Alaska (as Bernie Marsden's Alaska) - Heart of the Storm (1984)
Album front and back image covers
Alaska (as Bernie Marsden’s Alaska) – Heart of the Storm (1984): Album Review, Tracklist, Credits, Legacy & Trivia
Released in 1984, Heart of the Storm is the debut studio album by British melodic hard rock/AOR band Alaska, led by legendary guitarist Bernie Marsden (best known for his work with Whitesnake). The record captures a polished early‑’80s rock sound — melodic yet powerful — and stands as a unique entry in Marsden’s diverse career.
Album Overview
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Artist: Alaska (as Bernie Marsden’s Alaska)
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Album: Heart of the Storm
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Release Year: 1984 (various editions list late 1983/early 1984)
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Genre: Melodic Hard Rock / AOR
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Label: RoadrunneR / Music for Nations / Polydor (some territories)
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Producer: Bernie Marsden
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Recording: Britannia Row, London & The Chapel, South Thoresby, Lincolnshire, UK (Jan–Feb 1984)
The album features a slick blend of melodic rock hooks, soaring choruses, and Marsden’s distinctive guitar work, balancing classic rock sensibilities with ‘80s production.
Tracklist
Side One
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Whiteout
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Don’t Say It’s Over
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Voice on the Radio
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Susie Blue
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Heart of the Storm
Side Two
6. I Need Your Love
7. Can’t Let Go
8. Other Side of Midnight
9. Headlines
10. The Sorcerer
Album Credits
Band Members
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Bernie Marsden – Guitar, Producer
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Robert Hawthorn – Lead Vocals
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Richard Bailey – Keyboards
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Brian Badhams – Bass Guitar
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John Marter – Drums
Production & Technical
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Engineers: Nick Griffiths, Guy Bidmead
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Assistant Engineers: Rick Woolgar, Andy Dransfield, Tim Dewey
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Mixed by: Nick and Guy
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Artwork: Brian Stevens & Eric Cooper
Notable Tracks
“Don’t Say It’s Over”
A melodic rock song featuring catchy hooks and strong vocals, co‑written by Marsden and Richard Bailey.
“Heart of the Storm”
The dramatic title track delivers anthemic riffing and lyrical intensity, characteristic of mid‑’80s rock.
“Susie Blue”
One of the more radio‑friendly cuts, this track highlights the band’s melodic leanings and strong chorus.
“Other Side of Midnight”
A classic AOR‑styled rocker with dynamic arrangements and memorable hooks.
Sound & Style
Heart of the Storm leans toward melodic hard rock and AOR — a genre blending catchy choruses, polished guitar tones, and strong vocal melodies. While Marsden had been known for blues‑based rock with Whitesnake, this album moves into mainstream rock territory, with keyboards adding atmospheric depth and the songs structured for immediate ear appeal.
The balance between Marsden’s guitar prowess and melodic songwriting creates an accessible yet richly textured rock record reflective of its early‑’80s era.
Reception, Impact & Legacy
The album did not achieve major chart success, but it holds cult status among fans of melodic rock and collectors. Critics and listeners often highlight its strong hooks and Marsden’s songwriting, even if some reviews regard parts of it as typical of ‘80s Radio Rock.
For Marsden, Heart of the Storm marked a post‑Whitesnake exploration into more mainstream melodic rock, capturing his versatility as a songwriter and guitarist.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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🎸 Marsden’s Post‑Whitesnake Project: After leaving Whitesnake, Bernie Marsden formed Alaska with vocalist Robert Hawthorn and keyboardist Richard Bailey — taking a more melodic direction.
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🎤 Mainstream AOR Vibe: The album features a style closer to ‘80s AOR and melodic rock bands than to Marsden’s blues rock past.
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📼 Singles & Media: “Susie Blue” and “Headlines” were used for promotion, with Headlines even featuring in UK media campaigns in the mid‑’80s.
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🎛️ Reissues: The album has seen reissues on CD with bonus tracks and remains sought after by fans of ‘80s rock and Bernie Marsden’s work.
Final Thoughts
Heart of the Storm (1984) stands as a distinctive and atmospheric piece of melodic rock from the early 1980s. While it may not have reached major commercial heights, it showcases Bernie Marsden’s breadth as a guitarist and composer, blending melodic hooks with crisp production and solid performances from a talented lineup. For fans of classic rock and ’80s AOR, this album is a rewarding exploration of a lesser‑known chapter in Marsden’s storied career.
