Iconic hard rock/heavy metal band Stryper will celebrate their 35th anniversary with the upcoming release of their 10th studio album, GOD DAMN EVIL, due April 20, 2018 from Frontiers Music SRL. Produced by frontman Michael Sweet, the band returns with their most powerful album to date, doubling down on the hard rock/heavy metal sound that earned them a worldwide fan base.
"God Damn Evil" is available now for pre-order in multiple configurations. Stryper have made available some special bundles of "God Damn Evil" through their own webstore and in partnership with Frontiers Music Srl:
Frontiers U.S. Webstore: Includes EXCLUSIVE gold colored vinyl (limited to 100 copies worldwide), autographed vinyl test pressings, EXCLUSIVE t-shirt design (Frontiers store ONLY), Limited Amount of autographed CDs, and more! Pre-order HERE: http://pmusic.co/34WWZE
Frontiers EU Webstore: Includes EXCLUSIVE silver colored vinyl (limited to 100 copies worldwide) and more! Pre-order HERE: http://bit.ly/2EcT3J3
Stryper Webstore: Includes EXCLUSIVE yellow colored vinyl (limited to 100 copies worldwide), autographed vinyl test pressings, EXCLUSIVE t-shirt design (Stryper store ONLY), Limited Amount of autographed CDs, and more! Pre-order HERE: https://stores.portmerch.com/stryper/
Pre-orders will also be available at the usual retail outlets like Amazon and iTunes and "Take It To The Cross" can be streamed at Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, etc. as of midnight Friday, February 8th.
Fans were initially introduced to the "God Damn Evil" album title and cover art via social media posts on February 5th, which quickly went viral causing a significant amount of conversation from STRYPER fans.
“We thought long and hard about this title,” says Michael in response to thousands of fan comments. “It was actually considered quite a few years ago and it just didn't feel like the right time. Now, with all the evil in the world that we see around us on a daily basis, it made perfect sense. It's a very bold statement yet a prayer asking God to damn/condemn evil. Nothing more, nothing less."
God Damn Evil is the first release since the recent addition of bass player Perry Richardson, who joins original members Michael Sweet (vocals and guitar), Robert Sweet (drums) and Oz Fox (guitar). Perry is best known as a founding member of the multi-platinum band FireHouse.
STRYPER fans are getting their first look into the upcoming album with today’s release of the epic lyric video for the song, "Take It To The Cross." View the Lyric video here:
“’Take It To The Cross’ is our answer to many fans asking us to do something a little heavier and even bordering on thrash,” says Michael. “The verses are heavy with a vocal and lyric delivery that's bold and relevant yet the chorus kicks in with a fast, thrashy vibe. We brought in Matt Blanchard (Act Of Defiance / Shadows Fall) to handle the vocal growl on the choruses and the end vamp. This song is 100% high octane.”
Rocking since 1984, STRYPER is responsible for such classic '80s metal albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell with the Devil and In God We Trust. In fact, STRYPER is the first band to ever have two songs in MTV’s Top 10 simultaneously with their hits “Free” and “Honestly.” After a sabbatical for much of the 1990's, STRYPER returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the Dove Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated band has sold over 10 million records worldwide.
"God Damn Evil" is the follow-up to STRYPER’s ninth studio album, "Fallen" (Frontiers Music SRL), which was released in 2015 and debuted at the top of the Billboard charts. 2016’s 30th Anniversary To Hell With The Devil Tour saw record crowds and featured the band’s largest sound and lighting production in nearly two decades.
STRYPER will return to the road this year, kicking off the God Damn Evil World Tour in Milan, Italy on April 28th at the Frontiers Rock Festival. Tour dates will be posted as confirmed at http://www.stryper.com/Tour/tour.html.
“We all see and hear the darkness that surrounds us in our society but with faith and love, we'll always have hope,” says Michael. “That's what STRYPER is all about - powerful music and a message that builds foundations, not walls. We couldn't be more excited about God Damn Evil as it showcases our undying love for what we do and why we do it.”
Track Listing for God Damn Evil:
1. Take It To The Cross
2. Sorry
3. Lost
4. God Damn Evil
5. You Don’t Even Know Me
6. The Valley
7. Sea Of Thieves
8. Beautiful
9. Can’t Live Without Your Love
10. Own Up
11. The Devil Doesn’t Live Here
ONLINE
LINEUP
Robert Sweet Drums
Oz Fox Guitars, Vocals
Michael Sweet Vocals (lead), Guitars
Perry Richardson Bass
BIOGRAPHY
Established in southern California in 1983, multi-platinum crossover Christian metal band, Stryper, continues to share their positive message and energetic stage presence with a passionate following throughout the world. Since the band’s inception over 30 years ago, the founding members have stayed true to their deepest convictions, turning from “the ways of the world” and following their hearts instead.
“In the past 34 years, we’ve evolved into what we are now,” says vocalist and guitarist Michael Sweet. “This is what we always really wanted to be. I love the progression. The story of Stryper is that of an underdog. We seem to go against the grain with everything we do, and our fans tend to be the same – They’re good hardworking people who believe in love, respect, and not conforming to the ways of the world.”
The members of Stryper have proven themselves as metal stalwarts, leaving an indelible mark on the genre with each new release. With such hits as “Calling On You,” “Free,” “Honestly,” and “Always There For You,” Stryper’s album sales now exceed over 10 million worldwide. Add to that one of the most successful Christian rock albums ever, 1986’s multi-platinum To Hell With The Devil, and the unique distinction of being the first band in history to notch two songs in MTV’s Top 10 with “Free” and “Honestly.”
The band has managed to leave an enduring impression on pop culture, as well. Singer Michael Sweet spent months trending online when he was identified as the doppelganger of 2016 presidential candidate Ted Cruz, who went on to discuss the comparison on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Several movies have paid homage to Stryper’s cultural significance, too, including Drew Barrymore’s “Whip It” and “Pain & Gain,” starring Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Since returning from a 12-year hiatus in 2003, Stryper has managed to release new music annually. Their most recent full-length album, Fallen [Frontiers Music SRL], reached #44 on the Billboard Top 200 and #2 on the Top Hard Music Albums chart. The group is now recording their next original album, which is due in April of 2018 and promises to be their most groundbreaking yet.
This year will also bring Stryper back on the road, where they’ll have a chance to connect with fans, new and old. The line-up still features three of the original members, including singer songwriter Michael Sweet, his brother and drummer Robert Sweet, and guitarist Oz Fox. Recently, the group welcomed iconic bassist Perry Richardson (formerly of Firehouse), who will be joining them on tour.
“We’re excited about the next season of Stryper,” says Sweet. “We have the best fans in the world and the band is at the top of its game musically and spiritually. We look forward to seeing everyone on the road."
DISCOGRAPHY
Soldiers Under Command - 1985
To Hell with the Devil - 1986
In God We Trust - 1988
Against the Law - 1990
Reborn - 2005
Murder by Pride - 2009
The Covering - 2011
Second Coming - 2013
No More Hell to Pay - 2013
Fallen - 2015
God Damn Evil - 2018