Upcoming Stryper Cover Album to include VH, KISS, UFO tunes

[Mr Walker]

Christian hard rockers STRYPER have added KISS' "Shout It Out Loud" to the list of songs they are recording for their upcoming album of covers, to be released later in the year.

The CD will include STRYPER's renditions of the following classics:

* JUDAS PRIEST - "Breaking The Law"
* IRON MAIDEN - "The Trooper"
* SCORPIONS - "Blackout"
* OZZY OSBOURNE - "Over The Mountain"
* SWEET - "Set Me Free"
* VAN HALEN - "On Fire"
* DEEP PURPLE - "Highway Star"
* BLACK SABBATH - "Heaven And Hell"
* UFO - "Lights Out"
* KANSAS - "Carry On Wayward Son"
* KISS - "Shout It Out Loud"

STRYPER guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet recently explaiend the band's decision to pay tribute to its influences on the new album:

"We grew up listening to many different styles of music and there is a list of bands that influenced us throughout our musical education. Bands like JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, SCORPIONS, VAN HALEN, UFO, DEEP PURPLE, LED ZEPPELIN, QUEEN, KANSAS and many others, helped to shape our sound and make us who we are today, musically speaking.

"We grew up on the streets of L.A. playing every club in town from Gazzari's to The Whisky to The Troubadour to you name it. We played covers from all the bands mentioned above and we shaped our own sound from listening and performing songs from these classic bands.

"We wanted to step outside the box and record a record that shows you, the fans, where we come from — our historical, musical roots so to speak. It's a side to STRYPER that no one has really seen or heard before, or at least quite like this.

"We performed 'On Fire' by VAN HALEN on a few tours and we also performed 'Breaking The Law' by PRIEST on this last tour. The response was far beyond our expectations each time we performed these songs. People seemed genuinely surprised to hear STRYPER cover these songs and even more surprised to hear STRYPER perform these songs relatively well.

"This will be an opportunity for Robert [Sweet, drums], Oz [Fox, guitar], Tim [Gaines, bass] and myself to loosen up and have some fun.

"For those of you who may think that we're walking away from our faith — you're wrong. We've never been more serious about our faith at any point in our lives. It is, however, important to enjoy what you do and lighten up from time to time. That's what we plan to do.

"This will be a fun record to make and we hope that this comes through, as well as the chance to showcase the abilities that we've been blessed with."

[Mr Walker]

I was never much of a Stryper fan, but that's not a bad tracklist.
I always found the singer's voice kind of annoying, which is a bit ironic coming from a Justin Hawkins fan.

[sadaist]

Do they have to pay the original artists when an album like this is done?

[FORD]

Well, considering Michael Sweet has been singing Boston covers for the last few years, this really ain't all that surprising :biggrin:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qnyUea6G0Uc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qnyUea6G0Uc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[ppg960]

I agree with Ford.
I don't care for Christian Rock so I could care less. They had talent but I'll pass.
We use to nag these two guys in high school when they wore their jean jackets with the big Stryper patch on the back.

[GreenBayLA]

What no Highway to Hell or Runnin with the Devil?!?!??!

[Panamark]

Well thats damn Christian of them, isnt it !

[Mr. Vengeance]

That's great! Now, can we just replace Stryper?

[PETE'S BROTHER]

Stryper, "The Covering" (Big3)
So this is what heaven is like for shred-heads — wall-to-wall 1970s and '80s headbanging anthems, all turned up to 11, played by one of the most talented and inspirational bands of the hair-metal era.
On "The Covering," Stryper sets scripture aside for a bit in favor of the sheer joy of plugging in, turning it way up and rocking out to a dozen classic rock tunes.
These are all songs the band grew up listening to and loving, and the treatment they receive here is reverential. The band adds its trademark layered vocal and guitar harmonies to each track, but sticks faithfully to the original arrangements, infusing each with the Stryper sound and style while showing proper respect to the originals.
The best of the bunch is an absolutely molten rendition of Deep Purple's "Highway Star," with a blazing keyboard solo by quasi-band member Charles Foley. On track after track, singer Michael Sweet summons up unfathomable high notes, some of which only dogs can hear.
The Scorpions' "Blackout" sounds almost exactly like the original, minus Klaus Meine's heavy German accent; it's nice to finally hear this song sung in clear English. Black Sabbath's "Heaven And Hell," perhaps the greatest heavy metal song of all time, has made-for-Stryper lyrics like "The Devil is never a maker."
More theologically problematic (but musically gratifying) is the inclusion of Judas Priest's "Breaking The Law," which doesn't exactly take a stand against wrongdoing. "Shout It Out Loud" is more fluid and less pounding than the Kiss original, but the band's harmonies on the choruses are sparkling.
Ox Fox is perhaps the most underrated 1980s guitarist, and he shines on this disc, flawlessly handling complex solos like the Randy Rhoads masterpiece on Ozzy's "Over The Mountain," as well as his own tasty interpretation of the dueling guitars on Iron Maiden's "The Trooper." And he channels his inner Eddie Van Halen with "On Fire."
CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: The lone Stryper original on the album, "God," hearkens back to the band's classic mid-'80s sound, with the galloping, syncopated bass and drums providing a frenetic foundation for the mayhem above. If "More Than A Man" and "The Way" had a baby, this is what it would sound like.

