Legendary hard rockers Stryper will film two new videos and an EPK [Electronic Press Kit] in August in support of their forthcoming studio album, “No More Hell To Pay”, which is due this fall via Frontiers Records. The band’s last three videos were shot and released in 1990 and 1991 when the band was promoting its “Against The Law” LP.
“No More Hell To Pay” will include Stryper‘s cover version of “Jesus Is Just Alright”, a gospel song written by Arthur Reid Reynolds. Mainman Michael Sweet said, “It rivals our cover of Earth Wind & Fire‘s ‘Shining Star’ — riffs!”
“Jesus Is Just Alright” was first recorded by Reynolds‘ own group, The Art Reynolds Singers, on their 1966 album, “Tellin’ It Like It Is”. It was later covered by The Byrds, Dc Talk and The Doobie Brothers.
Regarding the musical direction of Stryper‘s new material, the band’s guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet told Screamer Magazine: “The song ‘God’, which is on ‘The Covering’; if you took that song along with ‘Bleeding From Inside Out’ and ‘Blackened’ [from ‘Second Coming’],
and you put it on the same album, that’s a pretty good indication of where we are going and where we are at right now. But at the same time this album is all its own.”
He added: “Every song has a hooky guitar riff. Everything is in minor keys, so it’s a little darker sounding and a little tougher. It’s definitely our heaviest record and I think people will be pleasantly surprised.
“The people who do like the poppier side of Stryper, like ‘Calling On You’ and ‘Holding On’, this record isn’t going to really give them that. There are a lot of vocal hooks and melodies going on, but it’s a little darker, and a little edgier. To reference, there is less songs like ‘Calling On You’ and more songs like ‘To Hell With The Devil’. It’s more in that vein than the poppier vein.”
Michael Sweet previously stated that the new Stryper CD would contain “the best [songs] of our career [with] no pop or fluff musically or lyrically.” He added: “I’m counting the days for its arrival and when it does arrive, it will be like a train speeding down the tracks — fast, heavy, unstoppable and loud! I get excited for every record, but I’ve never quite been this excited before. This record will be one for the books, and in my humble opinion, our best yet bar none. No pride here, just confidence that it’s going to be great — really, really great.”
Stryper 2013 Tour Dates
07/12/13 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom w/ Mike Tramp of White Lion**
07/13/13 New York, NY B.B. Kings w/ Mike Tramp of White Lion**
07/14/13 Poughkeepsie, NY Chance Theater**
07/17/13 Luzerne, PA Brews Brothers West Concert Hall
07/19/13 Toronto, ON The Rockpile**
07/20/13 Chesterfield, MI Diesel Concert Lounge**
08/09/13 Bolingbrook, IL Tailgaters**
08/10/13 West Allis, WI Wisconsin State Fair w/ Vince Neil**
08/30/13 Wendover, NV Peppermill Concert Hall w/ Great White**
Michael Sweet and Oz Fox (special acoustic set)
07/16/13 Teaneck, NJ Mexicali Live**
08/14/13 Hollywood, CA Whiskey A Go Go w/ Mike Tramp of White Lion**
08/15/13 San Juan Capistrano, CA Coach House w/ Mike Tramp of White Lion**
08/16/13 Las Vegas, NV Club Madrid @ Sunset Station w/ Mike Tramp of White Lion**
10/20/13 North Platte, NE Sculley’s Shooters/Skull Fest**
** On Sale Now!
Band members:
Michael Sweet- Lead Vocals / Guitar
Robert Sweet- Drums
Oz Fox- Guitar / Vocals
Timothy Gaines- Bass/Vocals
Weblinks: Website / Facebook / Twitter
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‘Michael Sweet’ Says “I’m Almost 50 Yet I Feel Like I’ve Lived The Life Of A Man Who Is Almost 90″ [Feb. 2013]
‘Dave Mustaine’ Says ‘Michael Sweet’ And I ‘Believe In The Same Jesus’ [Feb. 2013]
‘Stryper’s’ ‘Michael Sweet’ Says Next Studio Album Will Be ‘Really, Really Great’ [March 2013]
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Stryper – Second Coming [Album review]
‘Stryper’ First-Week Sales Revealed For ‘Second Coming’, New Tour Dates Announced [April 2013]
‘Michael Sweet’ On Re-Recording Classic Songs: ‘We Have, In Many Ways, Outdone The Originals’ [April 2013]
‘Stryper’ Recording Cover Version Of ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’ For Next Album, New Tour Dates Announced [April 2013]
‘Stryper’ New Album Title Revealed ‘No More Hell To Pay’, New Tour Dates Announced [May 2013]
‘Michael Sweet’ Comments On ‘Kanye West’s’ ‘I Am A God’ [June 2013]