STRYPER Is ‘Bringing Back The Power Ballad’ On Upcoming Album

“This is a small piece of a new @Stryper ballad called ‘Near’. There’s no syrup on top, only powered (or power) sugar;-)

“Hear the whole song on the new STRYPER album coming this fall. For now, here’s a little taste.

STRYPER‘s follow-up to 2020’s “Even The Devil Believes” LP was once again recorded at SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts.

This past January, Sweet said that he was “more concerned with the state of our world” as he continued to work on lyrics for the band’s upcoming 14th studio LP. At the time, he wrote on his social media: “I’ll be honest. I’m a little nervous about the new album. Not the music itself but more so the process.

“I’m also at that place where I’m more concerned with the state of our world. I’m concerned about what I see on the news. Is it just me or does it feel as though we’re in a much darker place these days? Our country, our world. Maybe I’m wrong but it feels as though darkness is overtaking the light. People seem much colder and more concerned about themselves than they do others. There are some good people out there but times are definitely changing sadly.

“So, as I’ve been facedown I’ve been writing lyrics and although there are some straight up songs about love, there’s more of a take on the state of this world with lyrics that definitely address that,” Sweet added. “Maybe, just maybe this album will shed a little light into and onto some dark areas. That’s always my goal and always my desire. To help, not to hurt. To heal, not to damage. This is my intention with every song I write.

“I hope to see you all at a STRYPER show in the very near future. It’s been way too long…….

“May God Bless you all”.

“It’s always a little strange talking about your own music but I can say that I’m really excited about the direction of this album! I know you will be too. We’ve tuned down to D so the tuning makes it all sound a little fatter and heavier. There are a few songs with the low E string dropped down another step (C) so those songs have a bit more meat and potato’s as well;-) There are a few ballads but they’re not your typical ‘piano’ or ‘acoustic’ ballads. They’re heavy as well and definitely guitar driven.

“Even though there have been obstacles along the way, this album really has shaped up to be an amazing piece of work,” Sweet added. “We’re a long way out but man, I can’t wait for all of you to hear this!!”

STRYPER and Frontiers originally joined forces in 2013 for the release of “Second Coming”, an album comprised of new recordings of 14 songs from the band’s early years, as well as two brand new songs. What followed has been a string of critically and commercially successful studio albums, including “No More Hell To Pay” (2013),“Fallen” (2015),“God Damn Evil” (2018) and “Even The Devil Believes” (2020). Additionally, a live album and long-form video, “Live At The Whisky” (2014) was made available. Every one of the albums released on Frontiers in the past nine years has successfully charted on the Billboard 200 chart and topped the Hot 100, Rock, Hard Rock, Current and Christian Music album charts.

STRYPER is one of the most well-known metal bands to emerge from the fertile ’80s metal renaissance over three decades ago. The band first landed on the global scene in 1984 and and is responsible for such classic ’80s metal albums as “Soldiers Under Command”, “To Hell With The Devil” and “In God We Trust” and hit singles/videos such as “Calling On You”, “Free” and “Honestly”. To date, the band has sold upwards of eight million records worldwide and is a Dove Award winner and Grammy nominee. STRYPER was also the first band to have two songs in MTV‘s “Top 10 Video Countdown” simultaneously.

Michael is joined in STRYPER by his brother Robert Sweet (drums),Oz Fox (guitars) and Perry Richardson (bass).

Source:  www.blabbermouth.net