Stryper frontman Michael Sweet‘s autobiography, Honestly, went to editing last week. There is a 12-song solo record to go hand in hand with the release of the book.

Writing on the band’s Facebook page, Sweet states: “Writing and finishing my autobiography has gone WAY beyond my expectations, good and bad. It’s been much more difficult than I could ever imagine yet it’s been somewhat therapeutic being able to talk about my life and the past 30+ years of all things Stryper. I get into everything and share things that may surprise you. I talk about the disfunction in this band, the pain and heartache of being so close to each other that we sometimes hurt each other the most, the ups and downs from our highest point (1987-1988) to our lowest point (1991-1992) and why we were driven to bankruptcy and how we climbed our way back from complete loss and despair. I share my personal pain from considering to give up music altogether to the day I broke the news to the guys that I would be leaving the band and why. From that day forward, I had everything a man could ask for and then, in what seemed like an instant, it was all taken away.

“I’m almost 50 yet I feel like I’ve lived the life of a man who is almost 90. I look back on everything and all I can say is thank you God for allowing me to serve you and for giving me my gift, my life!”.

‘Honestly’ will be available soon and I can say from the bottom of my heart, it is brutally honest and my hopes and prayers are that it touches you in some way.”

Michael‘s new solo album will be issued via Big3 Records. Guest musicians set to appear on the CD include Chickenfoot drummer Kenny Aronoff, Fozzy singer Chris Jericho, Whitesnake guitarist Doug Aldrich; Tony Harnell of TNT, and Michael‘s brother Robert Sweet and Stryper‘s Timothy Gaines.

Regarding Harnell‘s appearance on the CD, Sweet previously stated, “I think Tony is truly one of the most underrated singers of all time. He’s always been one of my favorites and is an incredibly nice, humble guy to boot. I’ve always wanted to work with Tony and I knew this would be the perfect song and opportunity to do so. ‘Taking On The World Tonight’ is very heavy with a combination of old-school riffs and solos yet it’s got a very modern, relevant sound as well. It’s the best of both worlds!”

Writing on Facebook, Sweet stated about reaction to his previously released solo album samples, “To the handful of people who think it sounds like Stryper — well, earth to moon, I am the singer/guitarist/songwriter for Stryper so there is the remote chance that their will be similarities right? Maybe you can’t comprehend that but I think most people here do.

“For those of you who wonder why it isn’t a Stryper record, the truth is that I had the opportunity to make a record and I took it. It’s been almost 12 years since my last solo release and I felt it was long overdue. There is a lot of down time with Stryper and life goes on, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do … We all have done solo projects over the years and it’s a great way for all of us to be artistic and express our musical ideas individually.”

Sweet‘s last solo album, Touched, was released in December 2007 exclusively through Michael‘s official web site, MichaelSweet.com. The CD, which included reworked versions of four Stryper songs, was not made available in stores.

Stryper will release a collection of re-recorded versions of the band’s classic songs on March 22 via Frontiers Records. Entitled Second Coming,

Stryper will enter the studio on April 2 to begin recording their next all-new original album for a late 2013 release. The band’s frontman, Michael Sweet, states: “[I] started arranging songs for the next Stryper record today. I’ve got a phone filled with 50-plus riffs and I’m diving in! Stryper starts recording on April 2 and wrap the record on June 1. It will be released later in the year, 2013! We’re busier now than in 1986.

Stryper Tour Dates:

March 16 – 20, 2013  – Monsters Of Rock Cruise , FT Lauderdale

Aug. 10, 2013 –  West Allis, WI Wisconsin State Fair w/ Vince Neil NEW

more dates tba.

Band members:
Michael Sweet- Lead Vocals / Guitar
Robert Sweet- Drums
Oz Fox- Guitar / Vocals
Timothy Gaines- Bass/Vocals

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