Tag: Stryper
0 STRYPER joins Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records is honoured to welcome to its roster, the legendary Christian hard rockers STRYPER with the European release of the band’s brand new album “Murder By Pride“, on August 28th 2009.
Formed in 1983, Stryper are pioneers in the mainstream popularization of Christian hard rock and metal music, with overall sales in excess of 8 million records and one Platinum and two Gold records received for the albums “To Hell with the Devil” and “In God We Trust“. The band released five studio albums before disbanding in February 1992. Singer Michael Sweet pursued a solo career, while the other members have kept on working together, until Stryper came back in the original line up during 2005, releasing the acclaimed new album entitled “Reborn”.
In the past few years singer Michael 
Sweet started to cooperate with Boston and the result of this is a stunning recording of the classic song “Peace of Mind” on the brand new album “Murder By Pride“, which sees none other than Tom Scholz guesting on guitar.
“After years of speaking to fans and hearing comments like ‘more guitars,’ ‘more solos’ and ‘more screams’“, says Michael Sweet “I decided to keep those comments in mind as I wrote each song. It was important to me to try to get back to that early sound of STRYPER yet at the same time, to remain relevant today. It’s certainly not an easy thing to do but as I listen to ‘Murder By Pride’, I think that was accomplished“.
“I got the idea of the title ‘Murder By Pride’ from seeing pride consume dreams, goals and many times, lives” continues Sweet “We all deal with pride and it can be crippling, so I wanted to write a lyric and a theme that would be a constant reminder of that. This record has been in the works for a long, long time and I can only hope that it was worth the wait!”
“Murder By Pride” European track listing includes the following tracks:
01. Eclipse Of The Son
02. 4 Leaf Clover
03. Peace Of Mind
04. Alive
05. The Plan
06. Murder By Pride
07. I Believe
08. Run In You
09. Love Is Why
10. Mercy Over Blame
11. Everything
12. My Love (I’ll Always Show)
13. My Love, My Life, My Flame (Exclusive Bonus Track for Europe)
Streaming of some of the songs can be now heard on www.myspace.com/stryper
Stryper have also already confirmed some live appearances in Europe in early 2010, which will be followed by more dates which are currently being worked out. Stryper now are: Michael Sweet (vocals, guitar), Oz Fox (lead guitar), Tracy Ferrie (baass guitar) and Robert Sweet (drums).
0 Rocklahoma Announces Stryper, Thin Lizzy, Skid Row, Warrant And Night Ranger
ROCKLAHOMA ANNOUNCES STRYPER, THIN LIZZY, SKID ROW, WARRANT AND NIGHT RANGER
Rocklahoma, the premier eighties rock festival in the United States announced additional bands to its third annual event.
Rocklahoma held in Pryor, Oklahoma and called by many throughout the world as the “Woodstock of Eighties Rock Music” has announced additional bands for the main stage for the four days. Added to the history making festival includes Stryper headlining Friday Night along with fan favorites Night Ranger and Warrant. Added to Saturday, is the legendary Thin Lizzy. Sunday Night’s addition includes eighties favorite Skid Row.
Stryper featuring three original members, lead vocalist Michael Sweet, drummer Robert Sweet and guitarist Oz Fox, along with bassist Tracy Ferrie.
Michael Sweet of Stryper had this to say, “Rocklahoma is an event that I’ve heard about from peers and friends and they have always said that Stryper would be a perfect fit for this festival. Oklahoma holds a special place in my heart since my family lived in Moore, Oklahoma. I have a lot of family in Oklahoma. We’re excited to finally be able to perform at Rocklahoma and look forward to an amazing night!”
Recently added to Saturday’s lineup at Rocklahoma is Thin Lizzy, a seventies favorite whose hits went well into the eighties and include “Jail Break” and “The Boys are Back in Town.” Vocalist John Sykes “We have heard a lot about Rocklahoma and are really excited to be playing this year’s festival. The set will be jam packed with Lizzy Classics, so see you there!”
The lineup on each of the three days is as follows:
Thursday: Anthrax, Saxon, Overkill, Metal Church and Leatherwolf.
Friday: Stryper, Night Ranger, Warrant, Danger Danger, Helix and Hurricane Alice
Saturday: Thin Lizzy, KIX, KEEL, Gypsy Pistoleros, plus two to be announced.
Sunday: Twisted Sister, Skid Row, Great White, Nelson, Bonfire and Vixen
Rocklahoma features attendance from all over the world, already selling tickets throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South America and throughout North America including every state in the United States!