[PETE'S BROTHER]

thanks...:baaa:

[chefcraig]

Damn, check out the guitarist on this stuff, the playing is surprisingly on the mark.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Per2Km7QqKk&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayFZVZeP490&feature=related

[FORD]

Well, since the thread has been necroposted, we might as well hear what the album turned out like......


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPGmjDHIePo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roBVbOwvf6Y

[FORD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5SycF0Oi5U


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwoYNW7FmvI

[FORD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKKxb0rPods


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P9-YTZk-Yg

[chefcraig]

Wow, what in hell was all of that during "Set Me Free"? How can a guy play note for note copies of EVH and Randy Rhoads, but completely blow Andy Scott's work with Sweet? Yikes, that was awful. :confused13:

[FORD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeA3uebJb7M


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWUz5TXKSRo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1ig4DrfBfs

[Seshmeister]

Christian Rock = Deep Fried Turd

[Seshmeister]

What's the point of this attempt to Xerox songs by proper bands?

Are they going to use it to get gigs in bars?

[kwame k]

The drumming sounds typical of the 80's in terms of playing and production.......

Never could get into this band......vocals and guitars are good, the rhythm section, boring.

[hambon4lif]

Whoever was at the console for "Lights Out" deserves a smack in the back of the head. It wouldn't sound so damn thin if they had the sense to put more bass in the mix.

[FORD]

Christian Rock = Deep Fried Turd

The irony here is that they're playing some songs that are blatantly UNchristian. I'm sure some of the fundagelical types shit a brick when this album came out. Of course many of them already hated Stryper because of the whole "Transvestite Bees for Jesus" look in the 80's anyway. :jesuslol:

[TFM_Dale]

Christian hard rockers STRYPER have added KISS' "Shout It Out Loud" to the list of songs they are recording for their upcoming album of covers, to be released later in the year.

The CD will include STRYPER's renditions of the following classics:

* JUDAS PRIEST - "Breaking The Law"
* IRON MAIDEN - "The Trooper"
* SCORPIONS - "Blackout"
* OZZY OSBOURNE - "Over The Mountain"
* SWEET - "Set Me Free"
* VAN HALEN - "On Fire"
* DEEP PURPLE - "Highway Star"
* BLACK SABBATH - "Heaven And Hell"
* UFO - "Lights Out"
* KANSAS - "Carry On Wayward Son"
* KISS - "Shout It Out Loud"

STRYPER guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet recently explaiend the band's decision to pay tribute to its influences on the new album:

"We grew up listening to many different styles of music and there is a list of bands that influenced us throughout our musical education. Bands like JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, SCORPIONS, VAN HALEN, UFO, DEEP PURPLE, LED ZEPPELIN, QUEEN, KANSAS and many others, helped to shape our sound and make us who we are today, musically speaking.

"We grew up on the streets of L.A. playing every club in town from Gazzari's to The Whisky to The Troubadour to you name it. We played covers from all the bands mentioned above and we shaped our own sound from listening and performing songs from these classic bands.

"We wanted to step outside the box and record a record that shows you, the fans, where we come from — our historical, musical roots so to speak. It's a side to STRYPER that no one has really seen or heard before, or at least quite like this.

"We performed 'On Fire' by VAN HALEN on a few tours and we also performed 'Breaking The Law' by PRIEST on this last tour. The response was far beyond our expectations each time we performed these songs. People seemed genuinely surprised to hear STRYPER cover these songs and even more surprised to hear STRYPER perform these songs relatively well.

"This will be an opportunity for Robert [Sweet, drums], Oz [Fox, guitar], Tim [Gaines, bass] and myself to loosen up and have some fun.

"For those of you who may think that we're walking away from our faith — you're wrong. We've never been more serious about our faith at any point in our lives. It is, however, important to enjoy what you do and lighten up from time to time. That's what we plan to do.

"This will be a fun record to make and we hope that this comes through, as well as the chance to showcase the abilities that we've been blessed with."

Huh, always wondered what those songs would sound like if they were done by a shit band, I would rather buy a Rap album then this, well, maybe not, Taco Bell can have the money though, I'm needing a chalupa.

[kwame k]

Whoever was at the console for "Lights Out" deserves a smack in the back of the head. It wouldn't sound so damn thin if they had the sense to put more bass in the mix.

Typical thin drums.....heavy gated reverb on the snare......toms sound like cardboard....bass drum is bland.

Considering these covers had some great drumming on the originals and a chance for the drummer to shine......if this was a nod to your influences, go back and listen to the originals some more.

[hambon4lif]

Typical thin drums.....heavy gated reverb on the snare......toms sound like cardboard....bass drum is bland.

Considering these covers had some great drumming on the originals and a chance for the drummer to shine......if this was a nod to your influences, go back and listen to the originals some more.Exactly! That aggressive thundering bassline is what made the UFO tune click, and here it's buried so far in the mix I can't even hear it. It just sounds enemic.
If the rythm section wasn't up to the task, they should've just left it alone.

[kwame k]

Is there any bass on The Trooper, as well....

[sadaist]

always wondered what those songs would sound like if they were done by a shit band, I would rather buy a Rap album then this,


Well, I wanna thank Stryper for choosing the song list for the next custom cd I burn to listen to in my truck. Although they will be performed by the original artists. These all sound very bland. Sounds like they recorded them all the very same day without changing any of the sound mix settings either.


If Stryper really wanted to shake things up, they should have covered this......

[Green Manalishi]

Anyone else hear that faint whirring sound ? That's Randy Rhoads rolling in his grave .

[hambon4lif]

Is there any bass on The Trooper, as well....That's a negative.

Who produced this thing? Lou Ferrigno?

I hope to God these are just rough mixes. Charging people money for this mess would be a sin.

[chefcraig]

Well, I wanna thank Stryper for choosing the song list for the next custom cd I burn to listen to in my truck. Although they will be performed by the original artists. These all sound very bland. Sounds like they recorded them all the very same day without changing any of the sound mix settings either.


I hear ya. About the only "covers" album that really worked and didn't leave me running for the originals was Bowie's Pin Ups. That, and that semi-obscure Everybody Wants Some VH tribute album.

[lesfunk]

The only thing they're accomplishing is proving how inferior they are to the Real Deal

[FORD]

I hear ya. About the only "covers" album that really worked and didn't leave me running for the originals was Bowie's Pin Ups. .

I'd say Bowie actually improved a couple of those songs.....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCgNCczbixc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPGZbqhPCjA

[Etienne]

Damn, check out the guitarist on this stuff, the playing is surprisingly on the mark.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Per2Km7QqKk&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayFZVZeP490&feature=related

I agree... there's not much to complain about the guitar work in this two tracks... but the same old problem, when a singer has to do a CVH song...

[sonrisa salvaje]

I know its not very christianly of me to say, but the vocals on Over the Mountain absolutely suck.

[Shagg]

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/reviewpics/strypercoveringnew.jpg

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=12932163

Review: Stryper's cover album a heavenly delight
By WAYNE PARRY, Associated Press (AP)
Feb 16, 2:23 pm ET
Stryper, "The Covering" (Big3)

So this is what heaven is like for shred-heads — wall-to-wall 1970s and '80s headbanging anthems, all turned up to 11, played by one of the most talented and inspirational bands of the hair-metal era.

On "The Covering," Stryper sets scripture aside for a bit in favor of the sheer joy of plugging in, turning it way up and rocking out to a dozen classic rock tunes.

These are all songs the band grew up listening to and loving, and the treatment they receive here is reverential. The band adds its trademark layered vocal and guitar harmonies to each track, but sticks faithfully to the original arrangements, infusing each with the Stryper sound and style while showing proper respect to the originals.

