From Stryperforum.com

"FEBRUARY 15, 2010 - Hey Everyone, Just as promised, I wanted to outline some more details regarding the new Stryper record. 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 LA 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, Oz, Tim and myself to loosen up and have some fun.

For those of you who may think that we're walking away from our faith - your 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. More details to come and a specific song list and sequence to follow.

We're looking forward to getting back into the studio and more important, to seeing all of you on the road again this year!

Be well, be blessed and let the games begin,
Michael"

A covers album done right can be an enjoyable listen. One of my favs is Warrant's 'Under The Influence'. Good selection of songs and rocked up Warrant style.

I can see this working for Stryper. I don't care if they cover songs which have no religious leanings.

Could be a fast way to get them out of their contract with Big3 as well, this covers album being their third release...interesting that it was covers too, it didn't require writing new material, so that maybe they could get the ball rolling on some of those "changes" Michael was talking about for the future of Stryper, super fast?...maybe in time for a new label for the next ACTUAL new Stryper album of original material?, just a thought.

Do these songs please

Priest - Breaking the Law or Beyond the Realms of Death
Iron Maiden - Aces High or Remember Tomorrow
Scorpions - Blackout
Van Halen - On Fire!
UFO - Love to Love or Let it Roll
Deep Purple - Highway Star
Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song or Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
Queen - Sweet Lady
Kansas - Miracles Out of Nowhere
---
BONUS: Megadeth - In My Darkest Hour
Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak
Black Sabbath - Neon Knights

They better not do Number of the Beast or Shout At The Devil, people may get upset!

Ha! Maybe they could just change the lyrics to...

"The Number of the Feast!"

or

"Shout at the Jelly!"

I got nothin. I'm gonna sit the next couple plays out.

Covers huh? How original.

To me the most plausible explanation is what sweetfox said. If that's the case I guess I give them a pass. Otherwise I would think they could do better. Just not something I have any interest in. I hope others do though and I wish them much success.

I might buy a few of the tunes on itunes if I like them. but COVERS!? oh well maybe they are trying to get away from big3. and if big3 screwed them over then its probably a good decision. but COVERS!? Good luck!

I'm good with covers... it would be cool to hear their influences done Stryper style. The tracklisting going up on Mike's Twitter page is very encouraging!

I'm not big on covers but I did see the track list and it did pique my interest. I guess I should reserve judgment until I hear it.

Some bands when they do a covers album, it's either just an un-inspired cash grab, or they experiment so much with the song structures that they border on being unrecognizable. In Stryper's case, I think it's going to be one of the rare instances when they make the songs their own, and really infuse a feeling of excitement and passion. The tracklist is excellent, and I really can't wait to hear what they do with these tracks, specifically "Heaven & Hell", and "Over The Mountain"!!!!

Oh, and Michael if you guys are doing a KISS track, you GOTTA do "Detroit Rock City". You and Oz would absolutely tear up that solo!!!!!

The KISS track they are doing is "Shout it out Loud".

I'd like to hear them cover a Deliverance song. Back in the day Deliverance covered "Surrender" and it was awesome.