STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet has checked in with the following update on the band's forthcoming studio album:

"What's the title of the new Stryper record, coming this fall on Frontiers Records? No More Hell To Pay. Our best? Absolutely!

Working on lead vocals and guitar solos today. The toughest part is coming up with new ideas. I know they're in there somewhere - looking now..."

In a new interview with Screamer Magatine, Sweet discusses the band's new album of re-recorded songs from their catalogue, Second Coming, and their forthcoming album of all original material. An excerpt from the story is available below:

The new material is going to be some of the heaviest material from Stryper we have ever seen, even heavier than To Hell With the Devil which is saying something. "Every song has a hooky guitar riff," enthuses Sweet. "Everything is in minor keys, so it’s a little darker sounding and a little tougher. It’s definitely our heaviest record and I think people will be pleasantly surprised."

A warning though, Stryper is known for its heaviness but they are also known for a poppier sound to their music in songs like 'Calling On You', and this album isn’t really for that part of the Stryper fan base.

"The people who do like the poppier side of Stryper like 'Calling On You', 'Holding On', this record isn’t going to really give them that," states Sweet. "There are a lot of vocal hooks and melodies going on but it’s a little darker, and a little edgier. To reference, there is less songs like 'Calling On You' and more songs like 'To Hell With The Devil'. It’s more in that vein than the poppier vein.”

Go to this location for the complete story.

Stryper's new re-recorded collection, Second Coming, hit the streets on March 22nd in Europe and on March 26th in North America. The complete album can now be previewed via iTunes here.

The album features sixteen tracks, including new recordings of fourteen songs from the band’s early years as well as two brand new songs recorded especially for Second Coming, and is produced by Stryper frontman Michael Sweet.

Second Coming tracklisting:

'Loud N’ Clear'

'Loving You'

'Soldiers Under Command'

'Makes Me Wanna Sing'

'First Love'

'The Rock That Makes Me Roll'

'Reach Out'

'Surrender'

'To Hell With The Devil'

'Calling On You'

'Free'

'The Way'

'Sing Along Song'

'More Than A Man'

Bleeding From Inside Out' (new song)

'Blackened' (new song)

The first single - a new studio cut 'Bleeding From Inside Out' - was released on February 25th.

Sweet recently commented, “We're really excited about this record. The re-recorded songs are sounding awesome… better than the originals in many ways! One word to describe the record? Heavier. We've hooked up with some great people - we've got new management, a great album, a great label. We just feel like everything is coming together, and hopefully some big things are to follow."

Check out some audio clips from the album below:

Stryper is one of the top Christian rock bands of all time. Comprised of the original line-up of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Tim Gaines (bass), and Robert Sweet (drums), Stryper has been rocking since 1984, and is responsible for such '80s metal classic albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell With The Devil, In God We Trust and such MTV hit singles/videos as 'Calling On You', 'Free', and 'Honestly'.

After a sabbatical for much of the 1990's, Stryper returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the band has sold upwards of 8 million records worldwide and is a Dove Award-winner and Grammy nominee. Stryper is the first band to have two songs in MTV’s Top 10 simultaneously.