STRYPER's Michael Sweet has issued the following update from Bolivia:

"We had an eventful day on August 7th as we departed for Bolivia - trying to get out of multiple airports to hook up in Miami only to see Oz and Robert asked to exit the plane and then to sit at the gate, on the plane, for two hours.

Apparently, some people tried to sneak on the plane and immigration pulled them off and went through the luggage. My first reaction was "oh man, they arrested Robert and Oz"! I at least got a good laugh out of that thought.

Although Tim and I were a little stir crazy, we took off on made our way to Bolivia. We landed close to midnight and made it through customs relatively quickly. We had a good amount of fans there to greet us (100+) and they had been waiting until 6 or 7ish... Robert and Oz made it in around 7 AM and were a bit tired.

I tell you, if anything there is a band that could plays the roles in a new Spinal Tap sequel, we are the guys! Everything that could happen usually happens to us and it's to a point where you just have to laugh. I laughed so hard yesterday my face was sore when I finally went to bed (4 AM). We're still paying our dues and maybe, just maybe someday it's pay off and we'll be big "rock stars" so we can look back on all the looniness and share our unique stories with our grandkids.... They most likely will never believe us!!!

Anyway, they expect a very large crowd. We are performing in an outdoor amphitheater that holds 9 - 10 thousand. Should be an incredible night and a long overdue opportunity to play for our Bolivian fans. I count my blessings and I look forward to what the future will bring. Great things ahead."

Following the success of their 25th Anniversary World Tour earlier this year, Stryer headed into the studio to work on their upcoming album, The Covering, tentatively scheduled for release October 13th from Big3 Records/SONY. Fans can preview all 12 covers at this location.

The Covering, produced by Michael Sweet, will be unlike any previous Stryper recording, in that it’s a collection of cover songs from bands that inspired them and helped to shape their sound and musical identity, including past hits from JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, LED ZEPPELIN, KANSAS and many others. A cover of BLACK SABBATH’s hit 'Heaven And Hell' will be the first single, with an expected iTunes release in advance of the album. The Covering will also include 'God', a new original recording from Stryper.

"Stryper recorded The Yellow and Black Attack (Enigma Records) back in 1983, and it was released the following year,” says Michael. “Twenty six years have passed and after seven studio releases and multiple compilation and live projects, we decided to show our fans where our roots lie musically. The Covering consists of particular songs and groups that molded and shaped us and made us who we are today.”

One of the highlights for Stryper fans is that The Covering is the first studio album in nearly two decades on which all four original members, plus longtime keyboardist Charles Foley, have recorded together.

“This record includes the original lineup,” explains Michael. “Tim, Robert, Oz and I haven't recorded a full-length project together since 1990’s Against the Law (Enigma Records), so this is truly history in the making. We also had what was probably the best time we've ever had recording a record together and I believe that this comes through in the energy and the spirit of each track. We're all extremely excited about this record and more importantly, we're all extremely confident about the future of Stryper and the four of us making music together for years to come."

The Covering will include the following tracklisting:

SWEET - 'Set Me Free'

SCORPIONS - 'Blackout'

BLACK SABBATH - 'Heaven and Hell'

UFO - 'Lights Out'

KANSAS - 'Carry On Wayward Son'

DEEP PURPLE - 'Highway Star'

KISS - 'Shout It Out Loud'

OZZY OSBOURNE - 'Over The Mountain'

IRON MAIDEN - 'The Trooper'

JUDAS PRIEST - 'Breaking The Law'

VAN HALEN - 'On Fire'

LED ZEPPELIN - 'Immigrant Song'

'God'

Check out The Covering album promo below: