STRYPER has released the official lyric video for "Ashes To Roses," a new song pulled from the veteran Christian metal band's upcoming eighteenth studio album, "Throne Of Thorns," due September 25 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Frontman Michael Sweet says the track marks a deliberate shift in tone for the band. "'Ashes To Roses' is definitely a little different for us," Sweet said. "It's got a little bit more of a throwback/classic rock vibe yet it's got everything you would expect from STRYPER. It's going to appeal to all the people out there who have been wanting a good melodic rock ballad from the band. You asked, we listened!"
"Ashes To Roses" lands as the ninth of eleven songs on "Throne Of Thorns," slotted between "Beautifully Broken" and "Alone Again" on the tracklist:
- Throne Of Thorns
- Here In Your Heart
- Falling
- I'm Alright (I'm Okay)
- Waiting For You
- Carry The Flame
- Hollywood
- Beautifully Broken
- Ashes To Roses
- Alone Again
- Shadowbreaker
The new lyric video follows the band's release of the "Throne Of Thorns" title track and its accompanying music video this past June. Sweet has called that song a perfect representation of the band's 43 years, while bassist Perry Richardson has said the record's material draws from living, struggling, growing, and refusing to quit. Drummer Robert Sweet has said the whole lineup worked hard to make "Throne Of Thorns" what he believes is the band's best record yet.
As previously reported, Sweet ended up handling all of the album's guitar parts himself after longtime guitarist Oz Fox was unable to record due to ongoing health issues.
"Throne Of Thorns" is credited to Michael Sweet (lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar), Robert Sweet (drums and percussion), Oz Fox (vocals, lead and rhythm guitar) and Perry Richardson (vocals, bass), and arrives via Frontiers Music Srl on September 25.