Alaska (as Bernie Marsden’s Alaska)
Band Biography
Alaska was a British hard rock/AOR band formed in 1983 and led by legendary guitarist Bernie Marsden, best known for his work with Bernie Marsden in Whitesnake. After parting ways with Whitesnake in 1981, Marsden assembled Alaska as his next musical venture, aiming to blend melodic hard rock with the slick, commercial sound that was popular in the early‑1980s rock scene.
Alaska released two studio albums — Heart of the Storm (1984) and The Pack (1985) — before ultimately disbanding around 1986. The band combined driving guitar work, lush keyboards, and melodic vocals in a style that echoed both classic British rock and American AOR (album‑oriented rock). They toured Europe and supported acts like Manowar, but never achieved major commercial success despite strong musicianship and Marsden’s reputation.
Their music remains a cult favorite among fans of 1980s hard rock and those interested in Bernie Marsden’s post‑Whitesnake work.
Band Members – Individual Biographies
Bernie Marsden (Guitar, Founder)
Full Name: Bernard John Marsden
Born: May 7, 1951 – Buckingham, England
Died: August 24, 2023
Bernie Marsden was an influential British rock and blues guitarist, songwriter, and producer. He gained fame as a founding member of Whitesnake, co‑writing many of the band’s most iconic songs. After leaving Whitesnake in 1981, he formed Alaska, leading the band through its brief but creative existence. Marsden’s guitar style blended blues‑based phrasing with hard rock energy, and his melodic sensibilities gave Alaska’s music a distinctive edge. Beyond Alaska, Marsden played with numerous bands and released solo material throughout his long career.
Robert Hawthorn (Vocals)
Robert Hawthorn was the original lead singer for Alaska, contributing powerful melodic vocals that helped define the band’s sound on their early recording Heart of the Storm. Though not widely documented outside of Alaska, Hawthorn’s voice fit well with the band’s mix of rock and AOR.
Brian Badham (Bass, Piano)
Brian Badham was Alaska’s bassist and occasional pianist. His solid low end and musical versatility added depth to the band’s arrangements. Badham also contributed to the album Heart of the Storm.
John Marter (Drums)
John Marter was Alaska’s drummer, providing energetic and precise rhythms that drove the band’s hard‑rocking material. His drumming helped balance the melodic and heavier elements in Alaska’s music.
Richard Bailey (Keyboards – early)
Richard Bailey was an early keyboardist for Alaska and played on their debut album Heart of the Storm. His contributions included classic 1980s rock keyboard textures that helped shape the band’s sound.
Don Airey (Keyboards – later)
Don Airey, a renowned keyboardist who has played with bands like Deep Purple, later joined Alaska, replacing Bailey. Airey’s expansive style added sophistication and depth to the band’s later material.
Albums
Heart of the Storm (1984)
Alaska’s debut studio album. Driven by melodic hooks and classic rock arrangements, it includes standout tracks like “Whiteout,” “Susie Blue,” and the title track Heart of the Storm.
The Pack (1985)
The follow‑up studio album, continuing the band’s blend of melodic hard rock and AOR sensibilities.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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🎸 Alaska was formed by Bernie Marsden shortly after he left Whitesnake.
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🎤 The band supported Manowar on tour in Europe, giving them exposure to hard‑rock audiences.
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🎹 Don Airey, who later joined the band, is a renowned keyboardist who has worked with Deep Purple, Ozzy Osbourne, and many others.
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🎶 Alaska’s albums were released on notable labels such as Music for Nations and Island Records.
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🚀 Despite Marsden’s fame and strong musicianship, Alaska never broke through to mainstream charts.
Did You Know?
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🥁 The band’s drummer John Marter was one of several solid session and touring drummers who played with prominent British rock acts in the 1980s.
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📀 Alaska’s sound combined both melodic rock (AOR) and hard rock, making it stylistically diverse for its time.
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📜 Alaska’s recordings were re‑released years later on live and anthology collections long after the band itself had split.
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🧠 Bernie Marsden continued to perform and record music in multiple projects throughout his life, well beyond Alaska’s existence.