The best of the bunch is an absolutely molten rendition of Deep Purple's "Highway Star," with a blazing keyboard solo by quasi-band member Charles Foley. On track after track, singer Michael Sweet summons up unfathomable high notes, some of which only dogs can hear.

The Scorpions' "Blackout" sounds almost exactly like the original, minus Klaus Meine's heavy German accent; it's nice to finally hear this song sung in clear English. Black Sabbath's "Heaven And Hell," perhaps the greatest heavy metal song of all time, has made-for-Stryper lyrics like "The Devil is never a maker."

More theologically problematic (but musically gratifying) is the inclusion of Judas Priest's "Breaking The Law," which doesn't exactly take a stand against wrongdoing. "Shout It Out Loud" is more fluid and less pounding than the Kiss original, but the band's harmonies on the choruses are sparkling.

Oz Fox is perhaps the most underrated 1980s guitarist, and he shines on this disc, flawlessly handling complex solos like the Randy Rhoads masterpiece on Ozzy's "Over The Mountain," as well as his own tasty interpretation of the dueling guitars on Iron Maiden's "The Trooper." And he channels his inner Eddie Van Halen with "On Fire."

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: The lone Stryper original on the album, "God," hearkens back to the band's classic mid-'80s sound, with the galloping, syncopated bass and drums providing a frenetic foundation for the mayhem above. If "More Than A Man" and "The Way" had a baby, this is what it would sound like.

[chefcraig]

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=12932163

Review: Stryper's cover album a heavenly delight
By WAYNE PARRY, Associated Press (AP)
Feb 16, 2:23 pm ET
Stryper, "The Covering" (Big3)

So this is what heaven is like for shred-heads — wall-to-wall 1970s and '80s headbanging...

Any reason in particular for reprinting the 9th post of this thread? I mean, other than offering some :hagar3: for your Facebook page?

[Shagg]

Any reason in particular for reprinting the 9th post of this thread? I mean, other than offering some :hagar3: for your Facebook page?

My bad. Didn't see that one since it didn't include the link. I will post a different review.

[Shagg]

http://nashvillehype.com/blog/stryper-the-covering-the-only-album-review-you-will-ever-need/



Stryper – “The Covering” – The Only Album Review You Will Ever Need!
By Paul King

The only band a kid with radical Christian parents could listen to in the 80's
If there’s one thing I know for certain, it’s this: Stryper will always ROCK in my book.

I was one of those kids with parents who went off the deep end religiously and essentially banned all music that wasn’t “Christian” in the home – noble to be sure – ridiculous in a practical manner.

True Story: I loved KISS from the moment I heard them, and up until the time some random missionary preacher came around saying KISS were “Kings In Satan’s Service” and Desmond Child (the famous songwriter) was really ‘Demon Child’, Satan’s own spawn on earth renamed “Gene Simmons”, my dad was cool enough to buy me all the KISS albums and cards and posters and stuff. The preacher was just trying to ‘save the kids’ from the evils rock-n-roll. Not long after that traveling preacher came though, all my KISS stuff was ripped off my walls and burned (along with Alice Cooper and Ted Nugent) because that’s what he told parents they needed to do with this evil – which virtually assured my soul for the devil because I wanted to murder someone after that!

Needless to say musically, my home sucked raw eggs there after.

Carmen, who was fine for what he was, was not what I wanted to hear. Petra were okay, and Bob was a great guitar player, but they got wrapped up in the wussy keyboard sounds of Degarmo & Key (who for one brief moment I thought I liked), so they pretty much ended up sucking too. It wasn’t until KANSAS somehow were branded “Christian” enough to be accepted at Christian roller-skate night that I was able to hear something I thought was even remotely worth a damn musically – “Carry On Wayward Son” was played in my room over, and over, and over (no, I’m not making any of this up – and I mustn’t forget the Rez Band which, to this day because of the recording techniques and guitar tones and rock attitude of laying it all on the line, rule. ‘Awaiting Your Reply’ is still very solid all around).

Then out of no where came Stryper. Thank GOD for Stryper. I was freakin’ going insane with the crap my parents were forcing me to listen to.

