bleeding
12. You Don’t Know Me
One of the best-kept secrets in the AOR world is the band, Newman. Formed in 1997 by main man Steve Newman, he has consistently released some amazing albums that so much more people should’ve been hip to. It’s a shame Newman isn’t a wider known act than they are now, but no sense in lamenting that. It’s time to rectify it. On the precipice of releasing their 11th album, about to hit the shelves on 9/22, it is your chance to propel a much deserving band into the stratosphere.
On Ariel, Newman has crafted another astounding collection of some top-notch AOR hard rock out there. Want guitar riffs that will grab you instantly? Got it. Want a powerful voice that I would say is harder-edged than most in the AOR world? Yep, here too. Want songs that are inspirational, catchy, and memorable? Ariel has that and so much more. What sets Newman apart from most bands of this style is a hard rock spirit making their melodic sound a bit more edgy than most AOR bands. Songs like “High Tonight,” “Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Still Bleeding,” and “Two Sides” are prime examples of why they’re one of the best in the business, encapsulating melodic sensibilities and hard rock seamlessly.
There have already been some top-notch albums released this year from some AOR stalwarts, but Newman, especially with Ariel, is as deserving to be mentioned in the same breath as bands like Harem Scarem, Jaded Heart, and Hardline. The music is so compelling and emotional, you can’t help but get swept up by it. I really dig this band and hope you do too. With such a wide catalog for such a relatively unknown band, you can’t go wrong with any of their albums, but much like a fine wine, Newman keeps getting better, and Ariel demonstrates that perfectly.
Written by: Chris Martin
Ratings: 9/10
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