The Third Annual Rocklahoma will have over ninety bands on four stages, including favorites from previous Rocklahoma festivals, Beautiful Creatures, LA Guns featuring Tracii Gun, Britney Fox, Bang Tango, Lillian Axe and Faster Pussycat.
Both Playboy and Rolling Stone in 2008 called Rocklahoma one of the top festivals that should not be missed.
Catch The Fever Festival Grounds is located four miles north of Pryor, Oklahoma and has 6,200 assigned and numbered seats, as well as general admission on the lawn for over 50,000 people. The grounds also feature over 4,000 campsites, on-site parking, bathroom facilities and a convenience store. Rocklahoma also has a Picture Alley that allows anyone in attendance to approach the stage during any performance and take photographs of a favorite artist at close range.
Rocklahoma offers a one-day and four-day general admission passes, along with V.I.P. Passes that includes all the food and drink, including Free Miller Lite for all four days. Rocklahoma offers a layaway program on all ticket plans that enables fans to reserve their ticket at the current price.
The public can also order tickets online at http://www.feverfest.com, charge by phone at 1-866-310-2288, or any of the 3,200 O’Reilly Auto Part Stores across the United States
3 STRYPER TO EMBARK ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Stryper is gearing up to tour the United States starting in September of 2009, hitting approximately 50 cities across America. This will be followed by International tour dates in January and February of 2010.
25 years ago (1984) Stryper broke on to the scene with their debut EP Yellow and Black Attack and have since gone on to sell 8 million records worldwide and tour the world spreading an inspirational message through their branded sound of rock songs, heavy guitars, and pristine harmony vocals.
The 25th Anniversary Tour will be a 2 set show. The first set will be new Stryper material and include bassist Tracy Ferrie, along with original members Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, and Oz Fox. The second set will be classic Stryper hits and will be all 4 original members, including original bassist Tim Gaines. Michael Sweet Jr’s band will be the opening band on the tour.
2009 also marks the release of Stryper’s newest studio album Murder by Pride on Big3 Records. In May, fans can get sneak previews of the album, downloading select individual songs on iTunes and other on-line internet download stores.
All confirmed Stryper tour dates will be announced at Stryper.com and MichaelSweet.com
1 Michael Sweet Show Postponed
February 13, Pittsfield MA show postponed: The Michael Sweet show scheduled for February 13 at Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom in Pittsfield, MA will be postponed until further notice. As many of our friends and fans know, Kyle Sweet (Michael’s wife) has been battling cancer for some time now and after recent developments, and with much prayer and consideration, we believe it to be in the best interest of all for Michael to spend time with, and caring for, his wife. Tickets already purchased will be honored at the rescheduled date. Stay tuned to MichaelSweet.com for an announcement of the rescheduled date. For more information or questions email promoter, Matthew Sposato at sposie@thexfactorinc.org
2 Sin Dizzy To Be Reissued
SIN DIZZY’s self-produced debut album, which originally came out on October 10, 1998, will be reissued on November 28 via Girder Records.
Formed in May 1994 by STRYPER guitarist Oz Fox and ex-STRYPER bassist Tim Gaines, SIN DIZZY’s LP sold well among the Christian metal fans, especially STRYPER devotees. However, only limited copies of the debut were ever made and sold. Now more than 10 years later, “He’s Not Dead” has arrived. Digitally remastered and repackaged in this very special limited, second edition, this new re-release comes complete with new enhanced artwork, liner notes, historical band photos and more.
“The only way to understand SIN DIZZY music is to experience it,” Oz Fox stated.
The band played several festivals in the United States, including a summer rock festival in Puerto Rico where STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet joined SIN DIZZY
on stage in front of 11,000 and performed several STRYPER hit songs.
“He’s Not Dead” track listing:
01. He’s Not Dead
02. I Gave it all to Him
03. Psalm 23
04. Enter Me
05. Sacred Blood
06. Back In Time
07. Rise Above
08. Long Way to Heaven
09. When the Son Comes Back
10. Hebrew Kings
Courtesy of Blabbermouth.net
6 BOSTON Kicks Off Summer Tour
The legendary band BOSTON will headline the outdoor festival at Marina Park on Friday, June 6 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, at one of the Canadian stops of the Great Race 2008. The ‘round-the-globe motor sports event will be making a pit stop in Thunder Bay as a part of its centennial anniversary. The show kicks off a summer of stadium, concert and festival dates that will span the United States and Canada.