Look, I’m not going ot start a sermon here, but I’m just going to tell you parents who are Christians, who are raising boys — society has sissy-fied boys to the point they might as well be raising all little girls. Christianity is so full of ‘meekness’ and ‘sacrifice’ and ‘humble’ they forgot how to raise men — so I’m telling you – boys are meant to play with toy trucks, tear up everything they get their hands on, be aggresive, and ROCK — and if you’re having your kids growing up listening to watered down Kenny G (Christian music is full of that crap), you’re going to be in trouble. Throw a dress on the kid and get it over with (BTW, I always found it funny that Jesus could get so ticked off he destroyed half a city block, but if a kid showed the smallest amount of aggression because of the great rock music he was listening to he needed a Paxil to calm him down – or Jesus). Okay, that’s the end of my rant on that. But it makes my point:

I am a Stryper kid. An aggressive, head banging, fist in the air rock-n-roll boy. I didn’t like all the Michael W. Smith “Friends of friends are friends cause that’s how you become friends and can’t we all just get along and be friends” girly crap Christian music — and what some random traveling preacher stole, Stryper returned. Rock and Metal once again filled my speakers and I’m sorry to say so bluntly, but here we go, I got my balls back! I could Rock again. Game on!


And man, were my parents pissed that the lyrics were ‘clean’. Oh, they just couldn’t STAND that Stryper was preaching the same gospel they were. Doing research for this review I came across this video which tells about those times back then – and this was really how it was, I lived this — my brother and I could be one of these poor idiot kids interviewed in this video (and I didn’t know Pastor Chuck even existed back then, but when I found this video it dawned on me why I felt SO at home in a Calvary Chapel church – they ‘got’ it even then and they still ‘get’ it).


So, how much more pissed would my parents be now to know that Stryper has gone where no other Christian band has gone – to the roots of heavy metal and the songs that every Christian kid grew up with, even if their parents didn’t know it – for an album full of great covers?

I’ll tell you how, they wouldn’t care. Because just like everyone else that grew up during those highly ridiculous times in religious history, even my parents, after the divorce and affairs and the cheating and all that, lost their sanctimonious right to look down on everyone around them and had to accept the fact they they were human too, who like everyone, only made it by with the Grace of God. “Stryper covering KISS? Oh, that’s nice honey. Go play with your friends.” “Stryper is having Eddie over to play? Iron Maiden you say? That’s good, just don’t get hurt.” Such is life for anyone who survived those years of sheer stupidity and hypocrisy.

So the rumors are true – Stryper has done what every single Christian kid who was raised in an over-bearing Christian household always wished they would do — Stick it to our parents by covering great songs by great artist we always loved but couldn’t listen to openly. What they should get for it is an album that’s 4 times platinum in America and 3 times platinum in the rest of the world and all the praise and record sales they can stand. Stryper has done it again – they have returned rock and metal to the masses and I’m just going to lay it on the line — they’ve never sounded so good.

That doesn’t stop the idiot ‘Christian’ police from questioning their belief. Even today we have so-called preachers who make a living scaring the beJesus out of duped parents who can’t see that really all the preacher wants is their money. It’s a fight over money! And it’s straight from the Saul Alinsky playbook – Find a target, focus on it, criticize it, and extort money to ‘fight’ it. But pressure is still pressure and it’s for this reason the guys say they felt compelled to add at least one original Christian tune to the record – thankfully, it rocks just as hard as the rest of the record – so it’s not so bad. And besides, Stryper IS a Christian band (even if they are still trying to prove their salvation to others nealy 30 years later).

Bottom line – 2011 should be the year of Stryper. Releasing an album like this is the smartest thing I’ve seen a band do in a long, long time. It keeps them fresh, relevant, respected among peers, and rocking the world another year. Brilliant.

‘The Covering’ covers a lot of great music – and I’m telling you right now, it does not disappoint. I mean, these guys are tighter than they’ve ever been – Tim Gaines is back in the band rocking the bass, Michael Sweet‘s voice strangely improves with age (how he could get any better defies logic, but there ya go), Oz Fox is still just flat out amazing on lead guitar (I wanted to be that dude!), and Robert Sweet‘s opening on “Over The Mountain” leaves little question to how good he remains as the drummer.

You know these songs, so I’m not going to go through a track by track listing. You just need to know they’ve respected these songs, respected their original creators, and respected themselves by literally turning out one of the finest pieces of recorded heavy metal and rock music in years. You just need to buy this album, period.

It’s a loud album – makes you feel like you’re being punched in the face repeatedly, but in a good way. If we had a star system that went to 10 I’d give it an 11, and tell you that’s the level you need to turn it up to as well.

