Throwback Thursday: Michael Sweet discusses Stryper’s “To Hell with the Devil”

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

Music History, Music Commentary, Music, Music Interviews

4.9 • 923 Ratings

🗓️ 30 October 2025

⏱️ 62 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week’s Throwback Thursday episode revisits Episode 77, originally released on November 15th, 2021, featuring Stryper frontman Michael Sweet. As the first Christian heavy metal band to break into the mainstream, Stryper made history with their 1986 platinum-certified album To Hell with the Devil. Michael breaks down the creation of the album’s thunderous title track, sharing stories behind its bold message, blazing riffs, and the band’s unexpected rise to fame in a genre not known for preaching salvation. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free releases of new episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, full video versions of episodes, and MUCH more, head to the Patreon at ⁠http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com Follow Chris DeMakes A Podcast on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chrisdemakesapodcast/⁠ Join the Chris DeMakes A Podcast community on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/2643961642526928/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:27.2	Unlock up to 10 your nectar prices weekly
0:29.0	available in supermarkets online and in locals with smart shop.
0:31.9	TNCs apply.
0:33.8	But I see your true color shining blue. I see your true colors shining blue.
0:39.5	I see your true colors.
0:43.0	That's why I love you.
0:46.1	Hey, everybody.
0:47.1	I'm Chris Tamakesa podcast producer Chris Fafalius.
0:50.0	Here to bring you another throwback Thursday episode.
0:54.0	If you're listening to this the day it comes out,
0:56.2	tonight is devil's night,
0:57.7	so it only seemed appropriate to throw it back to November of 2021
1:01.7	when Michael Sweet sat in to discuss the writing and recording
1:05.3	of Strippers to Hell with the Devil.
1:08.9	The song was the second track on the album of the same name,
1:11.9	and it was released on October 24, 1986,
1:15.6	so I thought we'd take a look at what was going on in the world of music
	...

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