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Twelve months ago red hot US rockers Tesla walked away with the 2008 rushonrock Album of The Year and this year’s race to the top has been just as compelling.

There have been some cracking releases from established acts and some surprise hits from hitherto unknown bands.

And while we haven’t always given them the credit they deserve at the time, several albums released earlier this year have really grown on the rushonrock staff.

So get ready for our list of the 20 best records we’ve heard in 2009 and feel free to respond with your own! Read the rest of this entry »

Michael Sweet (pictured) makes a stunning return to form with Christian rockers Stryper this week and it’s ironic his band goes up against The Used – whose frontman Bert McCracken has owned up to urinating in holy water in the past.

In a bumper week for new releases we also check out the newie from trad metal stars 3 Inches Of Blood, bizarre label mates iwrestledabearonce and Chuck Ragan‘s impressive solo offering. Plus there’s the new records by Cain’s Offering and Outloud. Now, what to spend that spare tenner on…

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Christian rock legends Stryper are back in the big time with the release of their fantastic new record Murder By Pride.

Ahead of its UK release on Monday, rushonrock caught up with frontman Michael Sweet and the one-time hair metal hero was in typically candid mood. Stand by for his thoughts on rock, religion, losing his faith and losing his wife. Read the rest of this entry »

Another rocking week gets off to a pretty raucous start with pop punksters New Found Glory in town for an ‘intimate’ show at Newcastle’s Carling Academy II.

We’ve got a full and exclusive interview with the king of Christian Rock – Stryper‘s Michael Sweet. And before all of you cynics out there start to mock, this guy has some seriously interesting things to say. There’s also the welcome return of Saxon to the rushonrock pages as the NWOBHM greats hit The Vinyl Countdown. Plus there’s a chance to get up close and personal with Geordie frontman Roachie from the fantastic Fables Last Stand! And there’s more… Read the rest of this entry »

He’s been touched by tragedy, panned by critics and pilloried for his religion but Michael Sweet remains one of the finest melodic rock singers of his generation.

And with new record Murder By Pride out later this month, the frank Stryper frontman took time out to reveal just what makes him tick away from the demanding world of Christian Rock.

Look out for a full interview with Sweet on rushonrock very soon. Read the rest of this entry »

With new album Herald Moth hitting stores very soon we caught up with INME frontman Dave McPherson for the latest rushonrock exclusive and you can read it right here this week!

We check in with Stryper frontman Michael Sweet to find out what goes on behind the scenes when you’re fronting one of the biggest Christian rock bands on the planet. And while we’re on the subject of hair metal it’s time for Warrant to make their presence felt on The Vinyl Countdown. Read the rest of this entry »

Christian metal pioneers Stryper are planning to cross the Pond in the new year after their latest album landed inside the top 75 on the Billboard charts back home.

In an exclusive chat with rushonrock, frontman Michael Sweet confirmed the Stateside success of Murder By Pride – released in the UK on Frontiers Records at the end of the month – revealed a January 2010 trip is in the pipeline.

And he added: “It looks like fans are finally getting what we’re all about. But we’re always up against it being a band from the 80s and a Christian band!” Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a long time coming but in-your-face Brit rockers Dear Superstar are finally planning the follow-up to slow burning hit Heartless after six months of serious progress on the road. We’ve got an exclusive behind-the-scenes studio report coming up this week - plus an interview with frontman Micky.

We’re also catching up with another singer called Michael – Michael Sweet of Stryper after the Christian hair metal legends crashed the Billboard charts with their fantastic new record Murder By Pride. And after a three-week hiatus we can confirm uber columnist Self Made Man will be back on Friday! We promise.

Elsewhere we’ll be in Newcastle on Wednesday watching the progress of Dirty Rock And Roll as they continue to etch their Feeder/Stereophonics/Subways-style rock into the hearts and minds of North East audiences everywhere. It should be good. Read the rest of this entry »

Stryper – Always There For You (M Sweet) b/w In God We Trust (M Sweet/R Sweet) 1988

Long before P.O.D. peppered the charts with their Christian Rock, the hair metal generation were worshipping at the feet of pretty boys Stryper.

Just what the Almighty (not the band) thought of lurid yellow lycra and planet-savaging aerosols is anyone’s guess but it didn’t seem to do this particular God squad any harm at all. In fact the Orange County band managed to sell millions of records on the back of their sugary sweet messages of love and harmony coupled with a slew of MTV friendly videos. Read the rest of this entry »

One event dominates the rushonrock week as we head north of the border for a date with the greatest rock and roll band on the planet. But before we see AC/DC at Hampden Park tomorrow we’ll be catching up with The Answer backstage and getting all the latest gossip on what has been an incredible journey for the in-form Irishmen. 

If that’s not enough to get your rock juices flowing we’ll be checking in with Shinedown‘s Zach Myers to bring you yet another exclusive interview. And if you ever wondered what UFO‘s Andy Parker gets up to behind the scenes all will be revealed later this week as the drummer takes his bow in the rushonrock Rider. And there’s more… Read the rest of this entry »