Michael Sweet of Christian rock band Stryper recently addressed potential criticisms surrounding the video for their new single “Betrayed By Love.” The track is from their latest album When We Were Kings, released via Frontiers Music Srl on September 13, 2024. The band, which includes Michael Sweet (vocals/guitar), Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitar), and Perry Richardson (bass), unveiled the video with some creative decisions that Sweet wanted to clarify upfront.
In a post on his Facebook account, Sweet explained the reasoning behind certain choices in the video:
Band Absence: The other band members do not appear in the video. Sweet explained that logistical challenges such as time and budget constraints made it impossible to include the full band. Instead, Sweet filmed his own segments, singing and playing the guitar solo.
Use of AI: Sweet acknowledged the use of AI in the video, despite his mixed feelings on the technology. He noted that while he’s voiced concerns about AI in recent interviews, blending it with human interaction for the video was a practical choice given the budget. Sweet emphasized they wanted to avoid using live actors, which could have come across as “cheesy” under tight financial limits.
Theme: The song, a dark ballad, reflects on the theme of being “betrayed by love.” Sweet drew a parallel to the betrayal Jesus experienced and noted that many people can relate to this feeling.
Gratitude: Sweet ended his message by expressing gratitude for their fans and hoped they would enjoy the video. He acknowledged the hard work that goes into creating their music, thanking listeners for their continued support.
The album When We Were Kings features 11 tracks, including “Betrayed By Love,” and showcases Stryper’s signature blend of powerful rock and meaningful lyrics.