BOSTON will be bringing two new recruits on tour this year. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Sweet, veteran Stryper frontman will both sing and trade riffs with Gary and Tom on guitar. Unexpected phenomenon Tommy DeCarlo, the fan that posted his BOSTON covers on his myspace.com page and ended up on stage, will also be belting out the classics that skyrocketed the band to worldwide fame.
Many remember where they were when they first heard “More Than a Feeling” or “Hitch a Ride” on the airwaves back in 1976. BOSTON’s self-titled first album has sold over 17 million copies to date, and was the highest selling debut of all time. It remains a rock classic, and has seen a resurgence in sales after it was remastered by Scholz, along with their second album, “Don’t Look Back,” in 2006. “Amanda,” off 1986’s Third Stage, shot to the top of the charts and held a record-breaking stay at #1, in spite of being the only hit single that year not accompanied by a TV video.
With over 30 million albums sold worldwide, hits like “Peace of Mind,” “Smokin’,” and “Rock and Roll Band” are still as ubiquitous on rock and roll radio as they were when they were new. Coinciding with the summer tour is a fully re- mastered Greatest Hits CD (Sony Legacy.) Lead-off singles from all five BOSTON albums will be included, as well as new photos from throughout the years and liner notes written by Tom Scholz.
BOSTON will be performing many of their classics, including some fan favorites that have not been on the set lists for many years. Check back for more confirmed shows in your area and read the biographies of Michael and Tommy on the Musicians Page of the main site. We’ll see you this summer!
Date City Venue
June 6 2008 Thunder Bay, Ont Marina Park
June 13 2008 Hinckley, MN Grand Casino
June 15 2008 Detroit, MI DTE Amphitheater
June 19 2008 Baton Rouge, LA River Place
June 20 2008 Kinder, LA Grand Casino Coushatta
June 21 2008 San Antonio, TX Verizon Amphitheater
June 22 2008 Houston, TX Woodlands
June 24 2008 Grand Prairie, TX Nokia Live Theater
June 25 2008 Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheatre
June 27 2008 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theater
June 28 2008 Las Vegas, NV Thomas and Mack
June 29 2008 Tucson, AZ Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
July 1 2008 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheater
July 3 2008 Del Mar, CA San Diego County Fair/ Grandstand
July 17 2008 Cadott, WI Rock Fest
July 18 2008 Monticello, IA Great Jones Fair
July 25 2008 St. Louis, MO The Family Arena
July 26 2008 West Bend, WI Washington County Fair Park (Main Stage) *
Aug 4 2008 Bethlehem, PA Musikfest
Aug 6 2008 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Aug 15 2008 Atlantic City, NJ Tropicana Casino and Resort
2 Tesla, Twisted Sister to Perform at Annual Charity Show
Tom Scholz (Boston), Aaron Lewis (Staind), Tesla, Twisted Sister, Stryper, Dee Snider and others, along with host are scheduled to perform Monday, February 25th at Dunkin Donut Center in Providence, Rhode Island at the Fifth Anniversary Relief Fund Charity Concert.
The charity event marks the fifth anniversary of the Station Nightclub tragedy in Rhode Island, the fourth largest nightclub fire in US history. 100 lives were lost, 200 others were seriously injured and 65 children lost one or both parents. Five years later, funds available for the survivors are woefully inadequate. Only 15 survivors of the fire qualified for Social Security benefits, and many are still unable to meet their monthly needs.
The Station Family Fund, founded by survivors, family members and community members affected by the fire and the Wake Up To Love Foundation founded by Tesla drummer Troy Luccketta are event organizers. While $100,000 was raised in 2005 from a benefit concert featuring Tesla, Shinedown, Pat Travers and Carmine Appice, those funds are in desperate need of replenishing.
All proceeds from ticket sales and charity auctions benefit the Station Family Fund, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization founded by survivors of the Station Nightclub fire. The Station Family Fund is committed to providing survivor relief, including costs of ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.
Additional artists scheduled to perform on February 25th include Carmine Appice’s Slam, Eric Martin, Gary Hoey, Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine. Other artists will be announced over the next few weeks.
Organizers would like to acknowledge the incredible generosity of the Dunkin’ Donuts Center http://www.dunkindonutscenter.com who has graciously donated the venue free of charge for the charity event as well as East Coast Lighting, WHJY and the many acts who are donating their time in putting together this event.
Tickets go on sale Friday, January 4th at Ticketmaster.com. Prices range from $41 to $61.
