STRYPER Frontman Checks In From Bolivia

Christian hard rockers STRYPER are scheduled to kick off a South American tour on August 11 in La Paz, Bolivia.

The band's frontman, Michael Sweet, has checked in with the following update:

"We had an eventful day on August 7th as we departed for Bolivia — trying to get out of multiple airports to hook up in Miami only to see Oz [Fox, guitar] and Robert [Sweet, drums] asked to exit the plane and then to sit at the gate, on the plane, for two hours.

"Apparently some people tried to sneak on the plane and immigration pulled them off and went through the luggage. My first reaction was, 'Oh, man, they arrested Robert and Oz!' I, at least, got a good laugh out of that thought.

"Although Tim [Gaines, bass] and I were a little stir crazy, we took off on made our way to Bolivia. We landed close to midnight and made it through customs relatively quickly. We had a good amount of fans there to greet us (100+) and they had been waiting until 6 or 7ish... Robert and Oz made it in around 7 a.m. and were a bit tired.

"I tell you, if anything there is a band that could plays the roles in a new 'Spinal Tap' sequel, we are the guys! Everything that could happen usually happens to us and it's to a point where you just have to laugh. I laughed so hard yesterday my face was sore when I finally went to bed (4 a.m.). We're still paying our dues and maybe, just maybe someday it'll pay off and we'll be big 'rock stars' so we can look back on all the looniness and share our unique stories with our grandkids.... They most likely will never believe us!!!

"Anyway, they expect a very large crowd. We are performing in an outdoor amphitheater that holds 9 - 10 thousand. Should be an incredible night and a long overdue opportunity to play for our Bolivian fans.

"I count my blessings and I look forward to what the future will bring. Great things ahead."

Following the success of their 25th-anniversary world tour earlier this year, STRYPER headed into the studio to work on their new album, "The Covering", tentatively scheduled for release October 13 via Big3 Records.

"The Covering", produced by frontman 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 hits from JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, LED ZEPPELIN, KANSAS and many others. A cover of BLACK SABBATH's classic track "Heaven and Hell" will be the first single, with an expected iTunes release in advance of the album. "The Covering" will also include "God", a new original recording from STRYPER.

"The Covering" track listing:

01. SWEET - "Set Me Free"
02. SCORPIONS - "Blackout"
03. BLACK SABBATH - "Heaven and Hell"
04. UFO - "Lights Out"
05. KANSAS - "Carry On Wayward Son"
06. DEEP PURPLE - "Highway Star"
07. KISS - "Shout It Out Loud"
08. OZZY OSBOURNE - "Over The Mountain"
09. IRON MAIDEN - "The Trooper"
10. JUDAS PRIEST - "Breaking The Law"
11. VAN HALEN - "On Fire"
12. LED ZEPPELIN - "Immigrant Song"
13. God