Jimmy Kay and Alan Dixon recently spoke to Stryper's frontman Michael Sweet on Sept 4 2020. Topics in the chat include a rundown of the tracks on the new album The Devil Even Believes, (via Frontiers). Sweet's reaction to a controversial album review (link here) recently posted online and details about an up and coming in studio live album that the band will be releasing in the coming weeks.
Photo above by Pedro Blanco
Photo in video by Chad Barger
Watch interview here
Tell us about the new album
"We are really excited and you guys know me I get excited about every release. Sometimes I get jabbed a little bit for saying every new release is the best. I really 100% believe and feel in my bones that this is our best album and there are so many reasons why. It's not just because of the music or the production but because of the times we were recording it in and it's our first album with our new bass player. Everyone knows that Oz (Fox) has some health issues and we were all able to overcome. Just so many reasons why I feel that it is our very best. Then when I listen to it as a whole and the way it flows, I think it's got all the perfect qualities for what everyone expects. One person wants more 80's and they get it with the song 'Invitation only'. One person wants more heavy they get it with 'Blood from Above'. One person wants mid tempo they get it with 'Do Unto Others'. They want a ballad they get it with 'This I Pray'. We kind of put everything in there to please everyone and you never please everyone but this album is going to come the closest.
Tell us how you feel about a recent controversial album review on The Devil Even Believes by Dom Lawson (review here)
"I think it's incredibly unfair (review) and I think in 2020 it borders on being illegal, it really does. You see people out there on the streets fighting for their rights everyday in new ways, powerful ways and I am not for rioting and vandalism at all as everyone knows that. My point is people are out there really fighting for their rights and yet this guy takes a dump on us because of our beliefs? In 2020? And that is acceptable? And that's ok ? It's not ok. I read it and I just thought ok now dude you are not gonna wipe your boots on us you are obviously a hater of the band you are the last guy who should be reviewing a Stryper album. I just read it and I thought wow how unfair and how ridiculous. The reason why it upsets me is not so much because of the low rating but more so because it is a blatant attack on our faith. What's even comical is his review only fuels the fire in a good way. For him to just write a review just to be nasty to me that is just not a good reviewer. Regardless, it's not going to stop the army, it's not going to stop the forces. Stryper keeps doing what we do for almost 37 years, Dom Lawson is not going to stop that. He briefly mentions Satan in the article I forget in what context but obviously you look at his reviews he is into the real dark stuff and that is fine. Not a problem with that but at the same time we have a lot of Satanists and Atheists who are fans of the band and when I say a lot I mean a lot. I have been interviewed with leaders in the Satanic Church and they say things like I love Soldiers Under Command It's my favorite album of all time. And I'm like wow that is interesting but it's amazing. "
Tell us about the live studio recording that will be coming out soon
"I will tell you what we did during the pandemic, since we could not go out and play. We flew the guys out here and quarantined for a few weeks then we went into the studio and we recorded for On Demand which people will be able to rent and or buy new album in its entirety playing it from start to finish and it is killer. Live in the studio and it's killer. We had seven cameras and it will be coming out in the next 6 weeks. And then we did To Hell With The Devil at the same time from start to finish, every song. There will also be footage of us talking about the songs. We did that to offer people the live experience of this new album. When you listen to it , it sounds like you are listening to a record. So it's studio audio quality and video but it's live."
"Even The Devil Believes" track listing: 01. Blood From Above 02. Make Love Great Again 03. Let Him In 04. Do Unto Others 05. Even The Devil Believes 06. How To Fly 07. Divider 08. This I Pray 09. Invitation Only 10. For God & Rock 'N' Roll
Listen to the new album Even the Devil Believes, with the members of Stryper. The event will begin with the band talking about the album, what it means to them, and give insight behind the making of it. In between each song the band will comment about the song just played. After the album has played entirely, the band will again talk about the record and answer questions from the audience.
The event should last around 90 Minutes.
Friday, September 4, 2020 at 5pm Friday, September 4, 2020 at 7pm Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 12pm Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 7pm
All prices are in USD - All times are Eastern Standard Time Each ticket is good for use on ONE Computer, Tablet or Smartphone
The official lyric video for "Do unto Others", the new single from openly Christian hard rockers STRYPER. The song is taken from the band's forthcoming album, "Even The Devil Believes", which will be released today on September 4 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Watch here
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