For further information on the Station Family Fund and their work, please visit: www.stationfamilyfund.org.
For further information on Troy Luccketta’s Wake Up To Love Foundation, please visit: www.wakeuptolove.com.
6 Monster Ballads Xmas – (Release Year – 2007)
Before 2006, the only band hard rock fans had to turn to at Christmas Time for harder edged X-mas music was Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
In 2006, Twisted Sister released their Christmas Album, and now in 2007, the fine folks at Razor & Tie Records have released a Christmas Compilation CD with some of the biggest stars of the 80’s Hard Rock Era.
Monster Ballads XMas is a tasty feast of reworked Christmas classics, and a song with a unique twist from Danger Danger. Every song on this disc is highly enjoyable, at least until you get to Faster Pussycat’s Silent Night, which is awful.
If you need a disc to get you in the mood for the holiday season, this is the one to pick up. There are only 23 shopping days left before X-Mas. Don’t miss out on this record!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Jingle Bells – Skid Row
2. Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – Winger
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Jani Lane Of Warrant
4. I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Twisted Sister with Lita Ford
5. White Christmas – Queensryche
6. Run Rudolph Run – L.A. Guns
7. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Firehouse
8. Naughty Naughty Christmas – Danger Danger
9. Blue Christmas – Tom Keifer of Cinderella
10. Jingle Bell Rock – Nelson
11. Silent Night – Faster Pussycat
12. Twelve Days of Christmas – Dokken
13. Happy Holiday – Enuff Z’Nuff
14. Winter Wonderland – Stryper
15. Christmas Love – Billy Idol
2 Stryper – Reborn (Release Year – 2005)
In 2005, Stryper returned with their seventh studio disc, and the first with new material since 1990’s Against the Law.
I enjoyed some of the past releases by these guys, and decided to check out the latest effort. The guys have returned to their bumblebee like ways (at least this time it is with paint.) On Reborn, former bass player, Tim Gaines has been replaced with Tracy Ferrie. The rest of the lineup of Stryper are all original members: Michael Sweet on vocals, Oz Fox on guitar, and Robert Sweet on drums.
Quite frankly, I expected Reborn to be awful, which is why I hesitated in picking this up. Surprisingly, this is much better than I anticipated it to be.
Open Your Eyes is a tasty cut that has a more modern, heavy rock sound, similar to what Europe is doing these days. I always liked Oz Fox’s guitar sound, but this is a totally different sound, from the 80’s style hard rock of their past releases.
Reborn continues with the borderline Nu-metal sound. Whether you like the style of music or not, the song is definitely another solid track for Stryper.
With a title like, When Did I See You Cry, I expected a cheesy ballad to fall in line, but this is actually a mid tempo song that kind of rocks.
Make You Mine is probably the closest thing to the 80’s sound of Stryper. I like this track.
Sooner or later, I knew I would have to come across a song that a religious aspect about it. That song on Reborn is Passion. This is a very upbeat and positive sounding song. It is a good song, but will probably only appeal to certain audiences.
Whoa, where in the Hell….oops…Heaven did Live Again come from. This song is one of the heaviest on Reborn and the guitar riff is very Black Sabbath like. This song is going to have to into active rotation into the Hard Rock Hideout play list. Nice!
I didn’t really care for If I Die, but I could see this song growing on me if I listened to it more. Wait For You is very upbeat, and is kind of cool.
Rain is one of the more syrupy songs on Reborn. It is a little too light for my taste, but other people may like it.
Stryper is probably the only band in the world that could make a song like 10,000 Years work for them. When the first words “Amazing Grace” are uttered, my itchy trigger finger wants to hit the fast forward button, to move to the next song. I am glad that my patience prevailed. This is a pretty good song.
I.G.W.T is a remake off the ’88 track, In God We Trust. This is a totally different sounding version. The drums rhythms have been changed somewhat and the bass and guitars on this version have been kicked up a notch. I like the original version, and I like this one a lot too.
Reborn is a completely different sounding record than Stryper’s past releases. This updated sound my alienate some of the fans who preferred the old style of Stryper. I like the old sound, and this new disc appeals to me as well. There are a few tracks worthy of a multiple spins. It is another solid effort by the Yellow and Black Attack!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Open Your Eyes
2. Reborn
3. When Did I See You Cry
4. Make You Mine
5. Passion
6. Live Again
7. If I Die
8. Wait For You
9. Rain
10. 10,000 Years
11. I.G.W.T.
