STRYPER Continues to Dominate Billboard Charts with New Studio Album "God Damn Evil"

By Tmothy Yap May 02, 2018 05:07 PM EDT

STRYPER continues to dominate the hard rock/heavy metal scene with the their critically-acclaimed tenth studio album, God Damn Evil (Frontiers Music srl). Released on April 20, the album debuts at #1 on Billboard's Christian Album Sales, #2 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums, #3 on Billboard's Top Current Hard Music Albums, #5 on Billboard's Top Independent Current Albums, #7 on Billboard's Top Current Rock Albums, #12 on Billboard's Top Current Physical Albums, #14 on Billboard's Top Current Albums, #21 on Billboard's Top Current Digital Albums and #77 on Billboard Top 200.

In addition, God Damn Evil soared to #1 on the iTunes and Amazon Hard Rock charts immediately upon release.

"In today's music world it's miraculous for a band like STRYPER to even chart at all," says frontman Michael Sweet. "We're absolutely thrilled that we're still making our best music to date and climbing the charts 34 years later. We love what we do and we're so blessed to do it. We're grateful for so much support!"

More than 3 decades after exploding onto the rock scene, STRYPER has delivered one of their most critically-acclaimed releases to date. "STRYPER shines on God Damn Evil," said the Associated Press, and National Rock Review declared the album "...an instant classic in every way from start to finish." Overdrive Magazine called God Damn Evil "a masterpiece" while legendary rock station KNAC said it was "one of the best STRYPER albums ever and a must-have for every metalhead."

Prior to the album's release, STRYPER released a mini-documentary titled "Renewed" wherein band members opened up about their past and future. After 35 years, the band is re-energized with new music, a new world tour, and the addition of Perry Richardson on bass. Richardson, a founding member of the multi-platinum band Firehouse, joins original STRYPER members Michael Sweet (vocals and guitar), Robert Sweet (drums) and Oz Fox (guitar).

Watch STRYPER's "Renewed" mini documentary here: https://youtu.be/69Zxu_LtNRI

Rocking since 1984, STRYPER is responsible for such classic '80s metal albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell with the Devil and In God We Trust. In fact, STRYPER is the first band (and the only Christian band) to ever have two songs in MTV's Top 10 simultaneously with their hits "Free" and "Honestly." After a sabbatical for much of the 1990's, STRYPER returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the Dove Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated band has sold over 10 million records worldwide.

God Damn Evil is available now wherever you can buy or stream music: http://radi.al/GodDamnEvil

Watch STRYPER's "The Valley" Music Video: https://youtu.be/duEBraRtteo

Watch STRYPER's "Sorry" Music Video: https://youtu.be/ByWWzDl_xrw

STRYPER GOD DAMN EVIL WORLD TOUR DATES:
APRIL 28 - FRONTIERS ROCK FESTIVAL - MILAN, ITALY
MAY 5 - M3 ROCK FESTIVAL - COLUMBIA, MD
MAY 6 - AGORA THEATRE - CLEVELAND, OH
MAY 8 - GRAMERCY THEATRE - NEW YORK, NY
MAY 9 - STONE PONY - ASBURY, NJ
MAY 10 - JERGLE'S RHYTHM GRILLE - WARRENDALE, PA
MAY 12 - MIXX 360 - MALDEN, MA
MAY 13 - FISH HEAD CANTINA - HALETHORPE, MD
MAY 14 - SELLERSVILLE THEATER - SELLERSVILLE, PA
MAY 16 - DIESEL CONCERT LOUNGE - CHESTERFIELD, MI
MAY 17 - THE INTERSECTION - GRAND RAPIDS, MI
MAY 18 - GREEN BAY DISTILLERY - GREEN BAY, WI
MAY 19 - ROUTE 47 PUB N GRUB - FRIDLEY, MN
MAY 22 - THE SIDE ROOM IN RALSTON ARENA - RALSTON, NE
MAY 23 - VAL AIR BALLROOM - WEST DES MOINES, IA
MAY 25 - STAR PAVILION @ AMERISTAR CASINO HOTEL - KANSAS CITY, MO
MAY 26 - BMI SPEEDWAY - VERSAILLES, OH
MAY 27 - BRAT FEST - MADISON, WI
MAY 30 - IDL BALLROOM - TULSA, OK
MAY 31 - PROOF BAR ROOFTOP LOUNGE - HOUSTON, TX
JUNE 1 - GAS MONKEY LIVE! - DALLAS, TX
JUNE 3 - PHARR EVENTS CENTER - PHARR, TX
JUNE 5 - SAM'S BURGER JOINT - SAN ANTONIO, TX
JUNE 7 - CENTER STAGE - ATLANTA, GA
JUNE 8 - THE FOUNDATION PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - SPINDALE, NC
JUNE 9 - CANNERY BALLROOM - NASHVILLE, TN
JULY 7 - BARCELONA ROCK FEST - BARCELONA, SPAIN
AUGUST 25 - KAWASAKI CLUB CITTA - TOKYO, JAPAN
AUGUST 26 - KAWASAKI CLUB CITTA - TOKYO, JAPAN
SEPTEMBER 7 - GRAND ROCKTEMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL - HINCKLEY, MN
SEPTEMBER 8 - THE ARCADA THEATRE - ST. CHARLES, IL
SEPTEMBER 13 - HOUSE OF BLUES - ORLANDO, FL
SEPTEMBER 15 - ROCK IN VIVO FEST @ VIVO BEACH CLUB - ISLA VERDE, PUERTO RICO
OCTOBER 19 - THE VENUE - DENVER, CO
OCTOBER 20 - LEATHERHEADS SPORTS BAR - DRAPER, UT
OCTOBER 25 - THE MARQUEE - TEMPE, AZ
OCTOBER 26 - RIALTO THEATRE - TUSCON, AZ
OCTOBER 31 - WHISKY A GO GO - WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
NOVEMBER 4 - ACE OF SPADES - SACRAMENTO, CA
Additional tour dates to be added.