Creating The Christian Metal Genre: Michael Sweet Interview

In this episode of The Babylon Bee Podcast, Kyle and Ethan talk to Christian heavy metal legend, Michael Sweet. Michael Sweet is the lead singer/guitar player for the band Stryper. Stryper has produced a new album titled Even The Devil Believes available wherever you get music. Kyle and Ethan find out about Stryper’s origins, throwing Bible’s into the audience, and where that van with a machine gun came from.
00:00:38 Intro
00:03:48 Interview start
00:11:00 Creating album titles
00:17:57 Stryper Comeback
00:28:00 Stryper criticism
Watch The Babylon Bee animation on our animation playlist: bit.ly/BeeAnimation​
Subscribe on iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Submit Your Own Headlines: babylonbee.com/plans​
The Official The Babylon Bee Store: shop.babylonbee.com​
Follow The Babylon Bee:
Website: babylonbee.com​
Twitter: / thebabylonbee​
Facebook: / thebabylonbee​
Instagram: / thebabylonbee

[@jimyoung9262]

I grew up an unchurched athiest. In high school I was really into Metallica and Ozzy. I first heard Stryper and they were such a great band that I listened to them "in spite" of them being Christian. I used to have a mix tape with "The Four Horsemen" from Metallica followed by "Soldiers Under Command". I ended up buying all of Stryper's records and listened to the gospel message on one of the EP albums. A few years later, I became a Christian. Stryper definitely planted seeds in my life.

[@watchandlearnhow]

Awesome story brother. Cant wait to meet you in Heaven!

[@rodfriesen4370]

I'm 51. Stryper got me through the 80's. I wore a Stryper t shirt to a church council meeting this week! They get better with age, like a good wine

[@Gee-no]

I'm 52 and saw Stryper at 13yo. They played with Armored Saint here in Chicago at the Bismarck Theater or was it the Aragon Ballroom?

[@dave9226]

I got saved because of Stryper. Thank you Stryper, praise Jesus!

[@PriorityNewsNow]

Awesome!

[@serenitypeaceandcomfort3669]

Stryper's version of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is incredible!!!

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@cameronwhyte7223]

Love it.

[@kylelewis3096]

I just wished they sang more of the lyrics. It's an incredible song.

[@c2cooler2]

That's the song that won my Vietnam vet father over back in 1989!!

[@samualpeterson1900]

No it isn't

[@kornfreak78]

Been a fan of Stryper since the 80's. Great band!

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@gregsretromusicchannel7000]

me too, since 1987

[@Casper31977]

Me too...since the Roxx Regime days! The Yellow and Black Attack in '84 blew my mind!

[@dungeoneering1974]

Michael Sweet is a legend. And he's making some of the best music of his career now!

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@81artmonk]

Stryper is the most underrated band. The quality of music that still rocks that they are putting out today is amazing. Other bands from the 80's have attempted new music and IMO aren't at the level Stryper is right now.

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@theoriginalcraig]

Can I ask a silly question? Are you THE ACTUAL Art Monk?

[@theoriginalcraig]

@@michaelsweet7793 Hi, Michael. I'll copy and paste my earlier comment and address it to you: THANK YOU, Michael, for mentioning REZ BAND!!! Blues-based jackhammer-style hard rock. Loved them then, still love them now. Rez and Stryper were always my two favorites. I listened to them morning to night. Great interview, guys. Thanks for bringing Michael onto the show.

[@eradgr8]

He is a songwriting machine. The man is constantly churning out music. He is incredible and his voice, while not quite as high as it used to be, can still belt out some high notes.

[@joshportie]

Odds are someone else is writing his music then. Like Jesuits write John MacArthurs books whild he pretends to be protestant.

[@tonygrater8276]

@@joshportie No. He writes his own music. And the band plays their own instruments.

[@michaelsweet8158]

@@joshportie - Hahahahaha

[@ctreid87]

@@michaelsweet8158 perfect response, just laugh at dumb comments.

[@ctreid87]

@@michaelsweet8158 great interview, btw. I loved it.

