STRYPER's Michael Sweet says that he is "a guitarist first" and "a vocalist second."

Sweet made the distinction in a Facebook post in which he addressed the fact that people still come up to him at every show and tell him that they didn't know he played the instrument.

Michael wrote: "I'm a guitarist first, a vocalist second. I started playing guitar when I was 5 (badly of course) and I've always considered myself a guitarist who sings, not a singer who plays.

"I'm not a 'shredder.' I don't try to impress with my solos. I simply try to write for the song and from the heart. I want every note to speak and touch the listener.

"To this very day, I still have people at every show come up to me and say 'I didn't know you played.' I'm never really sure how to respond to that comment but I usually smile and say 'Yeah, I play a little.'

"To all the folks out there who do know that I play (and who appreciate what I play), thank you! My guitar is a part of me. When I set it down live for a song I feel as though I've been stripped down and am completely naked. It's such a part of me that without it I feel uncomfortable and somewhat out of place.

"As much as I love singing, I love playing even more. If that day ever comes when my voice is gone and I can't sing anymore I can always just play.

"Maybe someday I'll do an instrumental album just for fun."

STRYPER recently completed the 2019 "History Tour - Greatest Hits & Covers That Influenced Our Generation".

STRYPER's albums include "To Hell With The Devil", "Second Coming", "No More Hell To Pay", "Fallen" and the band's latest effort, "God Damn Evil".

Sweet's tenth solo album, "Ten", was released on October 11 via Rat Pak Records in North America and Frontiers Music Srl in Europe.

