One Sided War

One year ago today, August 26, 2016, the world went to war.  It was a one-sided war led by Michael Sweet, and it resulted in complete victory.

There is a reason this album is called One Sided War. It is a sonic attack unleashed by Michael Sweet and his army of metal warriors. Michael has said in numerous interviews that this is his heaviest solo album to date, and it is. It may also be the finest showcase for his incredible voice, which is truly better than ever, and for a hard-hitting, guitar-driven, in-your-face sound that so many of his fans love. The whole album kills, and a few of the highlights are as follows

"Bizarre"... Opens with a riff that is reminiscent of Van Halen's “Hot For Teacher," then turns into a straight ahead rocker with a deep, solid foundation from bass and drums. It could have been a Stryper song given the melody, but the guitar solos are different…fierce and attacking.

"One Sided War"...Pounding drums to open. Echo-y sound to the vocals with some modulation creates an intense atmosphere. A bit of a Twisted Sister feel in the vocal bridge, then a great melodic guitar solo backed by the steady attack of the rhythm section.

"Can’t Take This Life"...This is an early favorite for me. The pounding of drums sounds like mortars falling. The guitar attack…you can just picture Michael and Ethan Brosh with their guitars held out from their bodies like six-string machine guns. The vocal then opens up, and I am not reminded of Stryper. I am not reminded of anything else. This is pure Michael Sweet.

"Radio"...I absolutely love this song. Joel Hoekstra's banjo opens, and we then move into a swaggering rhythm and opening guitar. Fun song, super fun video. The fact is, this is a gritty country-rock song with a heavy emphasis on the grit and the rock.

"Golden Age"...Fast attack out of the gates, pounding drums and guitar opening into a short melodic solo and then Michael’s attacking vocals reminiscent a bit of Dio, then moving to a chorus that could have fit perfectly on the Stryper album No More Hell To Pay.

"Only You"...Even though it is not Joel on guitars for this one, the opening could well have been to a Whitesnake tune. Slows down a bit, then picks back up to a great rock sound that would have played well in the ‘80s but is in no way dated.

"I Am"...Another opening with thunderous drums and guitar attack moving into an intro that would have worked well on the Sweet & Lynch album. This one has an undeniably Dio-esque sound in the dark, slow vocals. A true standout track for Michael’s voice.

"Who Am I"...This is the true ballad of the album. It is guitar driven rather than based on keyboards, which is great.

"You Make Me Wanna"...Drums and arena-filling guitar opener…great classic rock sound to vocals.

"Comfort Zone"...Opening could have come from Stryper’s Reborn era. Another great straight-ahead rocker.

"One Way Up"... Bluesy, dare I say country opening? Not surprising since Joel, who has been bending the strings in Whitesnake, is back on guitar.. Lean and mean in the vocals.

"Can’t Take This Life" (with Moriah Formica)...Just as he did on his last solo album, Not Your Suicide, where he brought in Electra Mustaine on a second version of "Heart of Gold," Michael has once again given the microphone to an up and coming young vocalist. Formica has a voice that is way beyond her years. For my money, she adds more to this song than Mustaine added to “Heart of Gold.”

Bottom line: If you want killer guitars that will blow you back when you crank the sound to 11, a rhythm section that hits with fists of concrete, and vocals that flat out beat the daylights out of just about anyone else, then this is your album. Classic hard rock/metal sound, yet perfectly produced for today.