Michael Sweet interview on When We Were Kings, Rob Halford, hypocrisy, Bible, Tim Gaines & more

[@MetalPilgrim]

What do you think about the new Stryper album When We Were Kings?

[@christianhaynes1954]

Love the new stryper album . They are a great band . Met Robert sweet and recorded a 3 song demo with him and it was a blast ! Good dudes for sure 👌

[@christianhaynes1954]

Just subscribed brother 👍

[@MetalPilgrim]

@@christianhaynes1954 Thanks man, glad to see you here!

[@rammerjamz]

'End of Days' is the classic Rocker we always get from the Yellow and Black Attack. When We Were Kings is my Wife's favorite. That Apache never speaks much. But she remembered she was a high school cheerleader when Michael announced it, Tuesday night in Columbus. Betrayed by Love, Sympathy, Trinity, none of it ever feels like Record Company-forced 'album fill', but rather Christian ideals we all share. They are still the Kings of Power Metal. Accept, Winger, Stryper, etc...thanks for staying you, fellas. We are spoiled rotten.

[@chipbagley4744]

@@MetalPilgrim Very impressive!!!

[@ToadMeister313]

I appreciate Michael's honesty and transparency. I respect him for being real and truthful.

[@themadbassist795]

Stryper and Bride are my two favorite Christian bands. When Michael said that you should never lose your passion to create music, that really does hold true. I’ve strived for years to be a part of a band that actually broke into the scene, and with patience and some great timing on God’s part, my passion came to fruition this year. I’m now in a Christian band called “Transcendent” and we are signed to Roxx records and dropped our first album “Awaken” back in July. At 54, I didn’t think it was ever going to happen, but it did!! I’m still blown away by God’s grace every day!! Never lose that passion to create!! 👊😎

[@BESHREWSANCTUM]

The singer of bride Dale Thompson believes in universalism. He doesn't believe that Christians are going to heaven. He believes all people in the whole world are going to heaven regardless if you believe in Jesus or not. Dale Thompson is corrupt. He's teaching a false gospel. You might like bride's music, but Dale Thompson is falling away from the Lord and is teaching a different gospel

[@dspencer1201]

@@BESHREWSANCTUM Thanks for saying this. Honestly, back when Bride first came out - was it 1987 - I didn't like them and didn't trust them. When Michael left Stryper, I saw Stryper play Knotts Berry Farm and they had Dale Thompson sing for them and I felt something was very wrong with Dale. I've felt things like this about others and it always comes out that they are not true believers.

[@BESHREWSANCTUM]

@@dspencer1201 I appreciate your comment.,.. We have to start being like John the Baptist in these last days

[@rodzillarox4882]

@@BESHREWSANCTUM are you certain his beliefs are that now bro? They just played at immortal fest 2 weeks ago so maybe you should check and see if that is still is his beliefs before making a public statement that may not be true. That was years ago

[@BESHREWSANCTUM]

@@rodzillarox4882 yeah my brother talks to him on Facebook and my brother confronted him on it and he blocked my brother

[@ozzie4306]

Growing up in a religious family, I always had to hide my heavy metal tapes and records from my mom. Then stryper came around and I could finally blast heavy metal without worrying!! Still have the soldiers under command record. Classic!!

[@stevelamonica2297]

Awww, Metal Pilgrim. I watched so many of your videos and and really enjoyed them and respected you. But Stryper? STRYPER??!! Probably the cheesiest, most dishonest, ridiculous band ever. Respect level plummeting. Ugh.

[@jackluminous6024]

​@@stevelamonica2297 You're missing out, dude... Open your closed little mind. Stryper Rocks... ⚔️

[@Skycladatdusk78]

​@@stevelamonica2297 I agree, horrible band.

