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Michael Sweet - One Sided War

7/16/2016

 
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by Matman

​Holy Cow!

It appears Michael Sweet never got the message about slowing down or becoming mellower with age. Since 2014 Sweet has released two very heavy Stryper albums; NO MORE HELL TO PLAY and FALLEN and on his own I'M NOT YOUR SUICIDE and a team-up with guitarist George Lynch for ONLY TO RISE. Not only is that a lot of music... it's quality music, too. Ad to this collection Michael Sweet's latest solo release, ONE SIDED WAR!

On first listen it is obviously Sweet's hardest solo release to date. Not to say it is an all out riff attack, but it is heavy. There is a modern and completely fresh sound, but the album doesn't hide his influences at all. 

ONE SIDED WAR starts off with the first single/release 'Bizarre' which has an almost classic Van Halen feel to it. Like any great album kick off song, this one sets the tone for what to expect. The next two songs; 'One Sided War' and 'Can't Take This Life' continue with powerful playing, amazing harmonies and Sweet's trademark and never failing vocals, especially on the title track. Things change up a bit for 'Radio', a country-twinged rocker that took a little time to get used to with its comical lyrics and chugging guitars; complete with steel guitar to give it that twang.

Joining Sweet on this album is an all star team of players; drummer Will Hunt (Evanescence), bassist John O'Boyle and guitarists Ethan Brosh and Joel Hoekstra who recently tore it up on Whitesnake's THE PURPLE ALBUM. On songs like 'Golden Age' (my favorite off the album), the slower 'Who Am I' and 'Comfort Zone' it is more than obvious that Sweet collected players that can not only play, but mesh well together.

For me there are two surprises on this album. 'You Make Me Wanna' could easily be a radio hit... if radio played good music anymore. It's loaded with hooks, nice guitars and almost an 1980's Stryper moment mixed with some Dokken and KISS. Rounding out the disc (the bonus track) is another version of 'Can't Take This Life', this time featuring vocals by
Moriah Formica, a 15 year old rocker with a big voice and a ton of talent! Moriah will be releasing her own cd soon featuring a song with Michael Sweet.  

What I have loved about Michels Sweet's solo career is that no two of his albums sound alike, but are connected by his incredible voice and heartfelt songwriting.  ONE SIDED WAR carries on that tradition and somehow walks the line between what new music fans wanna hear and what Michael Sweet's fans expect! A perfect balance!

MATMAN Rating - 5 out of 5 sonic screams

ONE SIDED WAR will be released on August 26, 2016 by Rat Pak Records and is available for pre-order at www.ratpakrecords.com



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BOOM! Brings Jack Burton and Snake Plissken Together This October

7/15/2016

 
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Our friends over at BOOM! have been making some big reveals in the lead up to San Diego Comic Con, and this one is a doozy. I'll let them spill the beans:

Our third announcement in the #RoadToSanDiego reveals our upcoming BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA/ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK crossover limited series, debuting in October!

That's right: Jack Burton meets Snake Plissken in the most unlikeliest of team-ups that will shake the pillars of heaven! Written by Greg Pak (Totally Awesome Hulk,Action Comics) with art by Russ Manning Award nominee Daniel Bayliss (Kennel Block Blues, Translucid
), the six-issue limited series is the first time two John Carpenter creations have crossed over in any format, and he's excited about it!

Snake and Jack together in a story written by Greg Pak?  Yes please.

Justin Jordan Answers the Call of Duty This October

7/14/2016

 
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Press Release


Dark Horse Comics, Activision Publishing, Inc., and award-winning game development studio, Treyarch have teamed up to deliver Call of Duty: Zombies, a comic book series of undead proportions, written by comics superstar Justin Jordan (Green Lantern: New Guardians), and illustrated by Jonathan Wayshak (Devolution), with story by Zombies Director, Jason Blundell and the studio’s Lead Writer, Craig Houston. With incredible covers by superstar artist Simon Bisley, the waves of undead come straight out of Call of Duty: Black  Ops III Zombies experience and onto the pages of Dark Horse Comics!

Since Treyarch first introduced Zombies to the Call of Duty franchise as an Easter Egg in Call of Duty: World at War, it has grown into its own pop-culture phenomenon, becoming an indispensable part of what game fans expect from a Call of Duty game. Now, Treyarch’s Blundell and Houston help take fans even deeper down the rabbit hole…

On his quest to secure an ancient artifact known as The Kronorium, Doctor Edward Richtofen enlists the help of The Tranzit Crew, a rag tag group of survivors last seen in the Black Ops II Zombies installment Buried. On a deeply unstable and fractured future Earth, Stuhlinger, Misty, Russman, and Marlton battle for survival against the undead horde, as they slowly uncover the truth behind Richtofen’s mysterious reappearance. TheCall of Duty: Zombies miniseries follows these characters’ perilous journey of discovery, filling in crucial pieces of the larger Zombies story.
​

Call of Duty: Zombies #1 (of 6) hits comic stands October 19, 2016.

Why You MUST Read SUPERMAN!

7/12/2016

 
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by Matman

There were a few things that HAD to happen with the DC Rebirth in order for me to completely buy in! The comics had to be good, the characters had to be likeable and Superman had to be good! I feel that DC's flagship character (yes even over Batman) needs to be the best book out there. I'm so happy to report that a few issues in... SUPERMAN is the best monthly comic on the stands today!

