Formed in 1983 and the first Christian rock band to be recognized by the mainstream, Stryper released The Covering on Feb. 15 via Big3 Records (Sony).

The album is a collection of 12 cover songs from bands that inspired Stryper and helped to shape the band's sound and musical identity, including past hits such as "Blackout (Scorpions); "Heaven and Hell" (Black Sabbath); "Lights Out" (UFO); "Carry On Wayward Son" (Kansas); "Highway Star" (Deep Purple); "Shout It Out Loud" (Kiss);  "Over The Mountain" (Ozzy Osbourne); "The Trooper" (Iron Maiden); "Breaking The Law" (Judas Priest); "On Fire" (Van Halen); and "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin). The Covering also includes "God," a new original song.

The group's lineup features original members Michael Sweet (lead vocals and guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Robert Sweet (drums) and Tim Gaines (bass).

Meanwhile, Petra—which formed in 1972 and was regarded as the most popular Christian rock band in the 1980s and the early 1990s—released Back to the Rock on Jan. 25 through Sony Blue. The CD includes the songs "Angel of Light"; "More Power to Ya"; "Bema Seat"; "Grave Robber"; and "God Pleaser."

Using the name Classic Petra, the band's lineup features Bob Hartman (guitars), Louie Weaver (drums), John Lawry (keyboards), Mark Kelly (bass) and Greg X Volz (vocals).

In more than three decades, Petra had numerous lineup changes yet released 24 studio albums as well as three Spanish-language and two live albums, selling nearly 10 million copies. The band was nominated for 13 GRAMMY Awards, winning four, as well as 10 Dove Awards.

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