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Michael Sweet's Throne Of Thorns

September 23, 2026 · 1 h 2 min

Show notes

Michael Sweet returns to talk Stryper’s new album “Throne of Thorns.” He explains why Oz Fox wasn’t able to play guitar on the new album, what it was like handling all the guitar parts himself, and why they decided to be fully transparent about Oz’s role on the record. Michael also goes deep on Stryper’s signature twin-guitar sound, the Christian metal backlash that followed them through the ’80s, the hostile festival crowd they won over in just a few songs, and the moment he saw Stryper at #1 on MTV ahead of Bon Jovi! He shares the story behind the original “To Hell with the Devil” album cover, the controversy surrounding “God Damn Evil,” and how Stryper’s yellow-and-black look became part of their legacy. He also speaks candidly about how the excess of the ’80s sent record and video budgets through the roof, and why the band eventually filed for bankruptcy! Plus, the challenge of building a setlist after nearly 20 albums, the Stryper classic Michael struggles to sing night after night, and what he says will happen if the day comes when he can no longer handle those signature high vocals. And the band’s ambitious plan to record THREE new albums in one session!

 

Stryper’s new album, “Throne Of Thorns,” drops this FRIDAY, September 25th! https://stryper.com/

📸 Instagram: @stryper

Talk Is Jericho is available on YouTube! https://www.youtube.csom/ChrisJerichoFozzy

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