With the release of their 8th studio album, No More Hell To Pay, Stryper are set to reclaim their throne in the hard rock/heavy metal world. The album is released via Frontiers Records and is available everywhere now (Album review). Arguably the band’s heaviest record to date, No More Hell To Pay manages to capture a new found intensity while maintaining the bold and personal faith-based message band leader Michael Sweet is known for. Sweet served as principle writer, vocalist, guitarist, and producer on this latest record and Metal Exiles is now able to share an exclusive interview with the man behind the Yellow & Black Attack! Please enjoy as he shares about the creation of the new record, as well as what to expect from his upcoming autobiography.
An Interview with Michael Sweet of Stryper
by John Knowles
Metal Exiles: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. So, how are you doing?
Michael Sweet: Good, I’m just recuperating; I got in this morning about 8AM into Logan from LAX, and just catching my breath after that long weekend at the Whisky and filming.
Metal Exiles: How do you feel about your show and live taping from the other night at the Whisky? Do you feel you got a good result out of it?
Michael: I think so; I mean I’m hoping for the best. I don’t think it was our best show. We’re the kind of band that likes to have rehearsal before we tour or perform, and we didn’t get any rehearsal in. We wound up having a couple of weeks of down time, and then going out on the fly and doing it. There were some bloopers here and there, and it wasn’t the best we’ve sounded but when it’s all put together I think it’s gonna be great...it’ll be really cool.
Metal Exiles: Any plans on doing a full on U.S. tour to support the new album?
Michael: Absolutely, we’re planning on touring next year extensively in support of this album. Not just U.S., but Europe, South America, Canada, Asia, you know - everywhere we can get to. That’s the plan, and it’s looking really good right now, we have an agent overseas working on it and we have an agent here working on it.
Metal Exiles: This is the heaviest Stryper album, period. Is this what came out of you guys naturally or was this preconceived?
Michael: It was definitely preconceived, and I think it came naturally to a degree too once we set our sights on that. We have heavy in our blood, we grew up on heavy. Some of our favorite bands of all time are Maiden, Judas Priest and Van Halen. I think what happens with a lot of bands is you stray from your roots and your past, and we’ve done that. This is a full circle album for us, coming back 100% to where we came from. And that’s what we wanted to do, we wanted to kind of hit people with a “bam, bam, bam”...no filler, every song hold it’s own, stand on it’s own, and also the album keep a flow, keep driving and not slow down too much. And that’s pretty much what we did, there’s only one ballad and it’s not a typical Stryper ballad, it’s a guitar ballad. Other than that it’s really just getting in that ring with the prized fighter and going twelve rounds, you just kinda get beat up. It’s a real fast-paced, heavy record.
Metal Exiles: Tell me about the writing process, is it generally you writing most of the material and riffs?
Michael: The way its always worked from the very beginning is I’ve written most of the material, I mean 99% of the material. There’s only a few songs over the years that I haven’t written. But the way it works is I’ll have the idea on a recorder, lately it’s my iPhone, and for this album I had over 40 ideas of me humming melodies or guitar riffs into my phone. Then I would go home, get my guitar out and then I would arrange chords to that idea and create the basic structure of the song. And then once I had those ideas I recorded those onto my iPhone with me humming (hums random melody) the guitar riff or whatever, and then when it was time to actually start preproduction for the album I spent about 11 or 12 days in my studio arranging all the songs. I got all 12 songs arranged, and then I had the band come out, I taught them the material, and then we went on the Monsters of Rock Cruise and we all took a live CD of us rehearsing the songs. Then we went into the studio after Monsters of Rock and we recorded it. So the way the process works for me is I’ll get away from writing, like I haven’t written a song since then. I’ve just been kind of clearing my head, and then I’ve got to dive-in in the next week actually to writing a new record that George Lynch and I are going to be working on. Once I get into that mode I’ll be working on a song everyday, until I have 12 or 13 songs.
Metal Exiles: After all you have been through your message about God is very loud on this album. Did you feel he was directing this new record in a certain direction?