And a couple more things – Rob Halford commented on this album, and if anyone in Rock should be trusted to know what he’s talking about it should be that dude – and he has this to say:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKEJ5draLcA

And last – Stryper will be coming to Nashville March 18th, 2011 to the Wildhorse Saloon. The last time they played there they completely sold out the venue – so if you’re planning on going, get your tickets early. They’re going to be doing these songs as well as several Stryper classics we’ve all come to know and love. Rock on.

The Covering – Album

Judas Priest – Breaking The Law

Iron Maiden – The Trooper

Scorpions – Blackout

Ozzy Osbourne – Over The Mountain

Sweet – Set Me Free

Van Halen – On Fire

Deep Purple – Highway Star

Black Sabbath – Heaven & Hell

UFO – Lights Out

Kansas – Carry On Wayward Son

Kiss – Shout It Out Loud

Led Zepplin – Immigrant Song

Stryper – God

[Shagg]

2011 STRYPER TOUR DATES

3/ 2/ 11 Seattle, WA El Corazon
3/ 3/ 11 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
3/ 5/ 11 Santa Clara, CA Avalon
3/ 8/ 11 San Juan Capistrano, CA Coach House
3/ 9/ 11 Los Angeles, CA Club Nokia
3/11/11 Las Vegas, NV Santa Fe Station
3/13/11 Lubbock, TX Jake's Sports Cafe
3/14/11 Houston, TX Scout Bar
3/15/11 San Antonio, TX Backstage Live
3/16/11 Dallas, TX Trees
3/18/11 Nashville, TN Wildhorse Saloon
3/19/11 Detroit, MI Harpos Theatre
3/20/11 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
3/22/11 Baltimore, MD Bourbon Street Ballroom
3/23/11 Pittsburgh, PA Diesel
3/24/11 New York, NY B.B. Kings
3/26/11 Foxborough, MA Showcase Live
5/26/11 Guadalajara, Mexico Auditorio Telmex
5/27/11 Monterrey, Mexico Cafe Iguana
5/28/11 Mexico City, Mexico Vive Cuervo Salon
6/10/11 Solvesborg, SWEDEN Sweden Rock Festival
6/24/11 Goarshausen, Germany Rock The Nation Festival
6/25/11 Gräfenhainichen, Germany Rock The Nation Festival
7/31/11 Zion, IL Ignite Festival

More to come...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKEJ5draLcA

[Seshmeister]

http://nashvillehype.com/blog/stryper-the-covering-the-only-album-review-you-will-ever-need/



Stryper – “The Covering” – The Only Album Review You Will Ever Need!
By Paul King


Not really a review, just the opinion of some carpet fitter on the internet.

[Diamondjimi]

That drummer is such a woman.... :biggrin:

[FORD]

I am a Stryper kid. An aggressive, head banging, fist in the air rock-n-roll boy. I didn’t like all the Michael W. Smith “Friends of friends are friends cause that’s how you become friends and can’t we all just get along and be friends” girly crap Christian music

:lmao: Yeah, that's certainly true enough......


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbPKaIozS-c

Not to mention he claimed to be best friends with a certain Chimp in the previous decade. :sick0020:

[Seshmeister]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/3949156302_208e7c119a.jpg

[chefcraig]

I was going to dump Shagg's spam, but if we can get some comedy mileage out of it...

[Unchainme]

I sort of like in Stryper in a weird way.

I don't like have any of the records or anything, but I think in terms of the hair rock genre they are just interesting to look at.

Also, Michael Sweet said in on the VH1 "Most unmetal moments", he said he didn't care about the other singers of VH, that the only real singer that mattered was Dave :hitch:

Even the dudes from Stryper knows, IT'S DAVE OR THE GRAVE.

[FORD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eDsXN7IsPg

[ace diamond]

Not really a review, just the opinion of some carpet fitter on the internet.

don't you mean "Cannon Fodder"?

[Shagg]

Not really a review, just the opinion of some carpet fitter on the internet.

True, could be any fan boy. Here's another review:

http://metalodyssey.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/stryper-the-covering-a-commanding-celebration-of-hard-rock-and-heavy-metal-classics/

STRYPER “The Covering” – A Commanding Celebration of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Classics

STRYPER – Christian Heavy Metal and Hard Rock’s genre pioneer, influence, household name and undisputed legend of a band are back again. This time around, they are releasing an album of 12 covers songs with an additional original song. This original song is aptly titled: God. This substantial undertaking of covering such lifetime dependable classics is known as The Covering, to be released on Big 3 Records on February 15, 2011.

