Michael Sweet – Stryper – Exclusive Interview – 10/31/2025

Episode 132: Michael Sweet of Stryper – A Halloween Conversation About Christmas, songwriting , and the future plans of Michael Sweet. Recorded October 31, 2025.

For this special Halloween edition of the Rock Interview Series, I sat down with Michael Sweet—vocalist, guitarist, and founding force behind the legendary Christian hard rock band Stryper. With over four decades of music behind him, Sweet remains as prolific, passionate, and purpose-driven as ever.

In this episode, we unwrap the story behind Stryper’s long-awaited Christmas album, “The Greatest Gift of All,” dropping November 21st via Frontiers Music. “We’ve been asked to make a Christmas album going back to ’85,” Sweet recalls. “We just never had the time. Touring, recording, life—it was always a blur. But this year, we said, ‘Let’s go do it.’ And we did.”

The result? A ten-track collection split between five original songs and five covers, including a re-recorded version of “Reason for the Season.” Sweet explains, “The originals could’ve fit on any Stryper record. Musically, they’re heavy. What makes it Christmassy are the lyrics—and a few bells here and there.”

We also talk about Still the Light, the first single off the album—a thunderous track that could’ve landed on any of their classic records. “It’s not just a Christmas album,” Sweet says. “You could listen to this any time of year. It sounds like Stryper.”

Beyond the new release, we reflect on Sweet’s staggering output: nearly 400 songs written, 18 Stryper albums, a dozen solo records, and countless side projects. “It’s easy to write a song,” he admits. “The hard part is writing a great one—something memorable, emotional, powerful. That’s always the goal.”

Sweet’s mission remains clear: to inspire, uplift, and challenge listeners—not just to tap their foot, but to feel something deeper. “I want it to be a heart moment and a mind moment,” he says. “Maybe even see a positive change in someone from a song.”

For more on Stryper, visit www.stryper.com For more on Michael Sweet, visit www.michaelsweet.com

Watch my interview with Michael Sweet below.