When it comes to rare AOR albums this one is without a doubt one of the more elusive. “Heaven Calls” is the 1992’s CD by Finnish singer / musician Patrik Linman, who mostly worked as songwriter and producer for others.
Originally released by the tiny local Traccer Music label, a big chunk of the CD pressing was destroyed and since then, became a collectors item as the music packed inside is top class AOR / Melodic Rock crafted with Scandinavian finesse. The few CD copies circulating on the second hand market go for insane prices.
Now thanks to Patrik and producer Clas Holm, LINMAN ”Heaven Calls” is getting a full makeover. The album has been remastered by Clas, giving the songs more punch and brilliance.
Reissued via MelodicRock Classics with new artwork, “Heaven Calls [MelodicRock Classics Deluxe Edition remastered]” features a special bonus; the first 500 units come with a second disc of recordings made by Patrik across the years, 2002-2016. The style of these songs matches the melodic rock style of ”Heaven Calls”. JK Northrup has jumped in to remaster these.
Patrick Linman started his musical path by being a bass player and singer in Finnish rock band Action in the early 80s. After 3 years of music studies he went on to form hard rock band Not Yet in 1990. The group released one single in 1991.
In 1992 Linman released his first solo album ”Heaven Calls”, then 1999 he formed pop band called Place 2 Go. This pop-duo got signed to Universal Sweden and released the album ‘Faces’ in 2000. Patrick also participated in Finnish Eurovision twice, 2004 and 2005.
In 2006 he became manager and songwriter for his son’s great band Sturm und Drang. The band became a huge success in many countries and sold both gold and platinum. 2020 Patrick participated in Voice of Finland.
On this labum all are carefully crafted melodic songs. Title track “Heaven Calls” starts with some fantastic harmony vocals and bursts into a midtempo classic AOR song that sounds like a mix of early SOUTHERN SONS and MARK FREE. The chorus is so catchy – a true winner for all AOR fans!
“Everybody Want Some Love” is classic uptempo AOR that also has an excellent chorus that you sing-a-long the first time you hear it. “Tell Me” is a fantastic AOR ballad that somehow reminds me very much of DAKOTA.
Besides the mentioned fantastic AOR pieces, the rest is pretty awesome too, such as the uptempo melodic rocker “Set me Free” (again recalling MARK FREE), the smooth ballad “Love is no Lie”, and the terrific uptempo melodic rocker “Eyes of the World” – written by Eric Martin, Neal Schon & Kevin Elson, previously recorded by Eric Martin on his self-titled album from 1985. Linman’s version is great!
From 2005 to recent time Patrick has been mostly writing music for other artists, recording own songs (many featured here on the bonus disc) plus doing thousands of live gigs with many different constellations. Now it’s time for ”Heaven Calls” again!
A must for classic AOR fans.
You’ve seen it first at plotn08
Heaven Calls remastered:
01 – Find Me Another Way
02 – Set Me Free
03 – Love Is No Lie
04 – Heaven Calls
05 – Just Don’t Leave Me Alone
06 – Electric Crusade
07 – Everybody Want Some Love
08 – Rock ‘n Roll Heals Me
09 – Tell Me
10 – Pain and Ecstasy
11 – Day After Day
12 – Eyes Of The World
Bonus Disc:
01 – Are You Happy When You’re Smiling
02 – Crazy
03 – Dreamers
04 – Easier To Walk Away
05 – Even If The Sun Doesn’t Rise Again
06 – Everything But Still Nothing New
07 – Fine Fine Again
08 – Long And Winding Road
09 – Can’t Stop Loving You
10 – Such A Foolish Way
11 – Summertime Sky
12 – Julie
Patrick Linman – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Drums
Nicke Sebbas – Guitar solos
Nicke Hoxell – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Clas Holm – Bass, Keyboards, Guitar, Drums