Christian rockers Stryper will enter the studio in March to begin work on their next all-new original album for a late 2013 release.
In a recent interview with Guitar World, Michael Sweet stated about the band’s plans for the next studio album, “We’re going into this new record with the mentality and thinking of making it like a ‘To Hell With The Devil 2′. That’s not to say it will actually sound like that album, but we really want it to be as great as ‘To Hell With The Devil’, which was our biggest album. We want people to put on this record and go; ‘Whoa! Wow! This is as good as or better than ‘To Hell With The Devil’!’ We want the new album to be a powerhouse and we’re going to do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
Frontiers Records recently announces the signing of iconic 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‘s covers album, The Covering, sold around 4,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 175 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band’s previous CD, 2009′s Murder By Pride, opened with 5,900 units to land at No. 73. Produced by frontman Michael Sweet, The Covering is unlike any previous Stryper recording in that it’s a collection of cover songs from bands that inspired them and helped to shape their sound and musical identity, including hits from Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppel, Kansas and many others. The Covering will also include God, a new original recording from Stryper. [Listen below].
Stryper‘s Live In Indonesia At Java Rockin’ Land DVD was released in October 2012 via MVD Visual. The set was recorded in front of an enthusiastic crowd in 2010.
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 – God
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]
‘Stryper’ Announce New Multi-Album Deal With ‘Frontiers Records’ [Jan. 2013]