[@rodzillarox4882]

@@stevelamonica2297 let me guess you probably have never seen them live right? I’ve been listening to them since I was 17 and I’m in my 50s so I’ve totally enjoyed everything that they put out. Musically they blow away just about any band out there. Sorry dude there was absolutely nothing cheesy about this man. They are highly respected among many metal bands that grew up in the 80s and 90s.

[@DonaldBrooks-jm9wv]

Stryper is a great band love them been listening to them for a long time they rock and there message is great there music has helped me through certain times in my life

[@davidscottlane7771]

Great interview. Love STRYPER and the new album is fantastic. The band is better now than in the 80’s

[@coryballinger5307]

I’m 52yo. Been listening to Stryper since 1985 when they first hit the scene. I just finally seen them live this past weekend in Indiana what a blast

[@mrearbrass]

Stryper rules, and the new album is awesome!

[@MetalPilgrim]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@KrisWard-xs2pr]

I feel almost bad or wrong to say this the new album is a major disappointment except end of days and trinity

[@jimmawnai6164]

Stryper new album is the best album....they rocked...

[@JosephHaring]

Stryper has been my favorite band since 1984. They just keep churning out great albums. Their sound is unique, their look is unique, I just love everything about them. Keep up the great work Michael. 🔥

[@KrisWard-xs2pr]

@@JosephHaring there something lackluster just be honest

[@newmexicosaint]

Thank you for putting this together! Thanks to MS for doing this interview‼️ Great interview. As far as the album goes I have listened to it 2x all the way through. Digging most of it. It takes me a while to warm up to new music but they do so well!

[@jeffmcpeek2526]

Stryper is on a massive roll. Their last 6 albums are killer ! They are the band to support.Great interview !

[@RiotAct911]

This band sounds better today than they did in the eighties . Amazing musicians!

[@Truthjustice23]

Hello!...of course. Now the are more mature right 😄

[@GoldMineArcade]

What??? I'm not taking nothing away from the newer albums. I have everything album they ever released, Michael's solo stuff and Roberts solo album too. Their 1st 4 albums are the best

[@theantidarkmind2147]

It's great to see you covering Stryper, can't wait to get When We Were Kings.

[@MetalPilgrim]

I can’t believe it is the first time I’ve had Michael on the show! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lovefrequencies3721]

Amazing interview 😎 thank you for this great video with Michael Sweet 🫶🏻

[@ianmartens5286]

Thanks for this! Stryper has been a huge influence.

[@jasoncherry4221]

no other band releases as much fantastic material .love the new album ,great interview

[@ericmulerometaldrummer]

I've seen Stryper several times now and I was a little late to them, but they bring it! A great LIVE band!!

[@MetalPilgrim]

I’ve actually never seen Stryper live yet… hope to catch them soon!

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

​@@MetalPilgrim definitely check them out when you get the chance. Excellent live band.

[@gimmetaco2037]

Solid interview, first. Thanks for getting it. One thing I can absolutely agree with, after being a fan since 1984/85, this band has gotten better. They have hit plateaus, and even taken steps backward but they NOW are better than they’ve ever been. The musicianship, led by Michael is superb. Production quality, same. Lyrically bolder than ever, thoughtful, challenging, timely. All that. So if you aren’t a fan because they’re Christians, give the music a chance. Listen through this album and others a couple times. It grows on you and adds a positive aspect to your life that you may not otherwise experience. All this keeps me coming back and makes me excited whenever Stryper releases a new album. Again, great interview and insights to one of the best metal bands out there, ever.

[@MARSHOMEWORLD]

Such a wonderful thing that this band has not just had a Resurgence in popularity as the fickle tides of metal have come and gone and the various Ebbs and flows of this that and the other taste-wise. That they always were a great power metal band. Saw the many times back in the day and every show they delivered both musically and especially vocally

[@sebastiancripta91]

Good interview. It's always good to hear from Michael; he's so talented and smart. I love that man! Stryper RULES!

