Michael Sweet - One Sided War (2016)

Michael Sweet will be releasing a new solo album called One Sided War thru Rat Pak Records on August 29th.

Hype video:


info from Blabbermouth:

STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet will release his seventh solo album, "One Sided War", on August 26 via Rat Pak Records. Backing Michael on the record are WHITESNAKE guitarist Joel Hoekstra, EVANESCENCE drummer Will Hunt, bassist John O'Boyle and East Coast shred-master Ethan Brosh.

"One Sided War" showcases a full plate of hard rock and classic metal riffs that Michael Sweet has come to be known for throughout his illustrious musical career.

"Musically, it's my heaviest solo album," Sweet said. "It's not thrash metal but there are definitely some songs on there that will pop out at you. There are some songs that have a bit of the IRON MAIDEN / DIO feel to them, as well as some songs that have a little bit of a VAN HALEN influence to them. It's a very guitar-oriented, hard rock/metal album with lots of melodies and hooks."

The fast and furious opener "Bizarre" ignites the album's pace with its lightning fast riffage, soaring vocals and blazing guitar solos. Tracks like "Can't Take This Life", "One Sided War", "Golden Age", "I Am" and "Comfort Zone" keep the metal fires ablaze, while songs like "Radio", "One Way" and "You Make Me Wanna" bring the hard rock vibe to the forefront.

"One Sided War" features only one ballad, "Who Am I?", a heartfelt, passionate song that reminds us of the softer side of Michael's talents. Closing out the disc is a bonus track; it's a different version of the song "Can't Take This Life", a duet between Michael and 16-year-old up-and-coming female vocalist Moriah Formica.

The bits in that EPK video sound pretty cool, so I'm in. Michael has definitely been on a roll lately with the last couple of Stryper records and Sweet & Lynch as well, this seems like it will continue that tradition...

I know one person on the board who won't be buying this.

I think this sounds pretty good.

That DOES sound good!

This one is mine! love michael's voice.

Sounds really good. Probably won't purchase any bundles, but I'll definitively check it out on Spotify.

Sounds good!!!

Preordered from Amazon!

Video for first single, "Bizarre"

Sounds great! I'll be getting this for sure!

I'm in. Thanks for the heads up, Keith.

This song does rock... but the question I have before I buy it... is how many ballads and pop songs are on this album...?

I've always enjoyed Stryper's rockin stuff.. but the ballads...eh... not so much... If the album has 7-8 tracks like this, I can dig it...

I think it might have only one ballad. I am currently listening to the Mitch Lafon podcast and they talk about each and every new song (but they don't play any). I'm the same way, I love Michael and Stryper but do not like ANY of the ballads.

I don't care much at all for any of the 80's ballads with a few small exceptions.

The only Stryper ballad from back in the day that has aged well at all is "Lady" from ATL. The rest have held up about as well as milk on a hot driveway.

Really looking forward to this one myself, we have it up for pre order at Christian Metal Distro as well

http://christianmetaldistro.storenvy.com/products/17425565-michael-sweet-one-sided-war-2016

Ha! I think this video is hilarious. Around 2:55 Robert and Oz cameo.

This came out on Friday, right? I wonder what the odds would be of them having it at my local Best Buy? (scratches chin thoughtfully) I gotta stop in the Wal-Mart next door to it on my way home from work tonight anyway, can't hurt to take a quick look.

Fat Freddy wrote:

This came out on Friday, right? I wonder what the odds would be of them having it at my local Best Buy? (scratches chin thoughtfully) I gotta stop in the Wal-Mart next door to it on my way home from work tonight anyway, can't hurt to take a quick look.

I pretty much decided that Best Buy or Walmart would be a waste of time so I ordered from Amazon and it arrived on Friday. Pretty solid release, not really a bad track on it. My only complaint is it is recorded too hot but most modern productions are.

mikeinfla wrote:

I pretty much decided that Best Buy or Walmart would be a waste of time so I ordered from Amazon and it arrived on Friday. Pretty solid release, not really a bad track on it. My only complaint is it is recorded too hot but most modern productions are.

Yeah, deep down I know I'm most likely gonna be wasting my time, but if I'm gonna be in the neighborhood anyway I might as well take the shot.

I got the new Anthrax and Metal Church discs at this particular Best Buy store over the past few months, tho, so I figure there's a 50/50 chance that they might actually have Sweet's CD in stock. We shall see...

Quote :

Yeah, deep down I know I'm most likely gonna be wasting my time, but if I'm gonna be in the neighborhood anyway I might as well take the shot.

Well, that wasn't exactly a surprise. No Michael Sweet disc @ Best Buy but the trip wasn't a total loss - while in Wal-Mart to pick up the back to school stuff my wife had ordered online, I snagged Black Sabbath's Sabotage for $7.

That's a good pickup, FF. I might take a ride to the mall in the morn w/ my daughter so I will be on the hunt for this one.

Since I didn't make it to the mall yesterday I just bought a gently used copy of the bay for $8. Should be here in a few days.