Fan-filmed video footage of Stryper‘s Sydney Show at Max Watts in Sydney (Aug. 18) can be watched below.
The band is touring without its guitarist Oz Fox, who was forced to stay home after collapsing onstage during a Las Vegas performance. Doctors who have been treating him have found two tumors in his head — one by his ear and the other in the back of his brain.
Oz‘s wife, Annie Lobért, wrote in a Facebook post that he “cannot drive, fly or work for three months because of the potential seizures.” Furthermore, Stryper has had to cancel its Japanese shows because Oz cannot perform due to his medical condition.
The band’s frontman, Michael Sweet, said in a Facebook post that he’s been friends with Oz since he was “almost 13 years old. We’ve been a ‘duo’ for almost our entire lives and I love him,” he wrote. “He’s family and a brother to me… We’re all waiting to hear good news and we’re all praying deeply for that.
“The important thing right now is Oz‘s health and well being,” Sweet added. “Please continue to pray for him at this time. Pray for Annie and his family as well.” [read more]
Setlist:
1. Yahweh
2. The Valley
3. Calling on You
4. Free
5. All for One
6. Revelation
7. In God We Trust
8. Sorry
9. Loving You
10. God Damn Evil
11. Lady
12. Always There for You
13. Soldiers Under Command
The band’s latest album “God Damn Evil” has been released on April 20 via Frontiers Music Srl. Produced by frontman Michael Sweet, it is Stryper‘s most powerful album to date,
“God Damn Evil” debuts at #1 on Billboard’s Christian Album Sales, #2 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums, #3 on Billboard’s Top Current Hard Music Albums, #5 on Billboard’s Top Independent Current Albums, #7 on Billboard’s Top Current Rock Albums, #12 on Billboard’s Top Current Physical Albums, #14 on Billboard’s Top Current Albums, #21 on Billboard’s Top Current Digital Albums and #77 on Billboard Top 200. In addition, “God Damn Evil” soared to #1 on the iTunes and Amazon Hard Rock charts immediately upon release.
The follow-up to 2015’s “Fallen” marks Stryper‘s first effort since the addition of former Firehouse bassist Perry Richardson. Perry joined the band as the replacement for Stryper‘s longtime bassist Tim Gaines, who was fired from the group last year.
Perry did not play bass on Stryper‘s new album due to scheduling constraints. The bass tracks on “God Damn Evil”were laid down by John O’Boyle, who played bass on Sweet‘s last two solo albums.
Our review of “God Damn Evil” can be found here.
Upcoming Shows:
September 7 — Rocktember Music Festival — Hinkley, MN
September 8 — The Arcada Theatre — St. Charles, IL
September 13 — House of Blues Orlando — Lake Buena Vista, FL
September 15 — “Rockin’ Vivo Fest” at Vivo Beach Club — Carolina, Puerto Rico
October 12 — The Vogue — Indianapolis, IN
October 13 — Delmar Hall — St Louis, MO
October 14 — Diamond Ballroom — Oklahoma City, OK
October 18 — Stampede — Aurora, CO
October 20 — LeatherHheads — Draper, UT
October 25 — The Marquee — Tempe, AZ
October 26 — The Rialto Theatre — Tucson, AZ
October 27 — The Club @ Cannery Casino Hotel — North Las Vegas, NV
October 31 — Whiskey A Go Go — West Hollywood, CA
November 2 — San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino — Highland, CA
November 3 — The Canyon Theater — Santa Clarita, CA
November 4 — Ace of Spades — Sacramento, CA
November 6 — El Corazon — Seattle, WA
November 11 — Virginia St Brewhouse — Reno, NV
November 14 — Pub Station Ballroom — Billings, MT
November 17 — Anthem @ Hard Rock Casino — Sioux City, IA
January 31 — Tupelo Music Hall — Derry, NH
February 1 — Wolf’s Den @ Mohegan Sun — Uncasville, CT
February 9 — Kawasaki CLUB CITTA — Tokyo, Japan — RESCHEDULED
February 10 — Kawasaki CLUB CITTA — Tokyo, Japan — RESCHEDULED
**More dates to be added!
Weblinks: Website / Facebook / Twitter
Video for ‘Yahweh’ & ‘The Valley’ (live)