Public Privates - The All-Consuming Blog Of The Public Good

Stryper Returns with Satanic Songs

Sam might not understand the Justin Bieber phenomenon, but he is The Public Good's heavy metal connoisseur, and he speaks freely of his youthful affinity for the Christian Rock offshoot, which, he swears, is what all the hot 14-year-old chicks in Michigan were listening to when, as a young man, he first strapped on his mighty six string.

In fact, Christian metal band STRYPER's "To Hell With the Devil" era was a great influence on him (pictured here -- notice the matching neck and head bands that Sam also occasionally sports at TPG gigs).

So sadly we break the news to him here that hey hey, my my, like regular old rock and roll, it turns out that Christian heavy metal can also never die. It just follows suit and also eventually sells its soul to the Dark Lord.

Here is the song list of their new album of covers:

* JUDAS PRIEST - "Breaking The Law"
* IRON MAIDEN - "The Trooper"
* SCORPIONS - "Blackout"
* OZZY OSBOURNE - "Over The Mountain"
* SWEET - "Set Me Free"
* VAN HALEN - "On Fire"
* DEEP PURPLE - "Highway Star"
* BLACK SABBATH - "Heaven And Hell"
* UFO - "Lights Out"
* KANSAS - "Carry On Wayward Son"
* KISS - "Shout It Out Loud"

STRYPER guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet explains the seemingly insupportable choices of Satanic songs: "For those of you who may think that we're walking away from our faith — you're 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."

Wow. Sam, can you parse this for us? Are these words to live by? Or has Stryper just admitted that rock and roll is no damn fun unless you're in league with Satan?