Michael: Well man we’ve always been so up front, and crystal clear about our faith and our message, and we never try to sweep that under the carpet. The one thing we do try to do is do it in a fresh way with each record. Because you can only say, “Jesus saves” and “Jesus is the way” so many times. And we did that in the past, I mean we laugh about it to this day. We had so many songs with “Come on, rock, rock, He is the Rock, the Rock that makes me roll” and “Rock the Hell Out of You.” So lately as a writer I’ve really been trying to get a little deeper with the lyrical content and even more so with this record. And I’ve written a little more about experiences, like the song “Sticks and Stones” is about the experience of me losing friends and them saying things that really hurt me and effected me in a negative way and how I just rose above it and moved on no matter what. And my relationship with them is no longer intact, but I’m doing alright, and I wish them well, you know, I’ve moved on. I’m just going on a little bit more with personal experiences on this album. And also applying that to my faith, and my relationship with God. Really in the end it all points back to God, because it all comes back to love and God is love. And it’s because of His love we’re saved and because of His grace and His mercy. So that’s what we believe and that’s what we’re still singing about.
Metal Exiles: I like that, and I like how you put it in that fresh perspective. I definitely have been feeling that these last few records, and I appreciate that coming from you guys.
Michael: Yeah man. You know, music is music, its cool, its fun to play guitar, its fun to sing and get on stage and perform, but at the end of the day that’s not the meat and potatoes, you know, that’s fun stuff. But the reality and the real stuff that is eternal and is lasting and what matters in the end when we all take our last breath is what do we believe? And who do we live for, and who do we love? That’s it right there, and that’s what we try to get across in a very strong way, in a bold way.
Metal Exiles: The title is very poignant. Where did it come from and is it personal to you?
Michael: For the title we were playing off the To Hell With the Devil album in all ways with this album, with the sound of it, with the production, with the song flow, with the style, the artwork, the visual. I mean we wanted to kind of come back to our strongest album and make an album that would rival that and even hopefully surpass it. So that’s what we thought when we were making the album. Same thing with the artwork and the title, No More Hell To Pay. And what it means is: If you put your faith in God, there is no more hell to pay, because he paid the price. If we call on him, and believe that he can help us through and get us through anything here on Earth, our own hell here on Earth, there is no more hell to pay. If we believe in Him that He died on the cross, as the Bible says, for our sins and that any man that believes in Him shall live eternally and have eternal life, and wont face hell, the hell that the Bible speaks of, there’s no more hell to pay. So it’s a real simple statement, but a real powerful statement as well.
Metal Exiles: The artwork is absolutely stunning. Where did the idea come from to do something so unique?
Michael: The guys name is Stan Decker, and he works for the label, Frontiers. I sent him an email explaining the basics of what I wanted to achieve with this cover, and getting back, I even referenced To Hell With the Devil, I said, “Look at that, get that album.” He has it on vinyl, so he worked off of that. I said, “Just one angel, the album’s called No More Hell To Pay” and he sent me the graphic for that and I opened it up and thought, Wow, this is absolutely brilliant and amazing. I think the album cover speaks for itself every bit as loud as the music does. A lot of people said they bought the album based on the cover, just because they liked it and they hadn’t even heard the songs yet, and then they heard the album and they loved the songs. It’s a really powerful cover, it’s a really great “metal”, “classic” cover and it’s got that retro classic old-school vibe and it’s very “today” too.
Metal Exiles: Your vocal performance is very solid on this album. How do you keep your vocal abilities polished and sharp today?
Michael: I try to exercise, and eat right and take care of myself. It’s more of a strain these days to keep my voice up. When we go out and do two or three in a row I’m feeling it, where as back in 1986 or 1987 we could do four or five in a row and I could keep going. It was a lot easier to sing longer back then. But I just try to take care of myself, I sing on a regular basis and continue to make music and write, and perform and what not, I think that helps. I don’t smoke, I may have an occasional cigar or something like that but I’m not a chain smoker, I don’t drink heavily, and I just try to take care of my voice. And that’s pretty much it.
Metal Exiles: So no official training to this day, or a vocal coach or anything?
Michael: Not really. I mean, we had lessons as a band. We went to group lessons with a woman named Elizabeth Sabine, and she’s a world-renowned vocal coach...just awesome. But that was way back when, that was in 1985. We went to her as a group maybe 2-4 times, and that was it. I grew up in a musical family so I’ve been around singers my whole life, and I think most of it comes naturally, and then some of it comes from learning technique from other people. For the most part it’s just a natural, in the family, in the blood kind of thing.
