Classic Rock Revisited founder Jeb Wright recently caught up with STRYPER / BOSTON vocalist Michael Sweet. An excerpt from the interview is available below.

Jeb: I heard Stryper but I never paid attention that you were a Christian band. Someone had a cassette and I heard some of it and thought it rocked. Then, I found out you were a Christian band and I decided that I had to hate you.

Michael: "It is amazing because that has happened more times that you would believe. People would hear the music and like it but then find out we are Christians and not like us. The same people will take some of the really dark stuff and not want to listen to it because of the lyrical content. Our latest record, Reborn, is not lyrically like it was in the past. In the past, it was all about Jesus and it was really up front. We are not sweeping anything under the carpet now; we still take a really strong stance on who we are and what we are and we would never run from that. We have just changed our approach over the years."

Jeb: My only complaint on that album is that there needed to be guitar solos.

Michael: "Two things that we have heard about that album are, 'Where are the guitar solos?' and 'Where are the high notes?' We just weren’t feeling it at the time. If I could go back then I would at least add guitar solos. Our new album, Murder By Pride, is all about guitar solos. There are a lot of harmony guitar solos with lots of notes."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

As previously reported, STRYPER fans will have limited time to purchase Murder By Pride song-by-song via iTunes up until July 21st, 2009 when the full album will be released. The new track 'Eclipse Of The Son' is currently available here and is available for streaming on MySpace.

Following is the original press release for the song-by-song release campaign:

"Beginning on Tuesday May 5th, 2009 you can purchase a song per week on iTunes. However, as each new song is released, the previous one will no longer be available until the full album is released. So fans have a seven day window to purchase each track from Murder By Pride beginning May 5th.

Below is a schedule of the release dates for each song on the album. Remember, each song only stays up until the next one is made available so be sure to mark your calendars!"

Release Date on iTunes:

May
19 - '4 Leaf Clover'
26 - 'The Plan'

June
2 - 'Alive'
9 - 'I Believe'
16 - 'Love Is Why'
23 - 'Mercy Over Blame'
30 - 'Run In You'

July
7 - 'Everything'
14 - 'My Love (I’ll Always Show)'
21 - Full Murder By Pride album