Stryper Prepare to Release 'The Covering'

Despite a few push-backs, Stryper is finally ready to release The Covering. The album will be released February 15 via Big 3 Records.

If you haven't heard, The Covering is, of course, an album of covers. Now, I'm going to be blunt: I am not a big Stryper fan. Michael Sweet is a phenomenal musician, but I just really can't heavily get into the band. But, I'm glad I saw them live once (at Rocklahoma) and I can take them in small doses. And, I honestly think The Covering is a brilliant idea because it pairs really famous metal songs with a lesser-known band. What does that equal? Exposure of course.

The first single off The Covering is "Heaven and Hell" (Black Sabbath) and it is basically awesome. You know what else is awesome? The version of "Carry On Wayward Son" (Kansas).

If you check out the album page on Amazon, you can preview the singles. I am going to go out on a limb here and say Stryper's version of the Kansas classic is one of my favorite cover songs...ever. It's just that good. In fact, I'm digging these covers so much I may go back and try to rediscover the Stryper catalog. After all, my whole life is soaring vocals and big guitar solos and Stryper does that pretty well, so maybe I've been shortsighted. It's kind of exciting when I think about it: it's like discovering a band for the first time. Everything is fresh. 

Are you planning on purchasing The Covering when it is released?

Comments

[ROCK-IT]

I've had a chance to hear the entire release... it is absolutely BRILLIANT. I can hardly believe I would ever say anything like that about a release containing covers.

A great move for Stryper.. They may gain a whole new audience that never gave them a fair shake it their hayday.

[Shadow]

If I was in America I would be a first day buyer but I ain't in America so screw that idea. I do plan on getting it first chance i get.

Over the Mountain and The Trooper are the two best tracks! Yellow and Black Attack!

[Allyson]

Shadow, can you get it from the American version of Amazon?

[BRoss]

Getting it on mp3 so I don't have to look at that lame album art. Did they lose a bet?

[Shadow]

I could but I may find it while i'm in europe. I'm only here till the end of April so if worse comes to worse youtube can stave my appetite.

BRoss, your're right I hope that isn't the album cover. So many other things they could do. A striped yellow and black Flag ala Diver Down would like neat to me.

[Allyson]

Shadow, I just wanted to tell you how much I love your enthusiasm for all things glam! :)

[Sweet Lou]

Allyson, you're right about Shadow. AND he is an amazing kid too! Stay straight my boy SHADOW!! Hope to see ya this summer at a few shows!

[Bob]

I too have heard the full release already. It really is surprisingly good. My favorite song on the album is their version of On Fire by Van Halen, even if Michael sweet doesn't attempt the absolutely throat-wrenching scream that DLR rips out before the final verse on the original. This one definitely is worth buying, and I'm not even a Stryper fan.

[Shadow]

Thanks everybody! I'm just being me. I'm kinda bummed about being in Europe. Nobody I know is touring near here! I'm still looking around but feb. is not concert season around Gaming Austria! lol

However, I will admit there are some things i totally didn't expect to find! They have all the remastered Black Sabbath reissues individually over here! Plus the german cover of KISS's Double Platinum is also a nice addition to my junk. Who knew there was a Hard Rock Cafe in Munich! I didn't! X)

[Spons7]

I have the full album and all I can say is that it is great. The production value is really well done and balanced. It is a great tribute to all the bands. Their last song God is amazing as well and up there as one of thier best. They start touring in March. Saw them last year and they did great, still themselves, with some of the cover songs.

Big Big Recommendation for this Album. It will have you wanting more.

[smknotsmf]

Rock-it - you mentioned a pre-party the Thursday before M3, any additional details?

[Metalboy!]

A Brilliant Comedy Album by a Brilliant Comedy Act!

OTSK! Shad, Al's right (as usual) -- if you want the actual CD, it's under 12 bux plus postage, which, even to Europe, shouldn't be too bad. It just depends on how quick you want it.

[Mike]

The Covering is brilliant. You do have some diehards saying its anti-christian to do an album of secular music, but its not like they are covering songs by death metal bands that talk about bad things about God. Its a really great release. And Michael also said the new song "God" is a preview of the sound of the brand new studio album coming out next year I believe. A lot of fans say God is the best song they have ever released, and I can see why, its a very good song.

[Metalboy!]

OTSK! Kid, I was looking over all the comments here this morning. You never cease to have a good idea. Love your design solution with an alternate album cover for this latest Stryper effort.

You and Mom are right, the one shown here is kinda ghetto. Your idea of a Yellow and Black Supergraphic treatment a la a flag like "Diver Down" would be killer.

Just curious, Shad, are you studying Graphic Design?

As for Stryper, man, they are hipper than hip. The closest thing on the planet to a living breathing Spinal Tap and whatever else you want to throw at 'em, au courant or not!

And they OUTROCK them and half the usual Metal suspects out there.

And, along the lines of what I said before, perfectly executed with dead-pan aplomb, "Covered" should get the Grammy for Best Comedy Album this year!

Boston + Crue + Journey = Stryper

[Shadow]

No I study Broadcast communications (ie. Radio) I'veseen alternate covers so I think this one aint it. The Words "The Covering aren't on it as far as I can so here's hoping!

[Metalboy!]

Yeah, kid, I saw the cover. At least, I think I saw the cover. Simple, yet cool. But not as cool as your "Diverdownesque" flag idea.

So, kid, do you think you'll wind up in radio in some capacity, whether it be satellite or another outlet?

Man, it would be great if you could get a show on Hair Nation someday because you're young and could help get the Glam of today on there, yet you also know the old school stuff, too.

What programming you could do for them! You should at least hit 'em up for an internship this summer or somethin' and see what happens.

[Metalboy!]

BTW, Al, your post here has led me to totally gettin' into Stryper this weekend.

"Rock The Hell Out Of You" and "Can't Stop The Rock" are my latest faves! Absolutely, unequivocally killarious!

[Metalboy!]

Okay, Shad, in this case, OAK!, as in, "Only Allyson Knows!" because, as you probably well know by now, the picture Al has posted above is indeed the album cover.

Though I think they could have done better, it's still plenty knarly/weird/quasi-religious enough to give it a sort of low brow/homespun/pseudo-hip feel.

And can I just say, after repeated listenings, this album just blows me away. The net feeling you get from this is there is simply nothing they can't totally nail.

While I'm sure it was never their intent, I actually prefer a lot of their covers better than the originals, I dare say. I just cannot get enuff of this album!

I have been listening to it EVERY day since it came out!