Metal Exiles: I’m sure you’re aware of how popular album releases on vinyl have been in the past few years. Given your decision to release No More Hell To Pay on vinyl and with the t-shirt package, what are your thoughts on this recent resurgence?
Michael: I think its great, man. There’s many reasons why it’s great. The most important one is that it sounds great. I mean, vinyl sounds great. There’s something about having a great turn table, great speakers and a great amp, and you put that record on and you play it and its just sounds amazing. It looks amazing. There’s something to be said about holding a vinyl cover in your hands, looking at the cover in that size, enlarged. Then pulling out the vinyl itself, looking at it, especially the colored vinyl, and there’s just something really cool about it. Also as a fan it is a great thing to be able to collect and have as a one of a kind piece.
Metal Exiles: Totally agree. That’s primarily why I got into it, between the sound and the look of it, it’s awesome!
Michael: Exactly, like you said the sound and look of it, yeah it’s a lot more pricey. And some people say it’s coming back, but I don’t know that it really ever left. I mean it was obviously much more popular back in the 60s and 70s, but I think its always kind of stuck around and I think its actually getting more popular and I’m noticing that more and more bands are releasing their records on vinyl and I think its cool, man...it’s great.
Metal Exiles: You guys are no strangers to covers. How did the Doobie Brothers track end up on your radar for this one?
Michael: You know, that’s actually a track that we’ve talked about covering for a long, long time. It was not on the list of songs for The Covering, I think someone asked me that recently and I can say that it was not. It was just a song we had thought about covering for a number of years, and I thought after doing an arrangement of that song, man this would really be perfect on this new album. And I think it is, I think it fits right in. It’s got a powerful message, it says so much lyrically, and I love the breakdown...it’s like a roller coaster ride where its: (hums a bar) with that up-tempo, and then it has that “Sabbath” slow-down in the middle, I love that. The dynamics are incredible.
Metal Exiles: You are putting the finishing touches on an autobiography, where I am sure you address in detail your decision to leave the band after Against the Law. How did it feel to go back and not only recall but also prepare to share some of those really difficult things?
Michael: It’s a little odd; because it brings back memories and things that I don’t necessarily want to remember. You know, things that I did in my life, poor choices from the time I was a little kid, the Against the Law period...I get into a lot of stuff in the book. At the same time it’s almost therapeutic to be able to write about it. I was really wanting to not sling people under the bus, and hurt people. I just told my stories, and obviously other people are involved in those stories, but it’s my book about my life, and if I’m throwing anyone under bus I’m throwing myself under the bus. But it is exciting, and the reason why it’s taken so long to complete is because the label wants to release it with the album, and we had to re-write the book, and re-edit it twice. But it is done, and the album and the book will be coming out next year for sure.
Metal Exiles: How is the vibe within the band right now? Tim has been in an out since the reunion. Do you feel that the four of you guys are a solid permanent band now?
Michael: I think so, I mean we live in different states, we don’t see each other as much so we’re not as close as we used to be, but that doesn’t mean that we’re distant. We don’t dislike each other. But it does mean that we don’t spend as much time together and I think with any relationship if you don’t have communication and you’re not hanging out you can put distance between yourselves, and grow apart to a degree. I think that’s happened to us over the years. I do believe also though, in saying that, that there’s a lot of life left in the band. I think we’re proving that with this album, and we plan to tour, we plan to make more albums, more music, and do a lot more until we can’t do it any longer. Or someone in the band doesn’t want to do it any longer. I do think it’s important that we stay together with the original line-up. I think that speaks volumes, and its very important, its very unique, its very rare. And I would rather not continue on if any one of us was not here. We did it before with Tracy Ferrie and I don’t want to do that again. I don’t want to go down that road again where we bring in someone different, I’d rather just stop doing it.
Metal Exiles: For anyone in the “Christian music” scene I’ve always found that the label “Christian” followed by the musical genre to be a little absurd. How do you feel about that? I mean, you guys are prominently labeled “Christian Metal” on your own website, the Frontiers website, and in any and all media coverage. Do you think this is necessary?
Michael: I don’t...I don’t like it. We got in a little bit of a debate recently, Oz and I did, because Oz feels that if we don’t term ourselves a “Christian” rock or metal band we’re going to offend our Christian fans. And I feel the exact opposite. I think our Christian fans are supportive enough and smart enough to know that we’re not offending them by not wanting to be labeled a “Christian” band. We’ve never swept our faith under the carpet. We’re as bold as we can be, at all times, in interviews, in songs, on stage, you name it. So we never run from that, ever. But at the same time, being labeled a “Christian” band really hinders us, and hurts us. When we’re put in the Christian category at a record store, if someone’s coming in who’s not a Christian to look for our album, they’re not going to go to the Christian category to buy it. I just think that people fear religion, and Christianity often. Its certainly one of the most hated subjects of conversation at the dinner table along with politics. We’re a rock band that’s comprised of Christians, that’s what we are.
Metal Exiles: There’s been a lot of mention recently about some of the nods you and the band have received from Dave Mustaine of all people. He shared with you his favorite track on the new record is “Sympathy,” and you guys went with his lead and shot a video for it. He also penned the forward in your book. How does it feel to have the respect and support of such an iconic thrash metal legend?
Michael: It’s really cool man. I just sent him the album and he listened to it, and it might have been the first time he ever heard us, I really don’t know. I don’t really think that Dave is a huge fan, but I think he is the sense that we’re brothers and we’re friends, and I asked him to listen to the album because I respect him immensely, and he was gracious enough to do that. He came back to me and said, after to listening to it, that the song he really liked and woke up with in his head was “Sympathy.” So that really got the ball rolling in my mind as to us thinking about that song as the video. And I hadn’t really been thinking about that song as a potential video or a single. So Dave helped that process, absolutely, which is really cool. And for the forward in the book he wrote something for me, which was really nice of him to do. It’s really short, it’s really sweet, and it’s really cool. I’ve got some other people too that have written quotes for the book, and I’m excited about that. I can’t wait to be holding that in my hand and knowing this is finally a reality. Look for that, as I said, with the album next year. They’re going to be released simultaneously, and they are coming. I know I’ve said that multiple times, but they are coming for sure.
Metal Exiles: Michael. Bless you guys for what you’re doing and your ministry, and I really look forward to seeing you on tour next year.
Michael: Thank you for your time, and we look forward to seeing you on the road as well.
No More Hell To Pay is Stryper and good all-around melodic metal at its very best. Be sure to look for the band on tour in your area sometime next year, along with Michael Sweet’s much anticipated autobiography and solo album, Honestly.
Official Stryper Site
Buy No More Hell To Pay
Buy No More Hell To Pay On Vinyl
An Interview with Michael Sweet of Stryper
by John Knowles
Metal Exiles: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. So, how are you doing?
Michael Sweet: Good, I’m just recuperating; I got in this morning about 8AM into Logan from LAX, and just catching my breath after that long weekend at the Whisky and filming.
Metal Exiles: How do you feel about your show and live taping from the other night at the Whisky? Do you feel you got a good result out of it?
Michael: I think so; I mean I’m hoping for the best. I don’t think it was our best show. We’re the kind of band that likes to have rehearsal before we tour or perform, and we didn’t get any rehearsal in. We wound up having a couple of weeks of down time, and then going out on the fly and doing it. There were some bloopers here and there, and it wasn’t the best we’ve sounded but when it’s all put together I think it’s gonna be great...it’ll be really cool.
Metal Exiles: Any plans on doing a full on U.S. tour to support the new album?
Michael: Absolutely, we’re planning on touring next year extensively in support of this album. Not just U.S., but Europe, South America, Canada, Asia, you know - everywhere we can get to. That’s the plan, and it’s looking really good right now, we have an agent overseas working on it and we have an agent here working on it.
Metal Exiles: This is the heaviest Stryper album, period. Is this what came out of you guys naturally or was this preconceived?
Michael: It was definitely preconceived, and I think it came naturally to a degree too once we set our sights on that. We have heavy in our blood, we grew up on heavy. Some of our favorite bands of all time are Maiden, Judas Priest and Van Halen. I think what happens with a lot of bands is you stray from your roots and your past, and we’ve done that. This is a full circle album for us, coming back 100% to where we came from. And that’s what we wanted to do, we wanted to kind of hit people with a “bam, bam, bam”...no filler, every song hold it’s own, stand on it’s own, and also the album keep a flow, keep driving and not slow down too much. And that’s pretty much what we did, there’s only one ballad and it’s not a typical Stryper ballad, it’s a guitar ballad. Other than that it’s really just getting in that ring with the prized fighter and going twelve rounds, you just kinda get beat up. It’s a real fast-paced, heavy record.
Metal Exiles: Tell me about the writing process, is it generally you writing most of the material and riffs?
Michael: The way its always worked from the very beginning is I’ve written most of the material, I mean 99% of the material. There’s only a few songs over the years that I haven’t written. But the way it works is I’ll have the idea on a recorder, lately it’s my iPhone, and for this album I had over 40 ideas of me humming melodies or guitar riffs into my phone. Then I would go home, get my guitar out and then I would arrange chords to that idea and create the basic structure of the song. And then once I had those ideas I recorded those onto my iPhone with me humming (hums random melody) the guitar riff or whatever, and then when it was time to actually start preproduction for the album I spent about 11 or 12 days in my studio arranging all the songs. I got all 12 songs arranged, and then I had the band come out, I taught them the material, and then we went on the Monsters of Rock Cruise and we all took a live CD of us rehearsing the songs. Then we went into the studio after Monsters of Rock and we recorded it. So the way the process works for me is I’ll get away from writing, like I haven’t written a song since then. I’ve just been kind of clearing my head, and then I’ve got to dive-in in the next week actually to writing a new record that George Lynch and I are going to be working on. Once I get into that mode I’ll be working on a song everyday, until I have 12 or 13 songs.
Metal Exiles: After all you have been through your message about God is very loud on this album. Did you feel he was directing this new record in a certain direction?
Michael: Well man we’ve always been so up front, and crystal clear about our faith and our message, and we never try to sweep that under the carpet. The one thing we do try to do is do it in a fresh way with each record. Because you can only say, “Jesus saves” and “Jesus is the way” so many times. And we did that in the past, I mean we laugh about it to this day. We had so many songs with “Come on, rock, rock, He is the Rock, the Rock that makes me roll” and “Rock the Hell Out of You.” So lately as a writer I’ve really been trying to get a little deeper with the lyrical content and even more so with this record. And I’ve written a little more about experiences, like the song “Sticks and Stones” is about the experience of me losing friends and them saying things that really hurt me and effected me in a negative way and how I just rose above it and moved on no matter what. And my relationship with them is no longer intact, but I’m doing alright, and I wish them well, you know, I’ve moved on. I’m just going on a little bit more with personal experiences on this album. And also applying that to my faith, and my relationship with God. Really in the end it all points back to God, because it all comes back to love and God is love. And it’s because of His love we’re saved and because of His grace and His mercy. So that’s what we believe and that’s what we’re still singing about.
Metal Exiles: I like that, and I like how you put it in that fresh perspective. I definitely have been feeling that these last few records, and I appreciate that coming from you guys.
Michael: Yeah man. You know, music is music, its cool, its fun to play guitar, its fun to sing and get on stage and perform, but at the end of the day that’s not the meat and potatoes, you know, that’s fun stuff. But the reality and the real stuff that is eternal and is lasting and what matters in the end when we all take our last breath is what do we believe? And who do we live for, and who do we love? That’s it right there, and that’s what we try to get across in a very strong way, in a bold way.
Metal Exiles: The title is very poignant. Where did it come from and is it personal to you?
Michael: For the title we were playing off the To Hell With the Devil album in all ways with this album, with the sound of it, with the production, with the song flow, with the style, the artwork, the visual. I mean we wanted to kind of come back to our strongest album and make an album that would rival that and even hopefully surpass it. So that’s what we thought when we were making the album. Same thing with the artwork and the title, No More Hell To Pay. And what it means is: If you put your faith in God, there is no more hell to pay, because he paid the price. If we call on him, and believe that he can help us through and get us through anything here on Earth, our own hell here on Earth, there is no more hell to pay. If we believe in Him that He died on the cross, as the Bible says, for our sins and that any man that believes in Him shall live eternally and have eternal life, and wont face hell, the hell that the Bible speaks of, there’s no more hell to pay. So it’s a real simple statement, but a real powerful statement as well.
Metal Exiles: The artwork is absolutely stunning. Where did the idea come from to do something so unique?
Michael: The guys name is Stan Decker, and he works for the label, Frontiers. I sent him an email explaining the basics of what I wanted to achieve with this cover, and getting back, I even referenced To Hell With the Devil, I said, “Look at that, get that album.” He has it on vinyl, so he worked off of that. I said, “Just one angel, the album’s called No More Hell To Pay” and he sent me the graphic for that and I opened it up and thought, Wow, this is absolutely brilliant and amazing. I think the album cover speaks for itself every bit as loud as the music does. A lot of people said they bought the album based on the cover, just because they liked it and they hadn’t even heard the songs yet, and then they heard the album and they loved the songs. It’s a really powerful cover, it’s a really great “metal”, “classic” cover and it’s got that retro classic old-school vibe and it’s very “today” too.
Metal Exiles: Your vocal performance is very solid on this album. How do you keep your vocal abilities polished and sharp today?
Michael: I try to exercise, and eat right and take care of myself. It’s more of a strain these days to keep my voice up. When we go out and do two or three in a row I’m feeling it, where as back in 1986 or 1987 we could do four or five in a row and I could keep going. It was a lot easier to sing longer back then. But I just try to take care of myself, I sing on a regular basis and continue to make music and write, and perform and what not, I think that helps. I don’t smoke, I may have an occasional cigar or something like that but I’m not a chain smoker, I don’t drink heavily, and I just try to take care of my voice. And that’s pretty much it.
Metal Exiles: So no official training to this day, or a vocal coach or anything?
Michael: Not really. I mean, we had lessons as a band. We went to group lessons with a woman named Elizabeth Sabine, and she’s a world-renowned vocal coach...just awesome. But that was way back when, that was in 1985. We went to her as a group maybe 2-4 times, and that was it. I grew up in a musical family so I’ve been around singers my whole life, and I think most of it comes naturally, and then some of it comes from learning technique from other people. For the most part it’s just a natural, in the family, in the blood kind of thing.
Metal Exiles: I’m sure you’re aware of how popular album releases on vinyl have been in the past few years. Given your decision to release No More Hell To Pay on vinyl and with the t-shirt package, what are your thoughts on this recent resurgence?
Michael: I think its great, man. There’s many reasons why it’s great. The most important one is that it sounds great. I mean, vinyl sounds great. There’s something about having a great turn table, great speakers and a great amp, and you put that record on and you play it and its just sounds amazing. It looks amazing. There’s something to be said about holding a vinyl cover in your hands, looking at the cover in that size, enlarged. Then pulling out the vinyl itself, looking at it, especially the colored vinyl, and there’s just something really cool about it. Also as a fan it is a great thing to be able to collect and have as a one of a kind piece.
Metal Exiles: Totally agree. That’s primarily why I got into it, between the sound and the look of it, it’s awesome!
Michael: Exactly, like you said the sound and look of it, yeah it’s a lot more pricey. And some people say it’s coming back, but I don’t know that it really ever left. I mean it was obviously much more popular back in the 60s and 70s, but I think its always kind of stuck around and I think its actually getting more popular and I’m noticing that more and more bands are releasing their records on vinyl and I think its cool, man...it’s great.
Metal Exiles: You guys are no strangers to covers. How did the Doobie Brothers track end up on your radar for this one?
Michael: You know, that’s actually a track that we’ve talked about covering for a long, long time. It was not on the list of songs for The Covering, I think someone asked me that recently and I can say that it was not. It was just a song we had thought about covering for a number of years, and I thought after doing an arrangement of that song, man this would really be perfect on this new album. And I think it is, I think it fits right in. It’s got a powerful message, it says so much lyrically, and I love the breakdown...it’s like a roller coaster ride where its: (hums a bar) with that up-tempo, and then it has that “Sabbath” slow-down in the middle, I love that. The dynamics are incredible.
Metal Exiles: You are putting the finishing touches on an autobiography, where I am sure you address in detail your decision to leave the band after Against the Law. How did it feel to go back and not only recall but also prepare to share some of those really difficult things?