[@openskyphotography]

As one who grew up in the 80's and loved metal, without Stryper I would have never gotten into Christian music at all. They were truly my lifeline to Christ-centered music when I was a teenager.

[@shaunbeswarick7952]

Stryper saved my record collection in the 80's from being devoid of light. God bless you 😊👍

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@cometblazt]

I saw Stryper in October in Bogotá Colombia. The place went nuts with them, loved every minute of the concert. One of the 2 best moments in my life. God bless you Michael you are a giant.

[@ProductBasement]

The C.S. Lewis quote is actually in _Mere Christianity_ : "The Christian replies, 'Don't talk damned nonsense'" I was a little shocked when I saw that, but I got over it

[@BAW310]

Great concert in Seattle, 2023! Thanks for continuing to ROCK for the King!

[@TeeCeeBee]

His last solo record is amazing. Every song jams!

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@grizzlyadams4123]

This was an amazing interview. Hats off to babylon bee and Michael. I was a fan decades ago after I got saved in Junior High...honestly haven't thought too much about them since but when I saw the thumbnail on YT, I had to click, and was immediately drawn in. These guys (the interviewers and Michael) all congeal together nicely and seem so down to Earth. Rather than pit one sect of Christians against another (or compare , contrast them), instead the interview flows nicely. It appears God has blessed them, and continues to do so. To that, I say amen!

[@antirnator8194]

'Nailed by a Bible' - a phrase for all time

[@mathphysicsnerd]

Yeah, he got the holy book thrown at him

[@arobdiary5014]

I like how Michael handled the interview!! A true legend!! Stryper Rocks!!

[@rockhardnipple6633]

I went through a rough time in my early teens with getting my butt kicked almost daily. Stryper and church are what got me through. I got ribbed even more for listening to them, but I didn't care. Great band!

[@SouthernSkeptic]

They helped me through my teenage years too, man.

[@carolinepercy1216]

@Jeffery Claborn ✌\m/✌

[@steveh3447]

Shut up I've heard that lame ass story a thousand times

[@garyhill2740]

My family was Lutheran, so I didn't just listen to worship music exclusively like my friends whose families belonged to fundamentalist churches. But such a friend introduced me to Stryper and I liked them. They are one of my favorite bands to this day! Back in the day, as now....I also listened to stuff like the Monkees and the Raspberries and David Cassidy and Eric Carmen. In the 80's era when everything was crazy metal, any artists/bands that that weren't hard or had a more "wholesome" image were subject to derision. As were their fans. I didn't care, I was never one to let others tell me what to like or what to think. I can relate, however.... I took a lot of flack for not simply going along with the crowd. In adulthood I continue to like metal, and find many "fans" from back in the day don't actually know metal. ie most people would acknowledge Judas Priest was a band that defined modern metal, but haven't even heard "Sad Wings of Destiny", one of their most artistically relevant records. The sheep are the sheep.....like what you like, make your own choices, stick to your guns!

[@bobjose5855]

That was fantastic. Loved Stryper from the original EP. Saw them a couple of times. Still listen. The musicianship of these guys is amazing. Their songs kicked .... They had heavy and melodic. The harmony guitar leads were killer. They go toe to toe with anyone. They still perform at an elite level. Michael has done so many collab projects I can't keep up. His work with George Lynch was fantastic. Not enough good things to say about Stryper.

[@spin1804]

Can’t understand how people don’t know Michael plays guitar… never watched a video of Stryper or solo albums? Always been a fan!

[@rangerdoc1029]

Not just plays, but is a world class guitarist.

[@Gee-no]

He's an awesome guitar player and songwriter. Of course, an unbelievable singer.

[@skyblues1357]

Thankyou for inviting Stryper. They were and will always be cool!!! Lots of love from India.

[@lilahmckee219]

Great interview. I'm happy that 80's style metal is making a comeback. \m/ Also, why do so many Christians feel like metal is illegal? I'm a Christian and I love metal. That's allowed. Metal music as a whole is not evil. Are there evil songs within the metal genre? Yes. But you can say that about pretty much all other genres. Have you SEEN pop lately? But if you choose your bands and your songs wisely, you'll be fine.