[@StevenWard]

Only been getting in to Michael's singing and music recently through Sweet & Lynch. What a voice and what a nice guy

[@tylerthescreamofficial98]

You’re missing out. But sweet and lynch is another killer project! Check out strypers last 6 albums

[@RonnieLopez-vj4ou]

Real talk....Stryper fucking Rocks! And they're music always gets me thru and helps me over come whatever I may be going through..

[@jesusmylordsaviorking3726]

you need to find a song dude that will help you with your foul language.

[@RonnieLopez-vj4ou]

@@jesusmylordsaviorking3726 foul language? I clearly didn't mean it in a vulgar way. It was more of a adjective, or an expression. So how ahead and keep casting stones, I'm sure your without sin. Have a great day....and God FUCKING bless you.

[@stevenrobinson6106]

@@jesusmylordsaviorking3726 well their song says god damn evil. God damn it all haha. Goddamn you haha. Fuck isn’t blasphemy. I think stryper is blaspheming with god damn in their song 😢

[@dananthony6258]

These guys might be the most underrated guitarist of the 80’s.

[@redermint407]

Just saw Stryper Tuesday night in Ohio. MS came across as a very nice guy who cares about their fans. He seems pretty humble for a rock star.

[@rockerbob949]

I wrote to the band in the early days asking if I could join the fan club… And got a return letter that said we don’t even have a fan club yet… On yellow paper and everything!

[@robertcamp5667]

Really happy to see you finally interview Michael! And with the discussion of singing and tuning down, don't forget that Michael is also playing guitar at same time. He also has several recent collaboration albums with Tracii Guns and George Lynch 🤘

[@michaelharrington75]

Singing and playing guitar at the same time is nothing unusual. It's been going on for decades.

[@KenKopper]

A first as a Christian teen I wasn't a fan of Stryper but now that I'm older I've grown into a big fan of theirs.

[@lonzojones4428]

It's been fantastic to see these guys grow from the 80's up til Today. STRYPER is one of the few 80's bands that has gone the Distance and have had marvelous Albums after albums. The New album is fantastic. Michael is an excellent speaker and what he says is the Truth. Still my favorite band since I was a young teenager.

[@benrobinson3438]

I saw Stryper this past Sunday, and it rocked! It was also the LOUDEST concert I've ever been to!

[@comcoff1728]

One of the biggest thing I appreciate about Mike and stryper in general is how hard they work. Mike is always doing something Writing, composing, recording, touring, side projects, stryper etc...

[@SilverM1y]

I agree with Michael, the message the message the message. Every member of the band is a phenomenal musician, but whether any of them are the greatest at what they do is debatable as everyone has their own opinions. But, Stryper's message is incomparable, it has little to no competition, which is why they are the Greatest Band ever and we are blessed to have them walking among us. Love the new album. Divided By Design is one of my all time favorite Stryper songs. Great interview!

[@longlivedio3498]

I love the honesty about backing tracks

[@Trap-Joe]

I never really paid much attention to Stryper when I was young and while learning the shred guitar, but not too long ago (decades later) I’ve decided to check out their latest material and I ended up getting their entire catalog! And I’m very glad that I did, and I wish more bands in the Heavy Metal world back in the day have had the chance to spread that great inspiring Christian message… God Bless…

[@dougpwilson6663]

Haven't heard it yet, but definitely look forward to getting it.

[@MetalMarcJK]

Thanks for the great interview with Michael. WWWKings kicks ass!🤘🏻👊🏻

[@mrmitch5054]

Glad to hear you say you are a Christian Vlad. I thought there was something special about you. May God bless you.

[@MistValleyGaming]

Great Interview. Thank you to all involved.

[@alonicoleman9553]

Thank You Mr.Sweet for Speaking up for Truth.

[@billmcfarland1692]

Nice interview! Thanks! Especially for engaging with a Christian band.

[@rondihoover5605]

I saw Stryper the first time when I was 18 that was 40 yrs ago. I met them for the first time last weekend in Shippensburg PA. ❤❤

[@MrJcapker]

Ok I have been a Stryper Fan since 1984! I love the new modern music tone Michael is talking about! In fact the last 5 or so albums, including this new one, is there best music ever! I love the 80’s era but this new era is the best! Michael Sweet is also one of the greatest guitar going today bar none!

[@BigLewBBQ]

Thank you for doing this! I’ve liked Stryper since 1985.

[@Aeyrie1]

I remember seeing Stryper back during the “To Hell With The Devil” tour. They were great then. They’re still great.

[@lorettabrock2826]

Oh My Goodness.....Stryper. has done it!!! Their best Album production ever; hands down! This Albums songs can melt your soul. The content of songs take you back 40 years to Strypers first step on the scene and subsequent years of great songs and constant presence in the rock/metal world. Thank you Stryper for the uplift of this Album⁰.

[@toddaldworth2272]

Great interview and didn’t know the whole new twist and passion that STRYPER has with killer songwriting!

[@chi-townlegend1417]

I was at the show at the Arcada Theater. 40 years and still strong. 💪 Stryper still Kings 🤴

[@darthplumbervideos]

Excellent interview!

[@MKO-USA]

When We Were KIngs is 100% certify 80s metal sound. Great LP from Stryper. I love the heavier sound and cool G solos.

[@DonaldBrooks-jm9wv]

Stryper is s great band they freKin rock great music and message there music helps me get through whatever im going through it gives me hope

[@Matti_Sisu]

Glam Stryper is fun for sure, but Heavy Stryper is amazing! I still listen to Take It To The Cross repeatedly lol 🤘❤️

[@byronhubbard1510]

Great Amazing Interview

[@MetalArchives06]

Wow this is a fire interview

[@darrindavis1019]

I remember seeing Stryper in 86 or 87 in my High School quad area during lunch break in Downey, CA. They're a great band.

[@michaellakous311]

Good interview. I watch a good amount of Strypers interviews and you did a good job. 😊

[@stephenperkins4828]

New Stryper When We We’re Kings Is AGreat Album Stryper Just Keep Getting Better Like A Fine Wine 777 Stryper Fan Allways Michale Sweet is A Great FrontMan God Bless The Boyz In Stryper Yellow and BLack Attack Forever 😊

[@tjflash60]

Thanks for the interviews.

[@mattskustomkreations]

What is a “hypocrat”? I’m assuming you mean “hypocrite”. The bass player in my band spent a day hanging out with Michael back in the early 90s and he told us how chill he was. Thanks for interviewing him.

[@jasongoad1084]

Hot the new album on CD and signed LP. This album rocks! Stryper just keeps getting better and better.

[@David-vw3mu]

I never had the chance to see Stryper but I am a fan metal is about the fans and the music

[@Dodgeman325]

Great album. Looking forward to live show next month. Trinity and Divided By Design are my favs.

[@timlotter7891]

Great Interview!!🎸🎶🤘😇

[@mylesmilliman6166]

Wow dude, you're a great interviewer. It sounds more like a fireside conversation than the standard awkward interview. You have a very comfortable, non-pretentious way about you and I can tell that it makes the interviewee comfortable and more willing to open up. Eddie Trunk should be taking notes from you lol!

[@groovykaps677]

Saw them in Illinois. They wooped azz. Great concert

[@jesshurley2284]

This is one of the few bands from the 80s that actually got better in the past 15 years or so than they ever were. This is coming from a guy who grew up in the 80's.

[@TomGiusti]

I agree ...of all the 80's bands....they are done of the only that are creating new material.....

[@patparadiserockstation]

I added a few of the ones to my playlist!

[@Rock4UNow]

Great album but the last one became one of my favorites since Against The Law.

[@rodneyjeffery9726]

cool man

[@dalebowley]

I loved the Against The Law album!!!

