Stryper "The Covering"

[Don]

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

Following the success of their 25th-anniversary world tour earlier this year, Christian hard rockers STRYPER headed into the studio to work on their new album, "The Covering", tentatively scheduled for release October 13 via Big3 Records.

"The Covering", produced by frontman Michael Sweet, will be 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 ZEPPELIN, KANSAS and many others. A cover of BLACK SABBATH's classic track "Heaven and Hell" will be the first single, with an expected iTunes release in advance of the album. "The Covering" will also include "God", a new original recording from STRYPER.
"STRYPER recorded 'The Yellow and Black Attack' (Enigma Records) back in 1983, and it was released the following year," says Sweet. "Twenty six years have passed and after seven studio releases and multiple compilation and live projects, we decided to show our fans where our roots lie musically.

"'The Covering' consists of particular songs and groups that molded and shaped us and made us who we are today."

One of the highlights for STRYPER fans is that "The Covering" is the first studio album in nearly two decades on which all four original members, plus longtime keyboardist Charles Foley, have recorded together.

"This record includes the original lineup," explains Michael.

"Tim [Gaines, bass], Robert [Sweet, drums], Oz [Fox, guitar] and I haven't recorded a full-length project together since 1990's 'Against the Law' (Enigma Records), so this is truly history in the making. We also had what was probably the best time we've ever had recording a record together and I believe that this comes through in the energy and the spirit of each track.

"We're all extremely excited about this record and more importantly, we're all extremely confident about the future of STRYPER and the four of us making music together for years to come."

"The Covering" track listing:

01. SWEET - "Set Me Free"
02. SCORPIONS - "Blackout"
03. BLACK SABBATH - "Heaven and Hell"
04. UFO - "Lights Out"
05. KANSAS - "Carry On Wayward Son"
06. DEEP PURPLE - "Highway Star"
07. KISS - "Shout It Out Loud"
08. OZZY OSBOURNE - "Over The Mountain"
09. IRON MAIDEN - "The Trooper"
10. JUDAS PRIEST - "Breaking The Law"
11. VAN HALEN - "On Fire"
12. LED ZEPPELIN - "Immigrant Song"
13. God

[Deb]

I'll buy it. Curious to hear some of those. Always loved M Sweet's voice, easily in my top 10 vocalists.

Just recently bought their dvd from Puerto Rico from NEH Records on a whim when I ordered something else.........it's a great show! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Upy-1qe ... re=related

[Frontiers65]

I'll buy it. Curious to hear some of those. Always loved M Sweet's voice, easily in my top 10 vocalists.

Just recently bought their dvd from Puerto Rico from NEH Records on a whim when I ordered something else.........it's a great show! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Upy-1qe ... re=related

I so agree. He is so underrated. Love his voice!

[Deb]

I'll buy it. Curious to hear some of those. Always loved M Sweet's voice, easily in my top 10 vocalists.

Just recently bought their dvd from Puerto Rico from NEH Records on a whim when I ordered something else.........it's a great show! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Upy-1qe ... re=related

I so agree. He is so underrated. Love his voice!

LOL, my top 10 list is chock full of "GREAT, underrated" vocalists. Not one of my favorite Stryper songs, but I looove this performance of it.........Honestly (from Michael's first solo shows) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zsbyl0uXV0

[conversationpc]

Please, not ANOTHER covers album. Most of them don't turn out too well and it just seems to me like something most bands do when they're out of real ideas.

[Rip Rokken]

Please, not ANOTHER covers album. Most of them don't turn out too well and it just seems to me like something most bands do when they're out of real ideas.

Well, I've heard some fans mention they'd like to see a Stryper album where Michael gave up some control and didn't write all the songs. This must be their answer to that.

[marco17]

I like Stryper and Michael a lot. I heard some snipits from the album on their site, and I wasn't all that impressed...unfortunately. I know you can't judge the whole on those short samples, but.... I am sure this is to fill the space between another studio album, not to mention Michael's mentioned this just wanted to do something for fun.

[Glenn]

Please, not ANOTHER covers album. Most of them don't turn out too well and it just seems to me like something most bands do when they're out of real ideas.

Agreed...But I have heard the samples and some of what I heard really are great.


That Styx covers album from a few years ago made me wanna eat glass. Awful.

[Pelata]

Michael Sweet (along w/ Geoff Tate) made me want to be a singer...I've heard the clips of all these songs and they rock!! I'm not a fan of the last couple of Stryper albums, but this is worth getting!

[AlteredDNA]

Set Me Free - Sweet
Blackout From - The Scorpions
Heaven and Hell - Black Sabbath
Carry On My Wayward Son - Kansas
The Trooper - Iron Maiden
On Fire - Van Halen

[Rip Rokken]

I kept thinking I'd seen a thread on this where it wasn't well received, but can't find it. Oh, well... the MP3 version went on sale for $5 this month on Amazon MP3, so I finally snagged a copy. I figured like Pascal wagered... better to be safe and buy it, than to pass it up and end up frying in Hell.

All I have to say is, DAMN!!! Way more than I expected, track for track, with excellent production and screams galore! Cranked it UP while I was getting ready for work yesterday, and love it. And the last song "God" (the original track)... GOOD GOD!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3aHXACjX7I