STRYPER FANS REJOICE! The new Stryper albums dropped today, I'm sure everyone has their copy by now, right? RIGHT?! It is a great one for sure. In case you missed the review Doug did a few days ago, see the link below in related article section. But before you go there, let's here the exchange I had this morning with Michael on this new album and other related issues. He discusses the recording of this album, some song details, plus some very soon, related projects that I kno

STRYPER FRONT MAN MICHAEL SWEET RELEASES PART 2 OF “THE MAKING OF TEN” https://youtu.be/IPGgnaAFyKQ Ten Is Now Available Everywhere Or Via Rat Pat Records At www.ratpakrecords.com/michaelsweet (New York, NY – October 29, 2019) Building upon the strong debut on the charts with his latest album Ten, Michael Sweet has released the second part of the behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the album. “The Making Of Ten” (Part 2) can be seen here: https://youtu.be/IPGgnaAFyKQ. T

With Ten Michael Sweet has delivered his strongest solo record to date. Any fan of the heavier guitar sounds of both early and more recent Stryper, will find much to embrace, both musically and lyrically. Musically, this is scorching melodic metal/rock bliss with hook-infested rhythm leads and blistering solos (courtesy of the great guest list!) balanced with engaging vocal melodies and catchy chorus anthems. Will Hunt once again handles all the drumming and John O’Boyle the

Another review for this record by a member of the Karew? Really? Well…yes. Because we want to. And we can. And because we wanted to give more than one perspective on it. Plus, I like to sit with a record for a couple of weeks and not give any snap judgments. As a fan of progressive stuff, I like to find the nuances in the music. And let’s get the title out of the way…this review is not going to get into the controversial title. However, I personally do agree with the c

Warning: Commandment Violation* (See Full Listening Review for Details) Heaven’s Metal does not condone the taking of the Lord’s name in vain in any form – intentional or otherwise. While it may not be the intent/motive of the artist to do so, the creation of an album title or song title (and/or lyrics) which, to some (or many), may be construed or interpreted as a direct disregard of a Commandment is an unwise free-will choice for a Christian artist to exercise. Based on the

More Sweet Than Lynch After an excellent debut collaboration release, Sweet and Lynch, just two years later, return with more solid melodic rock and metal. There is some really good/solid stuff here for sure, and most who enjoyed Only To Rise will find Unified in pretty much the same vein. But while I really liked the balance of Lynch’s styles with Sweet’s on the debut, to me, Unified feels a bit more Sweet than Lynch. I mean, the first two tracks could easily find their way

Hopefully, as many of you as possible were able to see the 30th Anniversary Tour of To Hell with the Devil, as it was something special. The band was on and delivered all the high quality double leads, harmony vocals and sing-along moments that Stryper fans have come to expect. All the reports we’ve heard from all over the country here at Heaven’s Metal Magazine have been extremely positive. We wanted the real truth, though, so we contacted frontman Michael Sweet and asked hi

SH: 30 years ago, when To Hell With the Devil first started, how did the album and concept come about? MS: Well, my brother had the idea for the album title itself and then I wrote the music, he and I wrote the lyrics to the song, and then everything else just fell into place. We went in to find the best possible studio to record it. We really wanted to step it up the way it sounded, and we did. We ended up recording it digitally, and musically everything just rounded out. Th

A cool little video worth visitng. We jump in the wayback machine and go to the days of Michael Sweet's first solo album after leaving Stryper. As part of the promotion for the album, Michael and band did some acoustic shows in bookstores. This short set too place 5/11/1994 at the Berean Christian Bookstore in Greenwood, IN. He and his band, featuring Dennis Cameron on guitar (Angelica), Jamie Wollam on drums (Guardian/The Brave), Scott Harper on bass (Whitecross) and Paul H

I had the chance to talk with Michael Sweet a couple days before his new solo album One Sided War hit the streets. We discussed the future and the past of all things Stryper and solo projects. As always, Michael is a very down to earth and approachable person who it is a pleasure to talk with as he reveals in details behind his new solo album as well as future plans for Stryper, Sweet & Lynch, and more work with Joel Hoekstra. JM: So, let’s talk new album - One Sided War. You