STRYPER: New Album Samples Available

Reactivated Christian hard rockers STRYPER have released the first three audio samples from their forthcoming album, "Murder By Pride". Three new samples will be released every Sunday at 11:00 p.m. EST.

"Murder By Pride" track listing:

01. Eclipse Of The Son (audio)
02. 4 Leaf Clover (audio)
03. Love Is Why (audio)
04. Murder By Pride
05. The Plan
06. I'm Alive
07. I Believe
08. Mercy Over Blame
09. Run In You
10. Everything
11. My Love (I'll Always Show)
12. Peace Of Mind

Commented singer Michael Sweet: "After years of speaking to fans and hearing comments like 'more guitars,' 'more solos' and 'more screams,' I decided to keep those comments in mind as I wrote each song. It was important to me to try to get back to that early sound of STRYPER yet at the same time, to remain relevant today. It's certainly not an easy thing to do but as I listen to 'Murder By Pride', I think that was accomplished.

"I got the idea of the title 'Murder By Pride' from seeing pride consume dreams, goals and many times, lives. We all deal with pride and it can be crippling, so I wanted to write a lyric and a theme that would be a constant reminder of that. This record has been in the works for a long, long time and I can only hope that it was worth the wait!"

In other news, STRYPER is giving the opportunity of a lifetime: Design the album cover for "Murder By Pride". According to the band, "over the years STRYPER fans have shown their creativity through design and art. Now’s the time to show the world what STRYPER fans have to offer creatively."

Details:

Deadline: January 21, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. EST

Specifications:

* 1400 pixels by 1400 pixels at 300dpi
* JPG format for submission purposes
* Winners will be required to submit original layered files
* Do not use any photos of the band in the artwork
* Drawings are okay, but no photos of the band
* All designs must be original content (i.e. you may not use a photo or graphic you find on the internet)

Winner will receive:

* Album artwork credit printed in CD liner notes
* Autographed copy of the record
* A follow-up / thank-you phone call from Michael Sweet

Note: No monetary value is placed on submissions. Winning artwork will become property of Big3 Records whereby Big3 Records reserves the right to alter or edit original artwork as needed.

Submit artwork to: [email protected].

Include your:

* First and last name
* E-Mail address
* Contact phone number

A limited-edition authorized STRYPER 25th anniversary coffee-table book is in the works that will feature never-before-published pictures, reflections from the band, and rare collectibles from all over the world.

STRYPER's most recent CD, "Reborn", is available on Big3 Records. "Reborn" marked STRYPER's first complete studio release of original material in over a decade, since 1990's "Against the Law", and features 10 original tracks as well a new version of the previously released track "In God We Trust". The album was recorded in Massachusetts at Blue Jay Studio, Mixed Emotions, and singer Michael Sweet's home studio.