[@williampapadopoulos8145]

If you can’t understand the lyrics and all it sounds like is the world, it compromises your reputation as a Christian, who is supposed to be departing from this world and drawing near to Christ in their lifestyle. Petra and Whitecross’s music both never compromised message for music. Their message was up front and Jesus-in-your-face. With many encouraging messages to boot!

[@joelsmith7868]

​@William Papadopoulos I'd humbly submit war of ages to you. Their lyrical content is maybe more biblically sound then whats being preached from many a pulpit....this is coming from a 50 year old and my ear developed to be able to easily understand them vocally

[@i_fish6657]

It's a lot about people looking at surface level aesthetics instead of meaning. pop is up beat and accessible regardless of what the lyrics are about, it's happy and clean while metal is loud, nasty and aggressive regardless of the lyrics. Also black metal exists, so, yes a lot of people use metal to explicitly hate God. so a lot of people think that nasty guitar tones and growling means you hate god. don't judge people to hard about people disliking, metal is not for everyone and not everyone needs to understand. But I do think it is weird how much sinful things people talk about in pop and rap and people are fine with it even Christians. I tell people the way you see metal as distasteful is the way I see most pop.

[@catw6998]

I’d like to think so.

[@marchanson169]

Talk to any true metal head in a Slayer, Deicide or Morbid Angel T-shirt and they'll tell you straight up that Stryper crushes. Killer, KILLER guitar tone.

[@justfrancesca8185]

That was the first time I heard about Stryper. I'll check it out! Also, great interview. He sounds like such a nice guy.

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@Ooochild]

No way! I love Stryper!!

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@thegr8tony777]

THE MOST underrated band in all of metal. And absolute legends as well.

[@jerry-elteologopublico]

Met Michael at a solo show several years back. I took my kid who was in the 3rd grade. After the show Mike sat down with my kid and talked to him. He asked him about school and his favorite song, signed his tshirt took a picture with him. I’ll never forget that and neither will my son.

[@davidadamsmusic]

Huge respect for these dudes. Used their talents to go against the grain and are still making music. I don’t love all of their music but there are certain songs that just flat out rock. The heavy riffs plus melodic vocal and guitar duets are so unique to Stryper. Cheers to you for interviewing Michael. The sarcasm was also awesome! Nice work!

[@grace4bobby]

I immediately looked up the new album and forgot to finish the podcast. Great stuff.

[@Wyldwulf]

This dude is a class act. I was in a strict religious home so Stryper was one of my few outlets for hard rock in my youth. Little would I expect that 35 years later he'd be one of the few 80s singers still able to hit those stratospheric notes. A super influential player on my as a struggling guitarist...his and Oz' harmonies were epic.

[@TheMeJustMe75]

When people list awesome guitarists Michael and Oz are forgotten. I am even guilty of it. They are truly legends and should get more acknowledgement. Their tone is unique and their harmonies are just pure metal.

[@johnpierce2095]

Rex carrol is the one who got forgotten. He woukd be really good on a stryper song

[@isaiahmumaw]

For those interested, Theocracy (prog/power metal) and Impending Doom (deathcore) are also some solid Christian metal bands. August Burns Red (metalcore) also has some strong Christian ties.

[@Nocturlis]

I love ABR's lyrics.

[@TheKvltPantShater]

You forgot bands like Phinehas, Fit For A King and For Today. They are solid Christian Metalcore bands.

[@joelsmith7868]

War of Ages is top of list. So sad when their drummer passed unexpectedly but lyrically they are about as in your face biblically as it gets

[@nostranger2u]

Rez, Stryper, Bride, Red, Theocracy.❤❤❤❤❤

[@i_fish6657]

IMPENDING DOOM is sick so is voluntary mortification and Becoming the Archetype

[@spincrunch]

Bassist Perry is from the area I’ve lived for the past 15 years, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Stryper ROCKS!

[@TheMeJustMe75]

I loved Stryper in the 80's and still love them in 2021.

