ANGELS OR KINGS – Kings Of Nowhere (2014) *HQ*
If ever there was an ’80s British AOR that were criminally ignored by record labels, then A.O.K. fitted that bill perfectly. Founded in Manchester, England in 1988, they were made up of ex members of Sam Thunder, Circus and Strutz, to name a few, and tore it up on Oxford Road – Manchester’s answer to Sunset Strip – playing the Banshee and Rockworld, as well as opener in larger venues for Dare and Danger Danger.
After 30 years this superb band pull it out of the fire. Under the complete name ANGELS OR KINGS, the band released their official debut album “Kings Of Nowhere” in 2014 via AOR Heaven Records.
As requested, here’s this awesome Melodic Hard Rock / AOR album with all that ’80s British magic regarding these genres.
Like a fine wine or single malt whisky, “Kings Of Nowhere” has been worth wait.
A fault with many of the modern AOR / Melodic Rock bands is writing to a formula, and they try to make every song an anthem. Theres’ nothing wrong with this, but AOK are old-school and their craft comes from a time when some of the greats put plenty of time and effort into their writing.
Think of some of your favourite bands – Journey, Giant, Giuffria – from the past and the newer age such as H.E.A.T., Vega, Eclipse; well Angels Or Kings ride this AOR train hot on the coat tails of these luminaries past and present.
Opener “Any Other Girl” is a song that just slaps you around the face and deserves to be heard by the masses. After just one listen I guarantee that you’ll be humming and singing into your hairbrush (if you still have hair) along with lead vocalist Baz Jackson, making 5-part harmonies, and begging for more.
“Ice Turned To Rain” is a song that would be a huge in in ’80s FM Radio America. Come to think of it, the last time I was there, they still think its 1988. “Real Life” is the type of song the likes of Overland’s FM tried to write in the early 90s – it’s a blood and guts, fire and brimstone epic number.
Then “Same Star” just oozes melodic class. Halfway through and I just feel as if I have have run out of superlatives to describe this crackin’ slab of lovliness!
“Left In Love” has yet another singalong chorus and again keeps the Angels Or Kings momentum up high. Keyboards galore feature high on the ‘AOK Jonathan Cain scale’ and they definitely add to the quality, with “Another Lost Boy” being a prime example. “If Her Tears Could Talk” and title track “Kings Of Nowhere” keep the album strong right to the bitter end.
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Angels Or Kings play pure, I mean PURE, ’80s AOR / Melodic Rock.
If you love this genre and love well crafted little nuggets of gold, then look no further than “Kings Of Nowhere”, easily among the best AOR albums of this new Millennium. Superb songs, excellent production, classy playin’ n’ singin’… you can’t go wrong.
An album that if released in 1988 would be a classic these days… well, never it’s too late, “Kings Of Nowhere” is destined to be a classic in years to come.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
01 – Any Other Girl
02 – A Harder Place
03 – Ice Turned To Rain
04 – Real Life
05 – Same Star
06 – Someone To Save Me
07 – Left Me In Love
08 – A Night Like This
09 – Another Lost Boy
10 – Same Old Love
11 – If Her Tears Would Talk
12 – Kings Of Nowhere
Baz Jackson – Vocals
Tony Bell – Guitars
Rob Naylor – Bass
Steve Kenny – Guitars, Keyboards
Andy Chemmey – Drums
out of print
www.amazon.co.uk/Kings-Nowhere-Angels/dp/B00MYL4N4M
