Review SWEET & LYNCH ‘Heart & Sacrifice’

Sweet & Lynch is the cooperation of Stryper guitarist/singer Michael Sweet and legendary guitarist George Lynch. ‘Only to Rise’ was the debut of the duo and has been released in 2015. The sophomore record ‘Unified’ followed an both longplayers made it into the Billboard 200. These days the guys return with album number three and it is called ‘Heart & Sacrifice’. The new record is a bit darker and a bit heavier, which fits Sweet & Lynch very well.

The lightning title track got the pole position on the album. With speed and passion, the song blasts out of the speakers. Melodic metal with a descent level of heaviness, that is what you get from the duo. A start into an album can’t be much more energizing. George Lynch demonstrates why he is a real fretboard artist. After having released with The Banishment an rather average album, the master of the six strings demonstrates his skills, giving ‘Heart & Sacrifice’ the needed heaviness.

Sweet and Lynch have a great sense for exquisite melodies. The swinging ‘Miracle’ is an example for the ease the two guys approach the music on this album. They obviously have fun recording this longplayer.

The soulful aspect of Sweet & Lynch has a name too. ‘Leave it all Behind’ lasers in on the calmer tones before the rocking riff of ‘You’ll Never Be Alone’ kicks in. The latter is another metal driven tune with a strong beat, being the base and catchy chorus acting as an ear pleaser.

Metal is what you get with the chorus of the heavy pounding ‘Will it Ever Change’. The verse is calmer, and the alternation works pretty well. The roaring ‘It’s Time to Believe’ is a smashing anthem while ‘It Rains Again’ is more complex and it takes a while before the track unveils details. ‘World Full of Lies’ makes it again easier for the listener since the powerful half ballad is much more approachable.

Sweet & Lynch are veterans in rock and metal. The track record of the guys impresses and what the duo offers on the newest strike is excellently crafted melodic metal with some detours into the world of rock. ‘Heart & Sacrifice’ is an entertaining album that features great stuff and fans of melodic metal should consider a tour to the record stores on May 19^th, 2023