Stryper

is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet (lead vocals, guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Tim Gaines (bass guitar), and Robert Sweet (drums). In 2004, Gaines left the band and was replaced by Tracy Ferrie (bass guitar) but rejoined in 2009.

Formed in 1983 as Roxx Regime, they would change their message and name to Stryper and go on to be the first Christian rock band to be recognized by the mainstream.^[2] In 1983, they were signed by Enigma Records and released their first album The Yellow and Black Attack. By the mid-1980s, Stryper saw their most successful period starting with the release of To Hell with the Devil, which achieved Platinum sales status. Stryper would go on to release two more Gold albums before breaking up in 1992. In 2003, Stryper came out of retirement for a reunion tour and subsequently signed a multi-album contract with Big3 Records in 2005.

New album and back on the road (2006-present)

In November 2006, Stryper announced new management. They also announced a follow-up to Reborn tentatively due in spring/summer 2007. However, that February saw lead singer Michael Sweet postponing the release of the new album two days before its recording was to begin. Sweet's wife Kyle had been diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer, and the new album was put on hold so that he could care for his family and ailing wife. She underwent surgery and treatment from February 14 to July 14. In April 2008, Kyle announced that her cancer had returned as of October 2007. The new album was in the mixing stage as of January 2008, and Sweet said that it should be released in July or August.^[15]

Michael Sweet performed with the band Boston in 2007 and was asked to join the band as co-lead vocalist and guitarist and toured with Boston in 2008 with Styx as the opening act.

On March 5, 2009, Michael Sweet's wife, Kyle, died from cancer.^[16] Murder by Pride was released on July 21, 2009; with the lead single "Peace of Mind" preceding it.

In addition to still playing in Stryper, Oz Fox is also one of the guitarists in the Christian metal band Bloodgood, who was also a frontrunner in the early '80s Christian metal scene.

Since late 2008, Tim Gaines has played bass in concert with Tourniquet. The band has since added the song "To Hell With The Devil" to their set list to highlight Tim's involvement. Recently,^[when?] Oz Fox joined Tourniquet on stage in Germany to perform the same song.