Stryper frontman Michael Sweet played an exclusive solo show at the Spire Center For The Performing Arts in Plymouth, MA on December 19th. His set featured Stryper songs, material from his solo catalogue, and popular Christmas carols. Fan-filmed video from the show is available below:

Sweet recently checked in with the following update:

"The South American run is done! It was an exhausting two weeks but one of the best as well. Unfortunately, I got sick a week ago and was fighting trying to sing with some sort of bug/virus. It's always a little tough when you have to go out and perform when you don't have 100% control over your voice. Ha! I guess when I think about it, I never really have 100% control anyway :-)

Thank you Brazil and Argentina for such a memorable tour and we do look forward to next time, sooner than later! We love you all!

So what does 2015 bring? A new Stryper album, a solo tour, some Sweet & Lynch dates, producing a Gabbie Rae album, and recording a new solo album - whew!

Stryper will also be performing on MOR Cruise as well as doing the 3rd annual Stryper Fan weekend. We may do a few select dates throughout the year but the plan is to get the Stryper batteries recharged again and get some long overdue things in order and come out stronger and better in 2016.

From my heart - I am very sincere as I type this here in Rio - I thank God everyday for all of you. For your constant prayers, support and belief in me and what I do. I'm a very blessed man and if it was all to end now, I'd say that I've had the chance to do exactly what I've always wanted to do - inspire people and give them something more than just music. More important, a life changing message of Gods love and grace. Lord willing, much more to come yet it's been a lifetime of accomplishments.

I'm very excited to see what will be done with the Sweet & Lynch album coming out on 1/27. Although George and I have different views/beliefs, it's still an album filled with faith and conviction. I wouldn't be a part of it if it did not have that. I will always shine a light and will never let darkness overrule what I'm called to do, ever!

God bless you guys and I look forward to seeing you and hearing from you throughout 2015! It's going to be an amazing year!"

Sweet and legendary guitarist George Lynch of Lynch Mob/Dokken have teamed up to form a new supergroup, Sweet & Lynch. Joining them on this new musical adventure is bassist James Lomenzo and drummer Brian Tichy. The band will release their debut album, Only To Rise, on January 23rd in Europe and January 27th in North America via Frontiers Music Srl. Sweet & Lynch recently launched a pre-order for the new album via PledgeMusic. The pre-order features various bundle packages for fans and is live at this location.

"When I was approached to help put together an all-star lineup, instantly I thought of George Lynch,” explains Sweet. “George is one of the most talented guitarists out there and a ‘bucket list’ player for me. George wrote riffs/basic ideas and I wrote melodies, lyrics and arranged and completed the songs. I knew that we would compliment each other's style. When you add the amazing rhythm section of Brian Tichy and James Lomenzo, you just can't go wrong with this line-up. It really is a special project and I'm honored to be a part of it!"

From the opening notes of “The Wish” to the drum solo finish on the album-closer “Only To Rise,” it is evident that this musical partnership between Michael Sweet’s unmistakable voice and George Lynch’s signature guitar tone has yielded incredible results. Songs “Like A Dying Rose,” “Me Without You” and “Strength In Numbers” showcase the diversity that permeates throughout the entire album.

Sweet & Lynch released a lyric video for the 9/11 inspired track “September” which can be seen below. An EPK featuring Michael and George discussing this new project can also be found below. Only To Rise was produced by Michael Sweet who also produced the last Stryper album, No More Hell To Pay, which received massive fan praise and critical acclaim alike.

Only To Rise tracklisting:            

"The Wise"      

"Like A Dying Rose"
"Love Stays"
"Time Will Tell"
"Rescue Me"
"Me Without You"
"Recover"
"Divine"
"September"
"Strength In Numbers"
"Hero-Zero"
"Only To Rise"

"September" lyric video:

EPK: