Stryper’s Michael Sweet Reveals the Guest Star List for His Next Solo Album

"There are some songs on the record that are definitely on the heavier side of things and will have some people talking," Stryper vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet tells Noisecreep. But he isn't referring to the "Yellow and Black Attack" at the moment.

Sweet is on the phone talking about his upcoming sixth solo album: "I think some people might even hear a few things on this solo record and say, 'Wow! Why isn't this on a Stryper record?' Yeah, some of it has that kind of Stryper edge. But there are a lot of other types of styles on the album.

"There are some songs that have a more straight-ahead, radio-rock feel to them -- big hooks and melodic kind of stuff. Then there are a couple of ballads on the album too. There's a piano ballad on there. Oh yeah, there's also this song called "Coming Home" that has a Southern rock vibe to it with steel guitars in it. Then there's a song with a Beatlesque thing going on," Sweet reveals.

Noisecreep asks the Stryper mainman if we could expect any guest stars on the forthcoming solo record: "I'm really excited because I have Kenny Aronoff (veteran studio drummer who has worked with everyone from John Mellencamp to Elton John and currently touring in Chickenfoot) playing on the record and everything is sounding slamming!

"Tony Harnell (ex-TNT) is singing some harmony stuff on a song called "Taking on the World Tonight." It's crazy because we both can get up there and when you hear both of us on this song, you won't believe how high the notes get [laughs]. Let's see, I also have Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, ex-Lion) playing a guitar solo on a track. Kevin Max, who used to be in dc Talk, sings on a track. I originally had Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe) ready to play some stuff on the record, but with his Mötley's tour with KISS coming up, he had to bow out. But he was a sweetheart to even consider it. Hopefully we can do something together, down the road."

Besides his world class vocals and songwriting chops, Sweet says he's also taking the opportunity to showcase another aspect of his musical skills on the solo album: "Outside of the Doug Aldrich solo, I'm playing all of the guitar tracks on this album. I think that my guitar playing gets forgotten a lot because I'm a singer. This record gives me a chance to remind some people about my guitar skills [laughs]. I'm really excited for everyone to hear these songs!"

Michael Sweet's new solo album will be out sometime later in 2012. Catch Stryper out on tour on the following dates:

5.10.12 Tailgaters Bolingbrook, IL (Chicago)

5.12.12 M3 Festival Columbia, MD

5.17.12 House of blues Dallas, TX

5.18.12 House of blues Houston, TX

5.19.12 Santa Fe Station Las Vegas, NV

5.24.12 BB Kings New York, NY

5.25.12 Showcase Live Foxborough, MA

5.26.12 Rock Junction West Greenwich, RI

6.01.12 The Marque Tempe, AZ

6.02.12 Speaking Rock Casino El Paso, TX Special Guest Stephen Pearcy/ RATT

6.03.12 El Corazon Seattle, WA

7.06.12 Seaside Festival Risoya, Norway

7.07.12 Gulbranna Festival Halmstad, Sweden

7.28.12 HalfwayJam Royalton, MN

9.19.12 Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima, India

9.22.12 DDSC Dimapur, India

11.16.12 Poliedro de Caracas Caracas, Venezuela

11.17.12 Complejo Ferial Bicentenario Barqusimeto,Venezuela