INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL SWEET

Michael Sweet is best known as the co-founder, writer and lead singer of the Christian Hard Rock legendary band Stryper. With the band, Sweet recorded five successful studio albums that reached gold and platinum status and won him many awards and worldwide fame. After eight years as the main front man of Stryper, Sweet left the band in 1992 in order to pursue a solo career. Michael Sweet, also,  performed lead vocals, background vocals, and guitar work for Boston. In 2005, Sweet and Stryper were re-united and released the "Reborn" album. In 2009, Stryper released the very good "Murder By Pride". Nowadays, the boys are back with an impressive effort called "The Covering". This album is about covers of Strypers influences.
So, below you are going to read the interview that Michael Sweet gave to Heavy Paradise and talked about Stryper's glory days, his future plans but, also, the forthcoming brand new Stryper album which is going to be released in the near future.
Enjoy.....

heavy paradise : Hello Michael, I would like to welcome you here in Heavy Paradise for this interview! Firstly, I have to give you my congratulations for the "Covering" album. I have to say that's it's a really solid album! How so and you guys decided to release an album with cover songs?

Michael : We played covers before the band Stryper, when we were Roxx Regime. Once we became Stryper, we started sound checking with covers and then added "On Fire" to the set in 1990/1991 and then recently, added "Breaking The Law". The response has been great in regard to us doing covers so we thought it would be a great time to do a cover record, to show our fans where our roots lie musically speaking.

heavy paradise : I'm really impressed about the brand new track, "God". Is this track a sample of what your fans must expect from a future release?

Michael : Absolutely! I'm writing now for the next Stryper release and it will be down the same path as "God". It seems to be what the fans want to hear and what the fans want the most - melodic metal with harmony solos, high octane vocals and up tempo arrangements.

heavy paradise : Stryper was a band that was something different, 'cause of the image and the lyrics, from the rest big names of that era! Even though you achieved to have a big success back then. Was it difficult?

Michael : It was and still is to this day. We've learned to accept the fact that some people will always judge us from the spiritual aspect, not necessarily from the musical or ability aspect. So often certain people judge the book by it's cover and not it's depth. Usually, when people listen to the band they are convinced that we can hold our own, instead of writing us off because we're a Christian band.

heavy paradise : What are the things that you missed most from that era?

Michael : The music was more positive and uplifting and not so full of angst and negativity. Th 80's were fun!

heavy paradise : The "Reborn" album in 2005 created mixed feelings among your fans. Can you say some things about this album?

Michael : We have no regrets with "Reborn" except for the fact that there were not enough solos and vocal scream like the other records. Musically speaking, we feel that it's a great record and many fans feel the same. It just lacked some the things that our fans expect to hear that's all.

heavy paradise : If you had the chance to change some things from your past, which would that be and why?

Michael : I always take the risk of offending a few when I say this but I would have changed the yellow and black. I feel that it has limited the band and has always been moe on the "gimmicky" side. I would have liked for the music to do the talking and not be overshadowed by the yellow and black. I not I'm most likely in the minority but that's just the way I feel.

heavy paradise : In 2009, you came back with the brand new "Murder By Pride" release. Do you think that this one is a more back to your roots?

Michael : Yes, most certainly. We purposely added more harmony solos and high vocal parts. As far as guitar riffs, I wanted to get back to the straight ahead "hooky" riffs that people remember the band by, ala "To Hell With The Devil". I think we accomplished that. "Murder By Pride" is one of my favorite Stryper records. I think it has it all from a fans perspective.

heavy paradise : If you had to pick your favorite Stryper album from your entire catalogue, which would that be?

Michael : "Soldiers Under Command"

heavy paradise : Your debut solo album is a classic in my book and I'm sure to every hard rock fan out there! In the Stryper concerts are you playin' some songs from that album?

Michael : Unfortunately no. I would like to add a few solo songs to the set but right now we're focusing on the classics and songs from "The Covering".

heavy paradise : So, the big question in every Stryper fan is when should we expect a new album? Do you have any songs?

Michael : Yes, Yes, Yes! I'm writing now and will continue to write this year. We plan to start recording either over the holidays or the beginning of 2012. We're excited about a new, all original record with the original line-up!!!

heavy paradise : What are your future plans, Michael?

Michael : To co-write with a lot of different writers for not only Stryper, but many other artists to. To produce a variety of records over the next 5 years and to continue writing, recoding and performing solo records as well.

heavy paradise : At this point, I have to thank you once again for this interview Michael. All the best for the future!

http://www.michaelsweet.com/   http://www.stryper.com/