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MICHAEL SWEET Reveals OZ FOX Doesn’t Appear On STRYPER’s ‘Throne Of Thorns’ LP: ‘I’m Playing All The Guitars On This Album’
STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet has revealed that fellow guitarist Oz Fox does not actually play on the Christian metal band's upcoming album "Throne Of Thorns", despite reviewers praising Fox's performance. Sweet explained that Fox's blood pressure issues affected his pitch and hearing during recording, leaving him unable to track guitars, so Sweet played all the guitar parts himself while trying to preserve Stryper's signature dual-guitar sound. The revelation matters both for fans awaiting the record and because it points to an ongoing health struggle for Fox, who has battled brain tumours since 2018.
Sweet made the comments in an interview with Canada's The Metal Voice, saying he only addressed the issue after an Italian outlet asked him to name his favourite Fox guitar solos on the new LP. "Throne Of Thorns", Stryper's eighteenth studio album, is due out on 25 September via Frontiers Music Srl, and Sweet said a fuller statement, including input from Fox himself, would follow before release. Fox has suffered seizures and undergone brain surgery since his tumours were first discovered in 2018, which previously forced him to miss touring commitments, including Stryper's 2024 acoustic tour.
In short
- Michael Sweet plays all guitars on Stryper's new album, not Oz Fox
- Fox's blood pressure issues affected his pitch and hearing during recording
- "Throne Of Thorns" is out 25 September; fuller statement expected soon
Explained simply
Stryper is a Christian metal band built around a distinctive dual-guitar sound. On their upcoming eighteenth studio album "Throne Of Thorns", due out on 25 September, guitarist Oz Fox did not actually perform any of the guitar parts, despite reviewers praising his playing. Frontman Michael Sweet revealed he played all the guitars himself while attempting to preserve the band's signature sound.
Fox's absence from the recording was due to health issues that affected his ability to perform. Blood pressure complications impaired his hearing and pitch perception during sessions, making it impossible for him to properly record his guitar parts. Sweet made the comments after being asked by an interviewer to identify his favourite Fox guitar solos on the new record.
Fox has battled serious health challenges since 2018. The guitarist was diagnosed with brain tumours that year, resulting in seizures and multiple surgical procedures. These health conditions have previously forced him to miss touring dates with Stryper, including the band's 2024 acoustic tour.
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