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@theoriginalcraig]

THANK YOU, Michael, for mentioning REZ BAND!!! Blues-based jackhammer-style hard rock. Loved them then, still love them now. Rez and Stryper were my two favorites. I listened to them morning to night. Great interview, guys. Thanks for bringing Michael onto the show.

[@mattwalmer6162]

I've been a fan since Yellow & Black Attack. Keep Rocking Guys!

[@themechaniacal1558]

Great interview. I have been a Stryper fan for about 35 yrs. seen them live a few times. I have always loved the unique way Robert sets up his drums. He was an inspiration and part of the reason I drum today as a hobby. God bless.

[@power4350]

Christians have to go into all parts of the culture. There may be a diabolic influence in some forms of heavy metal, but that is all the more reason to go and cast our nets there in Christ’s Name. Christ went among the sinners and the prostitutes as a doctor to the sick, not to judge or hate but to heal with the strength of His Love and forgiveness.

[@jasongoad1084]

This is awesome! Been a Stryper fan since 88. Their last 4 albums to me are their best. No More Hell to Pay, Fallen, GDE, and Even The Devil Believes are all incredible albums. I always liked the band but they are one of my favorites now.

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@whatsahandleandwhy]

Heavenly Metal

[@Raybo-68]

Werd

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@chrisbarnette7137]

Yellow and black for life Love this band and the talent is off the charts.

[@cometblazt]

Michael is top notch musician, great interview

[@2esword579]

Stryper is the most criminally underrated band evah!

[@oaa-ff8zj]

Thank you razorfist

[@RobertDanielsUSA]

I like Stryper well enough, especially To Heck With the Devil, and enjoyed the interview. But check out Theocracy for really well done Christian metal.

[@IAmisMaster]

Stryper’s NMHTP and Fallen are my favorites, heavier than their ‘80s stuff. But I agree, Theocracy is the best Christian metal band, mainly for their lyrics.

[@RobertDanielsUSA]

@@IAmisMaster can't wait for their new album to drop. You cannot stop the chills when I Am comes on.

[@TomPlantagenet]

Theocracy is great!

[@Nocturlis]

Theocracy is great, but so is Narnia, Signum Regis, and Innerwish

[@caffeinatedtheology5818]

Mirror of Souls is great too

[@soullessmeatpuppet7840]

I didn't see anyone mention Vengeance (Rising), so I gotta. "Human Sacrifice" is one of the best Christian metal albums ever. Unfortunately shorter lived, they only made four albums before breaking up, unfortunately due to lead singer Roger Martinez sliding into atheism and eventually Satanism. I'm grateful for Stryper for being there for me as an adolescent in 1986, and after leaving the church a few years later and now returning 30 years later, I'm ever more grateful for Stryper for coming back and making their best albums ever. 🤘🙏

[@markchristensen3353]

Bride and Believer were from the late 80s too. Unfortunately a lot of bands didn’t last that long. Living Sacrifice has beaten the odds though.

[@iwillnotcomply1707]

Holy shit! Stryper is a name i haven't heard in ages! I honestly can't remember which song was my favorite, but the yellow and black attack album was my jam in the day

[@Samfan4Films777]

I'm a hugeeee fan of Stryper and 17 years old. Really want them to tour near me

[@Gee-no]

Stryper was my first concert at 13yo. My friend John caught a bible (and kept it). They were great live. They sounded amazing. Michael has one of the best voices in metal. Even now. Pure, high, but metal.

[@ianholcombe18]

Alternate title: We created the most controversial comments section in KZbin History.

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@tristramcoffin926]

Among the most embarrassing moments of my life was at the Alive Christian Music Festival in the mid 90s. Michael Sweet was there supporting his first solo record along with Petra, Whiteheart and a bunch of others. I had every Stryper album ever in my pocket and I the chance to meet Michael Sweet. My good friend, Keith was right behind me. I went to say hello and it was marbles in my mouth. I was starstruck. I hadn't been 3 minutes previous. Coolest guy under the tent. It was going to be cool and all but I had this. Then, I was paralyzed before his man. My heart sunk but without the ability to speak I brought out the cds from my collection and MS was a bit alarmed but magnanimous and signed every one of them. I still have them and they are among my most treasured additions to my music library.

