SleazeRoxx.com recently caught up with STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet to discuss the band's new album, The Covering. In addition, Sweet addresses the controvery that surround being a "God glam metal" band.

Sleaze Roxx: Why do you think the artwork for To Hell With The Devil was so controversial? It pales in comparison to the artwork found on black metal or death metal albums.

Michael Sweet: "I really don't know. You've got to wonder why Stryper, over the years, have been so controversial. There is a pentagram on Satan's necklace being torn off by an angel, but I tend to believe that even if there hadn't been a pentagram on the cover people would have freaked out. It was unbelievable because we were being accused of not being a Christian band. People didn't look at the complete picture, they didn't read the lyrics, they didn't get. People are closed minded -- and that's why the world is in the state that it is right now."

Sleaze Roxx: It's interesting that Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.) has become more spiritual throughout the years. I spoke to him about a year ago and he uses biblical references in his music and has stopped playing one of his signature and most controversial songs, 'Animal', in recent years. Some of his fans are giving him a hard time for pulling that song out of the set-list and it hasn't been played in years.

Michael Sweet: "It's amazing how people can be sometimes. I think it's great that the guy found God. Blackie chooses not to do the song because he feels convicted by doing the song. That's a stand-up guy -- that's honorable. You don't slap someone on the wrists because he's honorable. It's amazing how people are, just because he's not doing that controversial song that made him famous the guy is now a jerk? I don't understand it. A true fan wouldn't do that, a true fan would respect and honor it. I support it and applaud it."

Click here for the complete interview.

Stryper recently announced that they have a limited amount of copies of their new album, The Covering, for sale on their official website - click here to order.

The Covering was released by Big 3 Records on February 15th. Check out full-length versions of the band covering KISS' 'Shout It Out Loud', LED ZEPPELIN' 'Immigrant Song', SWEET's 'Set Me Free', UFO's 'Lights Out', VAN HALEN's 'On Fire', SCORPIONS' 'Blackout', OZZY OSBOURNE's 'Over The Mountain' and the new song 'God' below:

KISS' 'Shout It Out Loud':

LED ZEPPELIN' 'Immigrant Song':

SWEET's 'Set Me Free':

UFO's 'Lights Out':

VAN HALEN's 'On Fire':

SCORPIONS' 'Blackout':

OZZY OSBOURNE's 'Over The Mountain':

'God':