As Stryper approaches the 40th anniversary of its first album, the band does not appear to be slowing down in its “calling.” In January, Stryper released its first acoustic album, “To Hell With the Amps,” and the band plans to release another new album later this year.
In December 2023, Sweet underwent an operation to remove nodules from his thyroid gland, a procedure that had the potential to inhibit his ability to sing. Prior to the operation, Sweet joked, “Who knows, maybe I’ll sing like 1988 again.”
Earlier this week, Sweet told Blabbermouth that he is “very fortunate” not to have experienced any ill effects.
“I’m optimistic. Always optimistic. My voice, obviously, isn’t the same as it was 30 years ago. That was pre-surgery,” he said. “My voice is different—not that it’s in bad shape or feels bad or I feel like I can’t sing; it’s just different from years of singing.”
Despite his health challenges, Sweet believes Stryper’s newest album is the band’s best.
“People laugh sometimes when I say, ‘I think it’s our best album.’ I say that with every album,” he told Blabbermouth. “But this album is really special. There’s something about it that is really special.”
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“There’s a fire, an energy, there’s a throwback to some songs when it gets to the choruses, it’s memorable, singalong anthem-y styled chorus,” he added. “But it’s heavy. The guitars are in your face. It’s heavy and chugging, but it’s got a little more of a melodic sense. I think fans that want the old are going to love it and the fans who want the new are going to love it.”