Michael: It’s a little odd; because it brings back memories and things that I don’t necessarily want to remember. You know, things that I did in my life, poor choices from the time I was a little kid, the Against the Law period...I get into a lot of stuff in the book. At the same time it’s almost therapeutic to be able to write about it. I was really wanting to not sling people under the bus, and hurt people. I just told my stories, and obviously other people are involved in those stories, but it’s my book about my life, and if I’m throwing anyone under bus I’m throwing myself under the bus. But it is exciting, and the reason why it’s taken so long to complete is because the label wants to release it with the album, and we had to re-write the book, and re-edit it twice. But it is done, and the album and the book will be coming out next year for sure.
Metal Exiles: How is the vibe within the band right now? Tim has been in an out since the reunion. Do you feel that the four of you guys are a solid permanent band now?
Michael: I think so, I mean we live in different states, we don’t see each other as much so we’re not as close as we used to be, but that doesn’t mean that we’re distant. We don’t dislike each other. But it does mean that we don’t spend as much time together and I think with any relationship if you don’t have communication and you’re not hanging out you can put distance between yourselves, and grow apart to a degree. I think that’s happened to us over the years. I do believe also though, in saying that, that there’s a lot of life left in the band. I think we’re proving that with this album, and we plan to tour, we plan to make more albums, more music, and do a lot more until we can’t do it any longer. Or someone in the band doesn’t want to do it any longer. I do think it’s important that we stay together with the original line-up. I think that speaks volumes, and its very important, its very unique, its very rare. And I would rather not continue on if any one of us was not here. We did it before with Tracy Ferrie and I don’t want to do that again. I don’t want to go down that road again where we bring in someone different, I’d rather just stop doing it.
Metal Exiles: For anyone in the “Christian music” scene I’ve always found that the label “Christian” followed by the musical genre to be a little absurd. How do you feel about that? I mean, you guys are prominently labeled “Christian Metal” on your own website, the Frontiers website, and in any and all media coverage. Do you think this is necessary?
Michael: I don’t...I don’t like it. We got in a little bit of a debate recently, Oz and I did, because Oz feels that if we don’t term ourselves a “Christian” rock or metal band we’re going to offend our Christian fans. And I feel the exact opposite. I think our Christian fans are supportive enough and smart enough to know that we’re not offending them by not wanting to be labeled a “Christian” band. We’ve never swept our faith under the carpet. We’re as bold as we can be, at all times, in interviews, in songs, on stage, you name it. So we never run from that, ever. But at the same time, being labeled a “Christian” band really hinders us, and hurts us. When we’re put in the Christian category at a record store, if someone’s coming in who’s not a Christian to look for our album, they’re not going to go to the Christian category to buy it. I just think that people fear religion, and Christianity often. Its certainly one of the most hated subjects of conversation at the dinner table along with politics. We’re a rock band that’s comprised of Christians, that’s what we are.
Metal Exiles: There’s been a lot of mention recently about some of the nods you and the band have received from Dave Mustaine of all people. He shared with you his favorite track on the new record is “Sympathy,” and you guys went with his lead and shot a video for it. He also penned the forward in your book. How does it feel to have the respect and support of such an iconic thrash metal legend?
Michael: It’s really cool man. I just sent him the album and he listened to it, and it might have been the first time he ever heard us, I really don’t know. I don’t really think that Dave is a huge fan, but I think he is the sense that we’re brothers and we’re friends, and I asked him to listen to the album because I respect him immensely, and he was gracious enough to do that. He came back to me and said, after to listening to it, that the song he really liked and woke up with in his head was “Sympathy.” So that really got the ball rolling in my mind as to us thinking about that song as the video. And I hadn’t really been thinking about that song as a potential video or a single. So Dave helped that process, absolutely, which is really cool. And for the forward in the book he wrote something for me, which was really nice of him to do. It’s really short, it’s really sweet, and it’s really cool. I’ve got some other people too that have written quotes for the book, and I’m excited about that. I can’t wait to be holding that in my hand and knowing this is finally a reality. Look for that, as I said, with the album next year. They’re going to be released simultaneously, and they are coming. I know I’ve said that multiple times, but they are coming for sure.
Metal Exiles: Michael. Bless you guys for what you’re doing and your ministry, and I really look forward to seeing you on tour next year.
Michael: Thank you for your time, and we look forward to seeing you on the road as well.
No More Hell To Pay is Stryper and good all-around melodic metal at its very best. Be sure to look for the band on tour in your area sometime next year, along with Michael Sweet’s much anticipated autobiography and solo album, Honestly.
Official Stryper Site
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