[@81artmonk]

I thought this was their least heavy album since NMHTP and on. They had some heavy riffs but the totality of the songs were mellower.

[@HeavyMetal-HardRock]

Wrong! You must have listened to it on your phone,..... I have the owl man the CD and is definitely one of the slower hard rocking harder albums. You may have to listen to it again

[@81artmonk]

@@HeavyMetal-HardRock Agree to disagree.....I didn't like the album much either. It's a lot like The Final Battle which I hated. And this coming from a life long Stryper fan since 1984. They nailed NMHTP up to before the TFB....then they changed IMO and are playing different style songs that aren't as good.

[@Skycladatdusk78]

I agree, this new album is a huge disappointment.

[@HeavyMetal-HardRock]

@@Skycladatdusk78 Your opinion. I think it is Great! And Epic!

[@timbaker4253]

@@81artmonkAgree, and I’m also a lifelong Stryper fan. Last two albums there is no elocution in MS’s vocals - can’t hear a word he is singing. The guitar work is really good though, as is the production and the band is tight. But it’s just lacking magic somehow.

[@1ssjesus]

I remember Demon Hunter released a documentary film in 2009 and it focused more on fans and friends of the band, more so than the band themselves. It was a moving doc and it sounds maybe the Stryper one will be like that.

[@Scott2Celli]

Great show in Akron, Ohio

[@jamesnorton7601]

I hope the boys from Stryper stay on a scene like Willie Nelson has. That'd be hard to do, but Michael is that guy if there is a guy. Best vocal harmonies in the genre.

[@XiaoleiMa-f3o]

love it

[@TruthNBible]

Love Sweet and Lynch

[@mikemartin354]

As much as I like their classic songs, I honestly believe they are a better band with better songs now

[@tracezachdaniels4264]

aaahh oo wee fun and and also now '''MAKE AMERICANS GREAT AGAIN'' and ''MAKE AMERICANS HEALTHY AGAIN''.. and ALL THE PEOPLE ON EARTH PASS IT ON ''us help us all always and expose evil always '' GREAT JOB ALL...THANX 4 MAKING Tee with LIONS NAMED LEO and TRAXTER the music worldwide. LOVE YOU ALL...!!!....MUCH LOVE.!!

[@ShiftaelV2]

SUre sounded like he was talking about KISS with the setlist remark, hehe

[@pkmnmaster29]

Hey VLAD I seen Priest backstage in my city .where can I DM you

[@kinglangren]

I don’t think there is a band out there that has produced the amount of relevant good consistent songs that Stryper has. There are bands that have awesome catalogues but Strypers seems to have had such a consistent career unlike no one.

[@chrisvanallsburg]

I got a map of middle earth too. Two maps, actually, as best as I can use them.

[@edwindevera7549]

We have a hyper cat.

[@stewarttiley9683]

One of the great power metal bands imo. I’m no longer a Christian, but I will always dig Stryper! Awesome metal! “Yahweh” is a masterpiece! I dig all sorts of metal bands, and don’t dwell on whatever mythology they may believe in. Just don’t preach excessively! And Stryper don’t come across arrogant imo.

[@MrJcapker]

1000% you need to se them LIVE!!!!

[@fordsrestorations970]

I lived "live in concert" 14 years in -garage band punk rock, Dead Boys dictators, MC-5 Iggy Pop Black Flag , fusing into metal Motorhead Etc. I got saved in 1979 and I seriously begin to change. I know God's true music is beyond Sonic Sacred . But I completely understand that people want to sing the Blues or go to a show on Saturday night . As for me I would take another step forward Beyond Industrial Atomic Punk Metal. Yet we must reverence God in his formula of holy music and worship separated first to God.

[@DonaldBrooks-jm9wv]

It a great album the new one but soilders under command and to hell with the devil are the best two my two favorite albums

[@stephensdygert7600]

Stryper has been tuning down since Soilders under Command. Iron Maiden has never tuned down. I know on Invisible Shield Judas Priest was tuned down.

