Michael Sweet frontman of legendary hardrock band Stryper have checked in with the following update:
Stryper has seen a lot over the past 33 years. Good times/bad times, ups & downs, smiles and tears but by the grace of God we’re still here. Stryper is still going! Why? Because it’s bigger than any one of us, its purpose is beyond any one of us and the goal has nothing to do with us – it has everything to do with God and His calling on this band.
As long as The Calling is there we will be there. Ready to serve and ready to rock. The ball is rolling on a brand new studio album and we’re ready for something new, recharged and revised. We can’t wait to get into the studio and record and we can’t wait to hit the road in 2018. Amazing things are ahead of us and this band will be stronger and better than ever.
Thank you all for standing by what we do – M
Michael Sweet is performing a solo acoustic show at the Narrows Center in Fall River, MA, on Friday, June 2nd, and the show will be filmed for a live DVD release. There will also be a meet and greet after the show, also due to be filmed.
Go to this location for more information.
Sweet‘s seventh solo album, “One Sided War”, was released 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.
The CD was tracked at Spirithouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts.
“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.
Our review for “One Sided War” can be found here.
Upcoming Shows:
May 28, 2017 – Dalton, MA, The Sposatos
Jun 2, 2017 – Fall River, MA, Narrows Center for the Arts w/ Louis St. August & Gene D’Itria (of MASS)
Jun 3, 2017 – Poughkeepsie, NY, The Chance w/ Ryder Amanda Ayala & The Midnight Glory
Jun 4, 2017 – Halethorpe, MD, Fish Head Cantina
Jun 5, 2017 – Vienna, VA, Jammin Java
Jun 6, 2017 – Lynchburg, VA, Phase 2
Jun 14, 2017 – Hickory, NC, Main Cellar City Club
Jun 15, 2017 – Buford, GA, 37 Main Street
Jun 16, 2017 – Valdosta, GA, Salty Snapper
Jun 17, 2017 – Satellite Beach, FL, Ashley’s Sports Page
Aug 4, 2017 – Chesterfield , MI, Diesel Concert Theatre
Aug 5, 2017 – Joliet, IL, The Forge
Aug 6, 2017 – Richmond, IN, The Firehouse
Aug 23, 2017 – Rio de Janiero, Brazil, Teatro Rival w/ John Schlitt: The Voice of Petra
Aug 25, 2017 – Goiânia, Brazil, Teatro Sesi w/ John Schlitt: The Voice of Petra
Aug 26, 2017 – São Paulo, Brazil, Teatro Gamaro w/ John Schlitt: The Voice of Petra
Aug 27, 2017 – Curitiba, Brazil, Teatro Bom Jesus w/ John Schlitt: The Voice of Petra
Aug 29, 2017 – Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Cine Theatro Brasil w/ John Schlitt: The Voice of Petra
Sep 2, 2017 – Arenales, Puerto Rico, Hydra
Sep 28, 2017 – West Hollywood, CA, Whisky A Go Go
Sep 30, 2017 – Sacramento, CA, Goldfield Trading Post
Feb 11, 2018 – Miami, FL, Monsters of Rock Cruise 2018
Feb 12, 2018 – Miami, FL, Monsters of Rock Cruise 2018
Feb 13, 2018 – Miami, FL, Monsters of Rock Cruise 2018
Feb 14, 2018 – Miami, FL, Monsters of Rock Cruise 2018
Feb 15, 2018 – Miami, FL, Monsters of Rock Cruise 2018
Feb 16, 2018 – Miami, FL, Monsters of Rock Cruise 2018
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