[@tristramcoffin926]

btw, he signed my copy of the Michael Sweet solo debut also

[@terryg2543]

These guys are legit. I so respect Michael Sweet for being in and not of the world. He has the respect of the best metal musicians. Just checkout all of his projects. The dude is so talented.

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@mattolfson9230]

I'll be honest. When I was a kid in junior high, I out right $#!%-talked Stryper, despite the fact that I never actually listened to them. It was just the "cool" thing to do. But now that I'm an adult and know what music is actually supposed to sound like (unlike a lot of the garbage I used to listen to) I'll have to give this new album a try. Now I'm off to the subscriber page to pick up where this left off!

[@Deetroiter]

Even the devil believes is easily THE metal album of 2020. One of the best albums I’ve heard in years

[@zerospacer]

No More Hell To Pay and Fallen are the greatest IMO from their newer era. First is beautiful and dark, second is their most power metal. Essential. For old school metal rock, try Soldiers Under Command, or more recently their covers album The Covering. On Second Coming they cover their own earlier songs with updated production. In God We Trust and To Hell With The Devil are essential from early era. They really push the metal and the pop at the same time with those records, which turns off some people. I love it. But if you don't like the older stuff, you might still like the newer. Even The Devil Believes is good, I don't know it very well yet but "Make Love Great Again" is a truly great song--a classic-and must be destroying the radio/streaming services in a different timeline.

[@tonyvalenti6614]

I was there when Contemporary Christian Music was blooming. As a new Christian in the early 80’s and a drummer I was very interested in classic rock music for Christians. Stryper was one of those bands. Though metal, they are diverse and had beautiful ballads too. The 80’s was the best time for CCM. I miss those days when band reached people who loved any genre. Nothing like today’s band and song cloning. Where are the great CCM diverse bands today? 😞

[@argentivulpes2813]

rush over to spotify before this premier and check out his solo catalog

[@aarondewsnap6246]

I appreciate the reference to Raz0rfists stryper vid. It got me into them in the first place

[@mikeford4072]

Great Interview!

[@allencolvin4320]

You have to give it to stryper! They pissed off the fundies and got laughed at by the secular side but earned respect from the secular musicians! I can think of at least a handful of metal artists who are Christians, probably bc of Stryper's influence. Dave Mustain, Elefson, Alice Cooper, Nikko McBrian, Brian Welsh,.....I know I am missing a few, but these guys did what no one else did before

[@GBTWC]

The new album shreds

[@TheBrightSounds]

Pure great songwriting and musicianship + God = a great career.

[@moparedtn]

Michael's collaborations with George Lynch are seriously good. Check them out.

[@mr.potter4661]

Yup and same with his collaboration with Tracy Guns- Sunbomb

[@mr.potter4661]

That's was a pretty great interview. Love the jokes Michael was laying down lol

[@watchandlearnhow]

Stryper has always been one of my favorite bands of all time and I love all kinds of music and am also a Christian singer songwriter. I hope I can see them live one day soon. Sacramento, CA!

[@ronstewart6362]

I never seen a problem with Loving heavy metal and Loving God even more. I dug this band long before I became a Christian. As a musician I respect the music and the players in that band are as good as Any at the time and still awesome including the singer. How often do you see a band that sounds Great 40 years later let alone a metal singer. Maybe Dickinson, Steven Tyler.. the list isn't long. Great band.

[@fredhedrick8127]

Great interview! Mad respect to Michael, Oz, Robert, Tim, Tracy and Matt. They have done what others have dreamed of doing! "Metal for Jesus!" I saw them for the first time in the John Dickinson High School auditorium(Newark, Delaware)around '84. Loud and amazing! My, how the years have been very good to them! STILL #1 in my opinion! Love you guys!

[@MaxLeGrand33]

THE most underrated heavy metal band o all time.

