When it comes to groundbreaking bands in the Christian hard-rock genre, Stryper is renowned for its distinctive brand of “heavenly metal,” extraordinary crossover success and venerable endurance. The group ascended to prominence in the 1980s with Billboard Top 40 hits like “Calling on You,” “Honestly” and “Always There for You.”

Stryper’s career album sales exceed 10 million worldwide, including 1986’s multiplatinum release To Hell with the Devil. The band also made history when it notched two songs simultaneously in MTV’s Top 10 with videos “Free” and “Honestly.”

Today, close to 40 years after emerging from the southern California nightclub scene, the foursome continues to record, tour and perform for devoted fans around the globe. Comprising three original members including brothers Michael Sweet and Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitar) and newest bandmate, veteran bassist Perry Richardson (formerly of Firehouse), the group finds itself continuing to create their finest, most powerful music yet.

In 1998, Carabello was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Latin rock group Santana. “Innovator” is a label that is commonly misused in musician’s biographies. However in this case, if Michael Carabello hadn’t convinced his shy high school friend, Carlos Santana, to merge his rhythm guitar playing with conga drums; to lend his name to the band because it sounded so cool; to bring in timbale player Jose “Chepito” Areas; and if he hadn’t persuaded the Santana band to look beyond the blues — the Santana sound as we know it, internationally recognized for its percussion and guitar work, might not exist.  Michael set the standard for all conga players in rock and roll, World Beat and dance music. He set the benchmark that is still firmly in place today.