Stryper Albums (8)
What The Critics Say
Veteran Christian metal outfit Stryper celebrated their 25th anniversary with Murder by Pride, an amiable 12-track collection of upbeat pop-metal on par with the group's early-'80s offerings like Soldiers Under Command and To Hell with the Devil. Vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet's pipes have lost little in their transition from upstart faith-based twenty-something to seasoned hard-rocking worship leader, and his lyrics (though occasionally leaning hard on the cheese factor) are never overtly preachy, something that has always made Stryper one of the more accessible and legitimately fun acts in the notoriously sterile CCM genre. Murder by Pride stays true to the '80s hair metal template of ten rockers and two ballads, boasting at least three instant fan favorites in "4 Leaf Clover," "Eclipse for the Son," and the rousing title cut, as well as a choice cover of the Boston classic "Peace of Mind" featuring guitar work from Tom Scholz himself. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Much has changed since the yellow and black attacked TV screens via Dial-MTV during hair metal's golden era. Grunge, punk-pop, electronica, rap-metal, and countless other styles have had their seasons in the sun, and a new Stryper video on TRL would be as laughable as another Ross Perot run for president. Bound and determined to shatter the notion that they were merely another hair metal band whose members decided to dress like bees and use "the Lord" merely as a marketing gimmick (and a reason to pelt their audience with Bibles), Stryper reassembled in 2003 for a brief tour, no doubt inspired by the slew of hip young bands with Christian messages, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. This gave bandleader Michael Sweet the confidence to round up the rest of the Strypers (minus original bassist Tim Gaines) and return to the studio. Reborn isn't so much a return to form as it is an introduction to Stryper for a generation whose members may have been too young to experience the band the first time around. The disc features 11 songs, and the group had the good sense not to bloat Reborn with unnecessary filler. Sweet's voice hasn't suffered one bit in the years out of the spotlight -- he doesn't go for the high notes the way he used to, but such theatrics would only further reinforce the notion that they're a novelty act reuniting for a quick influx of cash. This is hardly the case here, but the messages that were once subtle (or at least subtle enough to top the charts of MTV back in the day) are now full-on and unapologetic in their spiritual message. Unfortunately, drummer Robert Sweet has put away the heavy metal licks and replaced them with alternative ones, and the monotony of his tricks can grow irksome at time, but the group's songwriting abilities and sense of arrangement rescue the songs from growing tired (besides, who listens to Stryper for the drums?). This is the sound of a heavy metal band refreshed without pandering too hard to modern music trends. You can't expect Stryper to turn back the clock and rock for Jesus the way they once did, and much to their credit, they don't try to. But as a guilty pleasure and for old time's sake, it wouldn't have hurt to include one of those piano power ballads they were so good at in their heyday. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
When Christian metallists Stryper packed it up in 1991, it appeared as though their audience had quickly vanished, as most rock fans shifted their attention to such other burgeoning styles as grunge and thrash. But during the group's absence over the ensuing decade, a large cult following developed, resulting in the chaps deciding to give it another shot by the early 21st century. In 2003 came their first extensive U.S. tour in ages, resulting in the arrival of their first-ever live set, 7 Weeks: Live in America 2003. Although Stryper's look may have changed (gone is all the hairspray, makeup, and hilarious yellow-and-black leather outfits), their anthems still retain their bombastic flair, especially evident in Michael Sweet's Dennis DeYoung-esque vocals. Most of the expected Stryper favorites are included here, including the rockers "Soldiers Under Command" and "Free," the power ballad "Honestly," and a track that falls somewhere in between, "Calling On You." A pretty darn solid set, although one fumble is spotted toward the end -- a metalized version of "Winter Wonderland" (somewhere, David St. Hubbins and Nigel Tufnel are green with envy). ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A definite improvement over In God We Trust, the grittier Against the Law is not only a more consistently rockin' album, it's also much more focused and inspired. The CD's standout track is an imaginative cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's "Shining Star," which works surprisingly well in a metal/hard rock setting. But originals like "Rock the People," "Caught In the Middle," and "Ordinary Man" aren't anything to be ashamed of, either. Because many of the songs don't have overtly Christian lyrics, there was some speculation that Stryper, like Amy Grant, was going secular. But Stryper's members insisted that they were still very much a Christian band. And it's hard to imagine Mötley Crüe, Ratt, or Warrant recording a song like "Not That Kind of Guy," which finds Michael Sweet turning down the chance to have casual sex with an attractive woman because he doesn't consider it the moral thing to do. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Unquestionably Stryper's strongest and most rockin' album, To Hell with the Devil was a tough act to follow. Instead of following it up with something equally intense, the band stressed its pop side on In God We Trust. Though not quite as big a seller as To Hell with the Devil, the album quickly went gold and fell short of platinum. In God isn't a terrible album by any means, and it does have its moments (most notably, "Come to the Everlife" and "The Writing's on the Wall"), but some of the other material isn't very memorable. Quite often, Stryper sounds like just another MTV-friendly arena rock band. More devoted Stryper aficionados are the main listeners who should acquire this album. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'To Hell with the Devil'
Release Date 1/1/1986
Tracks 11
Label Enigma
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
When the majority of Christian artists were going unheard in the secular market, Stryper became even more visible among non-Christian audiences with its third album, To Hell with the Devil. This was the first time a Stryper album went platinum -- something the headbangers' presence on MTV no doubt played a role in. And the fact that this album boasted Stryper's strongest writing up to that point didn't hurt. The southern Californians sound especially confident and inspired on "The Way," "Sing-Along Song," "More Than a Man" and the infectious title song. But as invigorating as the up-tempo numbers are, Stryper's ballads didn't improve a bit; "All of Me" and the hit "Honestly" are as annoying as ever. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Soldiers Under Command'
Release Date 1/1/1985
Tracks 10
Label Enigma
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
While The Yellow and Black Attack! earned Stryper a fair amount of publicity, it was Soldiers Under Command that put the band on the map commercially. The album went gold, and Stryper became a major hit on MTV without abandoning its Christian message. Glossy yet intense pop-metal like "The Rock That Makes Me Roll" and "Surrender" definitely promotes Christianity, but does so without condemning non-Christians or pointing the finger at other religions. Ironically, one of lead singer Michael Sweet's influences is Rob Halford of Judas Priest -- although Stryper and the Priest have little in common lyrically. Like The Yellow and Black Attack!, Soldiers Under Command is decent when it comes to up-tempo songs, but weak when it comes to ballads. "First Love" and "Together as One" demonstrate that all too often, Stryper's ballads were much too sugary for their own good. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'The Yellow and Black Attack!'
Release Date 1/1/1984
Tracks 8
Label Enigma
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
When church leaders were accusing heavy metal of encouraging Satanism, Stryper set out to prove that metal and hard rock could be used to promote Christianity. The southern California band was viewed with suspicion by both ministers (who refused to believe that Christianity and metal were compatible) and fellow headbangers -- and yet, Stryper managed to sell millions of albums to both Christian and secular audiences. Stryper's first release, The Yellow and Black Attack!, showed the rockers to be along the lines of Def Leppard and Quiet Riot musically, but not lyrically. On such likable cuts as "You Know What to Do," "Co'Mon Rock," and "Loud 'n' Clear," Stryper managed to promote a religious message without being preachy. While the uptempo songs are decent, the ballads are hard to take. In fact, "You Won't Be Lonely" and "My Love I'll Always Show" are about as unbearably syrupy as it gets. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
