AILAFAR – Heartbeat (2017)

Greek AOR combo AILAFAR return with new album titled “Heartbeat“, and new label, Perris Records, so it’s granted the album will be available in America as well. Ailafar sound & style is absolutely second half of the ’80s AOR mixed with Melodic Rock, plenty of classy guitars typical from these genres and of course, layers of keyboards / synths all over.

And “Heartbeat” is not an exception regarding these genres.
As happened on the previous, this new album features guest vocalists including Steve Overland from FM, Dean Mess of hard rockers W.A.N.T.ED band, Kelly Blake of Jailcat, and Constantine Maris of Forbidden Sin.
But now Ailafar sounds more tight than never before. It features the wonderful vocals of Elisabeth Mari who is a long time live member from the band.
So in “Heartbeat” you have male / female lead vocals resulting in a more enjoyable set of songs.

The album opens with the juicy midtempo ‘Do You Really Want My Love?’, a great melodic rocker where you can hear Ailafar step further in terms of production. Everything sounds crear and very well mixed.
Then on ‘Stop Running Away’, the first of the female-fronted vocals the group bring to mind Saraya, while ‘Bucket List’ has a Vixen feel.
‘Now We Rock’ is driven by more biting guitars, as well as ‘Cast Away’ a very catchy song with nice harmony vocals and a certain Robin Beck feel.

There’s Steve Overland providing class on the synth filled AOR of ‘Dream Date’ (one of the highlights), ‘Come Like an Angel’ is an organic melodic rocker with an American touch, and we find more AOR melodies on the semi-ballad ‘Forever As One’ (Heart / Ann Wilson influence), and a pumping AOR tune in the delicious duet ‘My Heart Belongs to You’.

“Heartbeat” is another very strong album from Ailafar, a pure delight for ’80s AOR / Melodic Rock fans. Tzortzis is a skilled songwriter and as guitarist keeps things simple adding an occasional solo but always concentrated in the rhythm of the tracks. And believe me, this provide a lot of catchiness.
The band as a whole feels like a ‘real band’ indeed, and despite the male guest singers, Ailafar works darn fine as a female-fronted outfit as well.
’80s AOR / Melodic Rock you need to listen to this one.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Do You Really Want My Love?
02 – Stop Running Away
03 – Bucket List
04 – Now We Rock
05 – Dream Date (feat. Steve Overland)
06 – Live Love Dream
07 – Come Like an Angel
08 – Forever as One
09 – My Heart Belongs to You
10 – Another You
11 – Cast Away
12 – Pulse

Vocals: Elisabeth Mari
Guitars: John Tzortzis
Bass: Kostas Mauroudis
Keyboards: Vangelis Valis
Drums: Fotis Nestor
guest lead vocals:
Steve Overland (FM)
Dean Mess (W.A.N.T.E.D)
Kelly Blake (Jailcat)
Constantine Maris (Forbidden Sin)

BUY IT !
www.perrisrecords.com/new_releases/ailafar___heartbeat/
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