Here is why! The Superman on the Rebirth Earth is dead and showing up in his place is another Superman, complete with wife and child in tow. Here we have Superman trying to juggle a new planet and a new life with the responsibilities of being a father and husband. In the first issues we see how a mistake by young Jonathan has made Superman take his young son and work with him and his growing powers... a well as a giant squid monster.

Writer Peter Tomasi, penciller Patrick Gleason (who are listed as storytellers) and inker Mick Gray are a dream team who seem to work as one, with colorist John Kalisz and letterer Rob Leigh rounding out the cast. As long as this team stays together... this book will succeed.

Now if you don't like Superman being a dad or young Jon as a character than you may struggle with this book. But I think its those honest elements that give the book its charm and its power. If you want straight ahead punch-ups than ACTION COMICS will do the trick. So far that one is off to an amazing start, too.

is SUPERMAN the best comic out there? Three issues in (two regular and the REBIRTH one shot) and I'm ready to say YES! Thank you Peter, Patrick and Mick for making Superman... super again!  

Secret Identity Podcast Issue #736--Judge Dredd and Mockingbird

7/11/2016

 
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What’s New? 
Harvey Award nominees announced
Plastic City Comic Con--July 30th at Leominster Veterans Center
TerrifiCon--August 19-21 at Mohegan Sun

Comics: 
Detective Comics #935
Aquaman #1
Mockingbird #4
Captain America #2
Predator Vs. Judge Dredd Vs. Aliens
Superman #2

You can listen to the episode right here in the player above, or grab us on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening!

Marvel's CHAMPIONS Return This October

7/7/2016

 
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Press Release

The Marvel Universe is fractured. Heroes, who once stood together, now position themselves in opposition to one another. Idols of the Marvel Universe who once endured in the light are now shrouded within shades of gray, and the heroes of tomorrow are fed up! It’s time for a change. It’s time for a brighter tomorrow. Enter...the CHAMPIONS! They’re coming to you in Marvel’s CHAMPIONS #1 – a brand-new ongoing series launching this October as the flagship title of Marvel NOW!

Eisner Award winning writer Mark Waid and Eisner Award nominated artist Humberto Ramos join forces bring you a brand new super team for a new era. A teen team supreme that refuses to adhere to the antiquated ways of old. It’s time to be heroes again, and Ms. Marvel, Miles Morales, Nova, Viv Vision and the Totally Awesome Hulk are striking out on their own to make a new future. Not Avengers. Not Defenders. Champions!

“To their mind – the reputation of super heroes has taken a very public beating and they’re very intent in proving to the world that super heroes still have value and still have relevance,” says series writer Mark Waid, in an interview with Marvel.com.

It doesn’t take a Tony Stark or a Captain America to make a difference. All it takes is six young heroes and you can change the world – and they’re only the beginning! It all starts this October as Waid & Ramos bring you Marvel’sCHAMPIONS #1 – coming to comic shops and digital devices everywhere!

Mattie's Pull List!

7/6/2016

 
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by Matman

It is Wednesday... the day all comic fans get excited about because it's NEW COMIC DAY! So here are the books that I picked up today....

MICRONAUTS #3 - This book is amazing! Hard to live up to the original series that I love so much, but they certainly do!

DARTH VADER #22 - I'm glad this series is coming to an end because to be honest... it hasn't been that good for the past 10 or so issues. Story just doesn't catch me.

MARS ATTACKS #4 - When done right, the MARS ATTACKS franchise is a fun place. When done wrong it can be an epic fail. This series has been a lot of fun!

SUPERMAN #2 - Love the direction and the attention on Superman being a father. It is fun to love Superman again...

THREE STOOGES STOOGE-A-PALOOZA #1 - It's three dudes beating each other up... i've loved it since I was 7.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 - Cannot WAIT to read this one... but having Bryan Hitch on a monthly does nothing but cause me anxiety!

Kickstarter Alert: The F1rst Hero: Wednesday's Child

7/5/2016

 
by Brian LeTendre

We raved about Action lab's recent Actionverse event on Secret Identity, and one of the heroes that really stood out was ​Anthony Ruttgaizer's F1rst Hero, Jake Roth. Jake comes from a world where everyone who manifests superpowers goes insane--everyone but him.

Anthony is Kickstarting the third volume of F1rst Hero right now, and it's a great jumping on point for those that were introduced to the character in Actionverse. 
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Here's the synopsis:

In WEDNESDAY'S CHILD, Jake faces a new kind of threat: an 8-YEAR OLD GIRL with the extrahuman power to control minds but she is not acting alone.  She is taking orders from her cruel and greedy mother.  This unlikely criminal pair start using the little girl's powers to force people into carrying out a shocking spree of larceny and revenge across Philadelphia.  Jake, just back from his adventure in the ACTIONVERSE mini-series, must track down the duo, stop their assault on the city and, hopefully, save the young girl from her vicious, controlling mother.


The Kickstarter project is live now and will run through July 28th--you can check it out here. There's also a six-page preview of WEDNESDAY'S CHILD that you can feast your eyes on here.

Secret Identity Podcast Issue #735--Conan and Justice League: The New Frontier

7/4/2016

 
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What’s New? 
Diamond Announces Halloween Comic Fest
Stargate Trilogy could still happen

Comics: 
Star Wars: Han Solo #1
Conan: Slayer #1
Superman #1
Amazing Spider-Man #13

Getting Animated With Sarah:
Justice League: New Frontier

You can listen to the episode right here in the player above, or grab us on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening!

Happy Birthday, America!

7/4/2016

 
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