[@josiahwyncott7519]

Alright ladies and gentlemen, now time for your homework. The first legit Death Metal band with Christian guys -- Mortification. The album -- Scrolls of the Megaloth

[@mr.austinlucksted783]

I think of Living Sacrifice when it comes to Christian metal. Stryper was one my first bands I got into as a child in the eighties. I'm feeling nostalgic!

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@ctreid87]

Great interview.

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@chrisggoodwin777]

I saw Stryper a couple of years ago for the first time (heard for years, first concert) and they rocked a packed house. It was awesome and took me back to younger days

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@joelmontero9439]

Michael Sweet is so cool God bless

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@shadowprovesunshine]

Love Stryper!!! Excited to check out the new stuff. Thanks BB

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@rangerdoc1029]

I still have a Stryper Bible from the 80s. \m/ \m/

[@martypadilla3470]

Omg! I saw Bloodgood live at the Carson City, NV community center back in either 1986 or 87! Got to see Michael Sweet at the same community center in 1997.

[@twiermann]

For those of you who are just realizing that Stryper is still around making great music I feel bad for you. You’ve been missing out on their best music.

[@aguyfromnothere]

Fun as always!

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@fryingbaconstudios3429]

I’m 58 and was right in the thick of the Christian contemporary music scene in the 80s and 90s. I was a Christian music DJ. I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael in the early 90s, what a great guy. He now lives down the road from me on Cape Cod and is very involved in the local Christian community here. I remember the great outrage over CCM. In many quarters, I myself was an outcast because I played it on the airwaves and supported it wholeheartedly. I watched as the bands of the era were demonized by the TV pastors of the time. The irony is most all those pastors fell to scandal themselves and proved their hypocrisy. Which just reinforced for me Gamalies principle; “ Gamaliel cautions the Jewish Sanhedrin against killing Jesus' disciples, saying that if their ideas were of human origin, they would "come to nought" and the Jews did not need to worry about them; but if they were from God, their ideas would be impossible to overthrow anyway, and if the Jews tried to stop them, they would be fighting against God. Therefore, in Gamaliel's view it would be better to do nothing and let God take care of the situation.” My view of CCM was always that these bands reclaimed all forms of music back to God. Pastors used to claim, because African witch doctors used particular beats to raise demons, those rhythms were evil. Which is non scenes as Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.” I truly believe that era was the golden age of CCM. They were truly artists daring to write songs about the truth and struggles in their lives. The musicianship was excellent and original. Now the music is just worship songs mostly and, although I have nothing against worship songs, it lacks that personal expression that was produced in the legacy CCM era.

[@dongray9720]

Who clicked thinking the interview was with Matthew Sweet?

[@AlexanderHamilton007]

Dude, bro, I thought the same thing!!! (LOL)

[@jaywebb4992]

Yes, there were other Christian bands around in the early 80's, but what made Stryper such a standout is that they were SO good, marketed SO well, and so well received, that they busted through the wall between secular rock and christian rock because people that were NOT christians were hooking on to that incredible guitar sound and songs that sounded, musically, like what we all loved at the time in metal. It was difficult, but easy at the same time. LOTS and LOTS of metal lovers spread the word about Stryper because of how good the music was. I did it, and so did loads of my friends. Slowly, the lyrics and message made an impact. I say all that to make the point that no other band, to my recollection, impacted both the christian and secular worlds like Stryper. I can't think of even one other "crossover" hard rock/metal band that pulled this off.

[@mikehunt4341]

Boy the algorithm sure hates you guys. Keep up the great work!

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@ianbeckynicolebrowne8757]

I met some of the guys when I worked at Carl's Jr in La Mirada, CA. I remember seeing Oz Fox years earlier in a Roxx Regime shirt. Robert lived in my neighborhood and I would drive past his yellow and black truck and his IROC camaro with the license plate IROC777. Loved you then and still listen to you at 59 years old! Regarding the Against the Law album, I have to say I knew immediately that something wasn't right with the band. The best way to describe it was that the Spirit of God had departed. Made me very sad. So glad you are back! One correction of something said by a BB interviewer. Michael has in fact said they are not a Christian band but a rock band with members who are Christian. Michael should have owned his past statements...

