As previously reported, guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet of legendary metallers Stryper is “in writing mode” for the band’s next studio album for a 2015 release via Frontiers. Sweet just reported the following:
‘Here’s The Latest! I’ve been working hard for the past 4 days and so far 8 songs are ready to go! Aside from a few tweaks here and there over the next week, I’m loving the direction!!! I dropped the low E down to D on three songs and overall this album will be the heaviest yet. There is a ballad that’s a straight ahead “rock” ballad and I may try for another as well but I have to tell you, I’m super excited about the style and I feel in my gut that this album will not only rival “NMHTP” but quite possibly surpass it. It would be very cool to make the “the best album” of our career (when many people have already stated that “NMHTP” was and is). I believe we’re easily on that path right now.’
‘I’m taking two days off (Lisa and I will be celebrating our 5th year anniversary – 1/8) and then I’ll dive back in to finish everything up. Oz submitted a few riff ideas (I already completed one as a song) and I’ll be getting to the other 2 soon and I have 2 other very cool ideas. Add to that one cover (can’t say what yet) and bam – we have a 12 song album with one bonus track.’
‘You may be thinking “man that was just too quick” and “I hope the songs are good” – trust me I wouldn’t let it slide if it wasn’t. These songs are going to kick the devils A-double-S and then some and I can’t wait to hear it all take form.’
‘God Bless and Rock On!’
Michael
***
“No More Hell To Pay” stormed the charts in November 2013 debuting at #3 on the Current Hard Music Albums and Top Hard Music Albums charts, #6 on the Top Current Rock Album charts, #33 on the Billboard Top 200 Current Albums and #35 on the Billboard Top 200 selling over 9500 copies the first week. Stryper also regained their dominance on the Christian charts landing at #2 on the Contemporary Christian Albums and #3 on the Billboard Top Christian/Gospel Albums. “No More Hell To Pay” also reached #1 on the iTunes Top Rock Album Charts and #8 on the iTunes Top Album Charts when it was released on November 5th, 2013.
Stryper is one of the top Christian rock bands of all time. Comprised of the original line-up, Stryper has been rocking since 1984, and is responsible for such ’80s metal classic albums as “Soldiers Under Command”, “To Hell With The Devil” and “In God We Trust”. In fact, Stryper is the first band to ever have two songs in MTV’s Top 10 simultaneously with their hits ’Free’ and ‘Honestly.’ After a sabbatical for much of the 1990′s, Stryper returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the Dove Award-winning and Grammy nominated band has sold upwards of 10 million records worldwide.
“No More Hell To Pay” was released on November 1st 2013 in Europe and November 5th 2013 in North America via Frontiers Records. The effort was made available in two formats — standard CD and deluxe digipak featuring exclusive video content. Produced by Stryper guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet himself, the set features some of Stryper‘s strongest and heaviest material ever.
To read our review for “No More Hell To Pay” click here.
Stryper released a concert CD/DVD combination called “Live At The Whisky” In September 2014 via Frontiers. The live recording was captured at a sold-out show November 2013 at the legendary Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California. The 16-track collection documents the band’s first show in support of its latest, critically acclaimed release, “No More Hell To Pay”.
Check our review for “Live At The Whiskey” here.
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