Frontiers Records has announced the signing of iconic Christian rockers Stryper to a multi-album deal. The first CD to be made available the agreement will be a collection of re-recorded versions of the band’s classic songs, due in North America on March 26. Entitled Second Coming and produced by frontman Michael Sweet, the CD will contain a total of 16 cuts — two from The Yellow And Black Attack, six from Soldiers Under Command, six from To Hell With The Devil, as well as two new tracks, Bleeding From Inside Out and Blackened.
Stryper frontman Michael Sweet commented, “We’re really excited about this record. The re-recorded songs are sounding awesome…better than the originals in many ways! One word to describe the record? Heavier. We’ve hooked up with some great people – we’ve got new management, a great album, a great label. We just feel like everything is coming together, and hopefully some big things are to follow.” Sweet also produced the album.
Stryper formed in 1984, and after a sabbatical for much of the 1990’s, the group returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the band has sold upwards of 8 million records worldwide and is a Dove Award-winner and Grammy nominee. Stryper is the first band to have two songs in MTV’s Top 10 simultaneously.
Michael Sweet added: “Why did we re-record old songs? That’s a multiple-answer question.
“First, because we wanted to cut out the middle men and have a little more control over our own songs.
“Second, we wanted to ‘fix’ some things that have annoyed the ‘hell’ out of us for the past 30 years such as: no bass in the mix of ‘The Yellow And Black Attack’ or ‘Soldiers Under Command’, and no Tim [Gaines, bass] on the mix of ‘To Hell With The Devil’. The fact that I sound a little more like a man instead of a helium-induced kid at Disneyland. The sheer joy of still loving these songs and still being able to perform these songs (well, we’ll let the experts be the judge of that). And last but not certainly least? We did it just because we wanted to.
“So there you go, the mystery is over and the reasons have been revealed.
“Seriously, we’re really excited about this record. It’s one of the few re-records that I believe will stand against any of the originals if not surpass them.
“If you liked ‘The Covering’, you’ll love ‘Second Coming’!”
Track listing:
1. Loud N’ Clear
2. Loving You
3. Soldiers Under Command
4. Makes Me Wanna Sing
5. First Love
6. The Rock That Makes Me Roll
7. Reach Out
8. Surrender
9. To Hell With The Devil
10. Calling On You
11. Free
12. The Way
13. Sing Along Song
14. More Than A Man
15. Bleeding From Inside Out [new track]
16. Blackened [new track]
Michael Sweet Solo:
January 19, 2013 Ramona, CA at Ramona Main Stage [more info]
Stryper Tour Dates:
January 26, 2013 – House of Blues, Anaheim, CA NEW
February 16, 2013 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Teatro Flores NEW
February 17, 2013 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Carioca Club NEW
March 16 – 20, 2013 – Monsters Of Rock Cruise , FT Lauderdale
Band members:
Michael Sweet- Lead Vocals / Guitar
Robert Sweet- Drums
Oz Fox- Guitar / Vocals
Timothy Gaines- Bass/Vocals
Weblinks: Website / Facebook / Twitter
Video: Stryper – Sing Along Song [Live In Indonesia At Java Rockin’ Land]
Related articles:
‘Michael Sweet’ [Stryper] To Tour Israel Jan. 2013 [March 2012]
‘Michael Sweet’ Talks About Upcoming Solo Album, Autobiography [Sept. 2012]
‘Robert Sweet’ Interviewed By His Mother ‘Janice Sweet’, Video [Oct. 2012]
‘Stryper’ ‘South American’ 2013 Tour Dates Announced [Nov. 2012]
‘Michael Sweet’ Releases Solo Track As Tribute To Those Affected By Hurricane Sandy [Nov. 2012]
‘Michael Sweet’ Joins Ex ‘Dokken’ Members On Tour In 2013‘ [Dec. 2012]
‘Stryper’ ‘Upcoming Anaheim Show To Feature Special Guests ‘Todd La Torre’ & ‘Jeff Scott Soto’ [Dec. 2012]
‘Stryper’ To Release ‘Second Coming’ On March 22 [Jan. 2013]
‘Michael Sweet’ Says People Who Liked ‘The Covering’ Will Love ‘Second Coming’ [Jan. 2013]