[@stephensdygert7600]

There should be 💯 % forgiveness with Sweet and Gaines. The last two Stryper masterpieces were "No more Hell to Pay" and "Fallen" Since Perry joined the band. Each album has generally four good tracks, you could leave the rest. Sweet's obsession recording solo albums, has hindered the progressive, creativity of Stryper. The ideas and time spent on solo albums, could be on Stryper albums.

[@dblyth5098]

I am not altogether certain that Stryper have ever had any major engagements in Europe. Were they ever Guests for Bon Jovi, way back when?

[@MetalPilgrim]

That's a good question that I've been asking myself as well. Part of the reason I never got into Stryper as I told Michael was that... I never knew about them before visiting the US :) I'm sure they've gotten some coverage in Europe, but I think they mostly concentrated on the US in the 80s

[@dblyth5098]

@MetalPilgrim They were certainly MTV darlings, in the 80's.

[@MetalPilgrim]

@@dblyth5098 Unfortunately MTV was forbidden here in the 80s haha. All we got was bootlegs people smuggled in from the other side of the iron curtain

[@dblyth5098]

@MetalPilgrim I never had access to MTV, but there was Kerrang Magazine, Hard n Heavy VHS Video Magazine (monthly) Tommy Vance Friday Rock Show (Radio) etc etc. The Hard n Heavy video zine was very Los Angeles centric. Well worth trying to find on Ebay. Must have been a nightmare, to get all those Music clearances approved.

[@UncleRiotous]

I saw them I think on To Hell With The Devil (might have been on In God We Trust) headlining at Hammersmith Odeon. It was the same era that I saw Maiden and Priest at the same venue so it wasn't a small gig.

[@TheBrettWilson]

"But I do think you can cross the line when you start having lead vocals, lead guitar solos... that's just too much man. And you need to reevaluate yourself as a musician at that point in time. And I feel like you really are kinda deceiving the fans..." Ken Tamplin's fans are being deceived, sadly.

[@LeandroFariasdaCosta]

Man... i just saw the last video of the show of his band, SHOUT (honestly, i saw 3 songs)... and HE are using playback in some parts (are so clear the different between when he are singing and when the bt enter)... it's so desapoiting, because he sing so well :/

[@eeayquetting5963]

So he's the guy walking up and down the halls of the hotel talking

[@themobseat]

Is a "Hypocrat" anything like a Hypocrite? 🤣🤣

[@an7285]

MS writes all the songs, plays all the lead guitar parts, does all the interviews? This is why all the albums with the exception of the first 4-5 albums, they all sound the same. There’s no collaboration and it’s really not Stryper, it’s MS band

[@dargostvolos614]

so isnt it hard to look tough with the name sweet O.o

[@arphod]

Cmon. 😂 Seriously? 😂 Cmon.

[@mikebambamvincent2024]

Are you upset that Tim wanted to get paid as an employee other than a member of the band?

[@theinnermostsanctum]

Bawwwhhahahah...craptastic FR!

[@scottmcbride2237]

I love Sweet but I'm disappointed that he claims to be a Christian but is using curse words. Not good. Praying for him and his family. God bless.

[@Paulthediecastguy]

No body is perfect. We live in a fallen. I but there our things you do that displeases God. If you were perfect then you would be God. Only Jesus is perfect.

[@scottmcbride2237]

@Paulthediecastguy i agree but I don't think a so called Christian should be using curse words all the time. There a lot of cilibrities so called Christians that curse way to much. Has nothing to do with being perfect.

[@AlessaSH]

Michael sweet can believe whatever he wants and preach all you want but that grey soul patch has to go

[@johnstrika9170]

What's a Hypocrat? JFC learn how to spell

[@burntvirtue]

You don't know how to spell "hypocrites"?

[@p90man]

Love their song more than a man!