Stryper. The name alone resonates the positive energy and glorious power of their Christian belief and unity, not to mention they are one incredibly talented group of musicians. To understand and accept each respective Heavy Music genre is to be open minded to the bands that illuminate each genre, like a shooting star in the midnight sky. Stryper has been a shooting star for Christian Heavy Metal and Hard Rock since their 1984 debut The Yellow and Black Attack. Spanning four decades as a band of any genre is an admirable feat, while still being able to legitimize their sound and style through quality musicianship, after all these years, to multiple generations of fans, is undeniably respectable. For me, this is what Stryper has consistently accomplished to date.

There has been that moment when Stryper tried their hand at breaking away from their lyrical style and to a degree, musical style as well, with 1990′s Against The Law proving they were just as muscular and driven as a band than ever before. Stryper has branched out once again with The Covering, justifying they are not just an enormous Heavy Metal Band, they are colossal fans of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock’s roots. The Covering offers up the stylistic depth of Stryper, a Heavy Metal aptitude that they have bestowed upon songs that many of us old and new school Metalheads find uncompromisingly sacred.

From Iron Maiden to Kansas, with the Ronnie James Dio era Black Sabbath in-between, Stryper doesn’t need to wear their influences on their sleeves… they cover them with the upmost Heavy Metal reverence on The Covering. It is with much applause from this Classic Rock admirer, that a much prominent hit from the catalog of Sweet is exposed for it’s timeless Rockin’ sheen. Set Me Free is credibly set free with Stryper’s trademark Arena style vibe, acknowledging Sweet for their rightful place among Rock legends. Michael Sweet never wavers vocally throughout The Covering, he only makes each song rise with their power and energy that they originally were christened with by their creators.

As stated by me so often in the past, nothing beats the original. However, when done with acute and painstaking care, an album of cover songs can Rock my world and leave me appreciative and begging for more when done the Stryper way. How difficult can it be to cover a Scorpions song? Klaus Meine’s vocals alone are so unique and identifiable it’s simply scary. If it were up to me, I would never mess with trying to cover a Scorpions song… only Stryper did just that. On Blackout, I cannot control the enthusiastic feeling that devours my senses, as Michael Sweet belts out the lyrics to this classic Scorpions song. The only thing I can say about the cover of Highway Star is: holy Metal does Stryper embellish this song with impressive guitar driven prowess! And it’s built on speed!

Any tried and true Metalhead will come down with a serious case of ostrich bumps up and down their body, as the psych-you-out adrenaline bursts within like a volcano, each time they hear Heaven and Hell by the Ronnie James Dio fronted Black Sabbath. Stryper may never exceed those heavenly supercharges of Heavy Metal ecstasy that I feel from the original Heaven and Hell… only Stryper does come close. It may be that this song means so damn much, to so many of us, coupled with Stryper’s anointing Heaven and Hell with their approval of influence, that in turn triggers such an ignited feeling within my Metal soul. I’m certain the late Ronnie James Dio is smiling down, from above.

Over The Mountain is yet another super Heavy Metal classic from a legend of legends… Ozzy Osbourne. No, Oz Fox nor Michael Sweet are going to out-do the late Randy Rhoads on guitar, nor will Michael Sweet become an instant sound alike to Ozzy either. The Metal point is, this is Stryper simply covering a song with a sincerity that heavily seeps through their music in an uncanny way, which at the end of the Metal day cannot be ignored or denied. When I can catch myself singing along to these covered classics from Heavy Metal’s storied past, the realization sets in that Stryper has done good. Damn good too.

Carry On Wayward Son from an ultra-influential band like Kansas is untouchable right? Well, Stryper touches it and fires up their version with the heightened emotion it was always meant to release. If there is one song on The Covering that doesn’t smack it down for me, it’s Stryper’s version of The Immigrant Song by the infinitely legendary Led Zeppelin. Yes, some classics are best left untouched and Led Zeppelin is a monumental band to cover, regardless of the song. It just comes across as Stryper not staying true to the original hardness of The Immigrant Song, any slight watering down of such a classic will stand out and scream at me in a millisecond. Where’s Great White when I need The Immigrant Song covered?

