Frontman Michael Sweet from Christian hard rock legends STRYPER has issued the following update:

"Long time no type! I've been very busy traveling and moving two homes into one and it's been a very slow process getting unpacked and settled. My apologies for not updating all of you sooner. I try really hard (and enjoy) keeping all of you in the loop on everything that we do.

I wanted to let all of you know that the concept for The Covering is very powerful and rings true to the power of God's love upon our lives. God's covering is transforming and life changing and we thought it would be very cool to visually portray that through the new artwork. Chris at Pale Horse Design (Palehorsedesign.com) has designed a character that represents the bad or "the evil" side if you will, in us all. The booklet, (in comic book style) will tell a story of good conquering evil and therefore leading to the transformation of the main character. I received the front cover and I have to tell you that it's modern, powerful, edgy and thought provoking. It is awesome! Even though this has been a record to cause controversy and a select few to question our motives and reasons for covering the songs that we recorded, our faith and beliefs have never been more confirmed and our message is the same as it has always been. We'll go to the grave making a bold stand for Christ and we will never deny that. At the same time, we wanted to show a different side to the band and make everyone aware of the fact that we literally "cut our teeth" on this music. Our history is what it is and there's no reason to avoid that or to say otherwise. These songs and bands have played a very important role in our own sound and musicianship and quite possibly we wouldn't be here today if it weren't for these bands. At the same time, we can play a cover song yet still remain faithful and present the message we've always presented. This record will show a whole new side to the band musically yet an even more powerful side to the band spiritually. I'm very proud (as we all are) to be a part of this record and a member of Stryper. We've stayed true to our convictions and there are great things store for the future! I'll be revealing the new artwork through my Twitter account soon."

As previously reported, Big 3 Records will release The Covering in the first quarter of 2011. An exact date has not been set but should be soon.

Following the success of their 25th Anniversary World Tour earlier this year, Stryper headed into the studio to work The Covering. The band's cover of the BLACK SABBATH classic 'Heaven And Hell' is now available on iTunes here.

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. 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'

Fans can preview all 12 covers at this location.

Check out The Covering album promo below: