There are three songs here that are somewhat controversial. 'Blackout' (Scorpions) contains the line: "What the hell have I lost my taste?" 'On Fire' (Van Halen) includes the following lyric: "Good God y'all I'm on fire." 'Highway Star' (Deep Purple) is about love for one's car and/or girl, and could make some Christians squirm with these words: "I love her/I need her/I seed her/Yeah she turns me on/Alright hold on tight/I'm a highway star."
At least three of the tracks present life as a journey. 'Heaven and Hell' (Black Sabbath) is over six minutes and is a realistic, somewhat pessimistic look at life: "They say that life's a carousel/Spinning fast, you've got to ride it well/The world is full of kings and queens/Who blind your eyes and steal your dreams/It's heaven and hell, oh well." 'Carry on Wayward Son' (Kansas) is more optimistic: "Carry on my wayward son/For there'll be peace when you are done/Lay your weary head to rest/Now don't you cry no more." 'Immigrant Song' (Led Zeppelin) is about a journey to a new land.
Tracks nine and ten are story songs. 'The Trooper' (Iron Maiden) is about a fallen soldier: "My body's numb and my throat is dry/And as I lay forgotten and alone/Without a tear I draw my parting groan." 'Breaking the Law' (Judas Priest) is about one who is down and out and desperate: "I've had every promise broken, there's anger in my heart/You don't know what it's like, you don't have a clue/If you did you'd find yourselves doing the same thing too/Breaking the law." In contrast, 'Shout it out Loud' (Kiss) is a party anthem: "Call all your friends in the neighbourhood/And get the party started (get the party started)."
The album closes with a STRYPER original, 'God', which paints a picture of how hopeless life is without God. The chorus goes: "God have mercy on us/For we know not what we do/God, dark and blinded/We are burning/Without You God." I'm giving THE COVERING a 75% rating. Those who enjoy STRYPER'S hard rocking sounds and Michael Sweet's signature screams won't be disappointed with this one!