[@James-sq7hr]

Stryper is a metal legend! - love 'em!

[@robertboebinger7719]

Blessings to you guys 🙏💒🇺🇲

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@TheMetalangel42]

OMG as a guatemalan, I REAAAALLY laughed by the guatemalan friend part! Trying to hold my laugh because I'm at work.

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@jimjamjoeyjoejoe]

Anyone interested in Stryper or just melodic metal/hard rock in general should also check out an album called Walkin In Faith by Angelica.

[@brianwilke592]

Must admit, didn't know about these guys; I was often of the opinion that a lot of Christian rock groups were AAA league groups, who couldn't make it to the major leagues, but could get an easy audience. Watched the Metal Mythos video, and changed my mind; will look more often for these guys.

[@nomo9344]

And so the stereotype falls flat. Check out Roy Khan, formerly of Kamelot. This fantastic singer, who happens to be a Christian, is incredible. There are so many great musicians/artists that are Christians, but are not known as "Christian bands/artists," per se. Dave Mustaine, Alice Cooper, etc.

[@nostranger2u]

Theocracy is also up there with Stryper.

[@seanhyatt]

Michael, thanks for your messages. I saw you guys for the first time in Erie Pa on the In God We Trust Tour (I think my 7th or 8th Grade). I grew up Catholic and still believe in Jesus but not sure Catholic is the right way to follow Christ. I’m still lost but looking for the right way. My major believes are judge not let you be judged and treat others as you want to be treated. Anyways, thanks for the great music. I’ll find my way.

[@Theospeak1]

Michael, if you read this, please release the audio from Live in Indonesia as it's own audio release on MP3 and CD. That's some of the best audio of Stryper in existence, the stereo separation is mind blowing. I would spin it all the time.

[@777RP1]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaah Stryper!!!! Favourite band of all time, no doubt...except for the cover song era....but then they came back! Love em! Thank you for hosting this interview!

[@BrainMog]

The 4:11 answer is Larry Norman Is the Original Long-haired Christian Folk-Rockers Troubadour , Aka the “grandfather of Christ oriented Rock/Metal ! But Stryper certainly attained fame , more so than ALL the Others I’ve been listening to for 40+ years.

[@PriorityNewsNow]

Interesting interview!

[@larsandrune]

Favorite song on new album- How to Fly❤

[@michaelsweet7793]

thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan. God bless you. you can write to me on #[e-mail]#

[@lionstripe42]

I still love the guy laughing at everything in the background

[@InlinePaul]

I never discovered Stryper until about 2015 when I found Reborn at a garage sale. I now have ALL the Stryper albums, several Michael Sweet albums too. Sad because I was born again in 1984 and listened to Daniel Band, Petra, and such.

[@robynloaf4014]

Bride was rad back in the day

[@SkyblueTv]

LOVE STRYPER

[@SlyJackHammer]

Epic Patrick laugh during the France story 21:13. This show just wouldn't be what it is without Patrick's vital 'contributions'

[@jpcantrell1]

Fantastic Interview

[@michaelsweet7793]

Thanks for your love and support indeed you are a true fan of my music God bless you. You can write me on [e-mail]

[@caffeinatedtheology5818]

Enjoying this one. (Listened to it on the bee app) Another really good Christian metal band is Theocracy. They probably have some of the most theologically rich lyrics in Christian music today. Check them out. “I Am” is an amazing song.

[@caffeinatedtheology5818]

Also. This is for the algorithm.

[@IAmisMaster]

Yea, that’s gotta be the best Christian metal song, right next to Believer’s Trilogy of Knowledge.

[@TomPlantagenet]

They’re amazing! Another great Christian metal band was Seventh Avenue-unfortunately they broke up but check them out!

[@brandonrogers8293]

thats power metal though. Stryper is classic heavy metal.

[@AlexanderHamilton007]

Dude, bro, another great episode!!! Peace Out! Later, Gator!

[@Raybo-68]

It mos def MOSHED