The lone original song on The Covering, as I mentioned earlier is God. Whoa, this song is super saturated with emotion and can easily be looked upon as one of the most inspiring songs Stryper has ever written and recorded. It’s ostrich bumps time folks… and God is a candidate for Michael Sweet’s finest vocal performance of his very own legendary career. I found myself playing this song the most since I’ve obtained The Covering from Best Metal Buddy and Metal Researcher… Scott Coverdale. Yes, Scott has given The Covering his highest of Metal praise and understandably so. Stone’s Message to Stryper: God is one “heck” of a song and The Covering is one hell of an album. Metal be thy name.

I’m pleased as a fan, that Styper has shown the world that they do have Hard Rock and Heavy Metal influences that are not of the flower garden variety. What else would any Stryper or Heavy Metal fan expect? Michael Sweet has his affiliation as a member of Boston and the Heavy Rock family tree does extend outside the lines of the Christian genre for Stryper. These guys are human, just like me and you, they are not martyrs sent to us from the Vatican. This is a band that has been influenced by some of the most iconic acts in the Heavy Rockin’ land and The Covering proves it. Stryper will always be a Christian Metal Band and I sincerely respect that. I also respect the fact that Stryper has taken this path down Hard Rock and Heavy Metal roots lane and covered some of the greatest songs of Rock Music’s history.

[Shagg]

I sort of like in Stryper in a weird way.

I don't like have any of the records or anything, but I think in terms of the hair rock genre they are just interesting to look at.

Also, Michael Sweet said in on the VH1 "Most unmetal moments", he said he didn't care about the other singers of VH, that the only real singer that mattered was Dave :hitch:

Even the dudes from Stryper knows, IT'S DAVE OR THE GRAVE.

Ya, Stryper are big VH fans. They think the world of those guys. As they should. It's why they have had "On Fire" on their setlist for decades now.

[Diamondjimi]

That's a negative.

Who produced this thing? Lou Ferrigno?


:lol:

[Diamondjimi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eDsXN7IsPg

Piped in vocals, horrible bass playing.......

Hmm, a familiar formula. :rolleyes:

[FORD]

Nah, that video's from the 80's. I don't think they had the proper vocal-piping technology then. Of course that doesn't mean there couldn't have been a little "post production" on the video.

And yeah, I'll concede that Tim Gaines is the "weakest link" in the band.

[FORD]

Their first "cover tune".....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXk5gN4kUUw

[Shagg]

Their best cover tune: (Admittedly pre-final mix)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWUz5TXKSRo

UPDATED 2011 STRYPER TOUR DATES

3/ 2/ 11 Seattle, WA El Corazon
3/ 3/ 11 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
3/ 5/ 11 Santa Clara, CA Avalon
3/ 8/ 11 San Juan Capistrano, CA Coach House
3/ 9/ 11 Los Angeles, CA Club Nokia
3/11/11 Las Vegas, NV Santa Fe Station
3/13/11 Lubbock, TX Jake's Sports Cafe
3/14/11 Houston, TX Scout Bar
3/15/11 San Antonio, TX Backstage Live
3/16/11 Dallas, TX Trees
3/18/11 Nashville, TN Wildhorse Saloon
3/19/11 Detroit, MI Harpos Theatre
3/20/11 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
3/22/11 Baltimore, MD Bourbon Street Ballroom
3/23/11 Pittsburgh, PA Diesel
3/24/11 New York, NY B.B. Kings
3/26/11 Foxborough, MA Showcase Live
3/27/11 Poughkeepsie, NY Chance Theater
3/29/11 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
3/30/11 Farmingdale, NY The Crazy Donkey (w/ BulletBoys)
5/26/11 Guadalajara, Mexico Auditorio Telmex
5/27/11 Monterrey, Mexico Cafe Iguana
5/28/11 Mexico City, Mexico Vive Cuervo Salon
6/10/11 Solvesborg, SWEDEN Sweden Rock Festival
6/11/11 Oslo, Norway Rockefeller Music Hall
6/13/11 Helsinki, Finland Tavastia Club
6/16/11 Madrid, Spain Joy Eslava Theater
6/17/11 Barakaldo, Spain Rock Star Live
6/18/11 Barcelona, Spain Bikini
6/23/11 The Hague, Netherlands The Uithof (w/ Cinderella)
6/24/11 Goarshausen, Germany Rock The Nation Festival
6/25/11 Gräfenhainichen, Germany Rock The Nation Festival
7/31/11 Zion, IL Ignite Festival