CREED's SCOTT STAPP To STRYPER's MICHAEL SWEET: 'Without You, I Would Not Have Followed The Path God Had For Me'

CREED's Scott Stapp has credited STRYPER's Michael Sweet with "inspiring" and "influencing" him "on so many levels".

Stapp made his comments in response to an Instagram post from Sweet in which the STRYPER guitarist/vocalist praised CREED for "bringing back heavy guitars mixed with inspiring lyrics" during the latter band's heyday in the early 2000s.

On Sunday (March 27),Sweet took to the social media platform to share a photo of Stapp and he wrote: "I'm very proud of @scottstapp - not just for what he's accomplished but more importantly, who he's become through those accomplishments.

"When music was changing so dramatically & drastically in the 90's, it was difficult sometimes for me to relate to many bands from that era. @officialcreedpage came along and changed that for me personally. They brought back (IMO) heavy guitars mixed with great melodies and most importantly, inspiring lyrics that changed lives and hearts. There was real value there. That's what matters. Substance. I was always a fan and will always be.

"I'm proud to see Scott doing so well and still releasing powerful and meaningful music.

"God bless you Scott and all that you do".

In response to Sweet's comments, Stapp took to his Twitter this morning to write: "Brother…this means so much to me. You have inspired and influenced me on so many levels you have no idea. Thank you for your “powerful and meaningful” music that helped shape me, encourage me, comfort me, and inspire me.

"Without you and @stryper I can honestly say I would not have followed the path God had for me. You were HIS voice to my heart. You are a LEGEND and I am humbled that you even know who I am. God bless you and your family my friend.

"I am in such awe that someone I admired and STILL admire so much, whose words and voice impacted my heart so deeply, shared this about me and the music I have been blessed to be apart of creating. Thank you & love you brother".

Several years ago, Stapp said that his faith-based lyrics led many to believe CREED was a Christian band. CREED wasn't and Scott's bandmates resented it, eventually contributing to the group's initial breakup.

Even though STRYPER's third album, 1986's "To Hell With The Devil", made Sweet and his bandmates the first contemporary Christian act to score a platinum album, the group has often felt unwelcome in Christian circles, with some members of the church feeling that Christianity and heavy metal are incompatible.

In a 2018 interview with the Detroit Free Press, Michael said that STRYPER was never fully embraced by the heavy metal and hard rock communities, largely because of the band's Christian lyrics.

"We've never been accepted by either side," he said. "The secular side, the mainstream, they've never accepted us to this day. We're probably that band that everyone's going to go to whenever there's a time to mock. We'll be the band used for that in most cases. Now on the Christian side, we've never really had the full support of the Christian side because we don't fit into their little club. We're not wearing suits and ties and going to every church and preaching."

Formed 39 years ago, STRYPER's name comes from Isaiah 53:5, which states: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

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