Four albums with Stryper, two solo albums and throw in Sweet & Lynch – Michael Sweet sure has been a man on a mission these last 5 years. And I for one, sure am not complaining…Delivering us One Sided War, now his 7th solo release, you’d be a brave person to deny that he is in the best form of his career and this arguably his best solo release yet.
In the lead up, Sweet made no apologies that this was going to be his heaviest solo release yet. Opener Bizarre blazes at a frenetic pace with a monster chorus and guitarists Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Night Ranger) and Ethan Brosh shred up a storm – with guitars a central theme to the entire album. Title track One Sided War drops the tempo slightly, but maintains equal parts heaviness and soars into an anthemic chorus. Can’t Take This Life is summed up in one word – crushing. Brutal riff and menacing lead guitar, but once again Sweet’s way around a memorable hook will have this song firmly implanted in your brain. If you have the bonus track version of this album, you’ll be in for a treat with an alternate version featuring 16yo Moriah Formica taking lead vocals.
The twists and turns through hard rock and metal keep things bouncing along, one twist being Radio which throws some slide guitar and Country rock twang. With it’s tongue in cheek lyrics and video to match, it’s Sweet’s ode to those rockers who move to Nashville and suddenly find their country twang…
Golden Age heads in the direction of traditional power metal whilst Only You delivers a killer hard rock track, both also lyrically being the heaviest dealing with the power and forgiveness of God. It’s track 8 Who Am I were its ballad time, dark and moody and a great vocal performance from Sweet.
You Make Me Wanna and One Way Up are the closest I personally feel to Stryper on this album, specifically Against The Law era, an album I love. They bookend the trilogy of stellar hard rock numbers to close out the album. Seriously, this album ends just as strong as it began, edge of the seat listening from start to finish.
Simply put, this is absolutely essential for any fan of Stryper or Michael Sweet.
TRACKLIST
Bizarre
One Sided War
Can’t Take This Life
Radio
Golden Age
Only You
I Am Who Am I
You Make Me Wanna
Comfort Zone
One Way Up
Can’t Take This Life (bonus track; feat; Moriah Formica)
