Stryken is a Metal band from Austin, Texas that formed in Arizona back in the late 1970's by founding members Dale Streiker and Stephen Streiker. The band has an eclectic sound along with 2 lead vocalist which brings to mind a number of different artist while listening to their material including Kiss, Queen, Desyre, Cheap Trick, The Cars, Electrik, and even The Beatles. The group originally went by the moniker Stryker which was a spin on the last name of brothers Dale & Stephen Streiker. In 1980 Dale & Stephen entered the studio and recorded a single titled “45 RPM single”. Just one year later, the two brothers recorded their 1981 four song EP/Demo. The track-list for the demo included 1.Right Of Way 2.Playing On The Radio 3.I Need Your Love 4.A Man.
After recording their single & 4-track demo, both Dale & Stephen began searching for a drummer. It wasn't long before they discovered percussionist-Joey Knight who promptly came on board as the band's timekeeper. In late 1982, the group decided to all move to Austin, Texas where they soon discovered bassist-Ezekiel Vade. Ezekiel promptly joined the band completing Stryker's roster. On stage, the band went by aliases or stage names which was quite common back in the 80's. The band's line-up was comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist-Dale Streiker, lead vocalist/guitarist-Stephen Streiker, bassist-Ezekiel Vade(Real Name-Jeremy Nunes), and drummer-Joey Knight(Real Name-Joey Puente).
After recording their single & 4-track demo, both Dale & Stephen began searching for a drummer. It wasn't long before they discovered percussionist-Joey Knight who promptly came on board as the band's timekeeper. In late 1982, the group decided to all move to Austin, Texas where they soon discovered bassist-Ezekiel Vade. Ezekiel promptly joined the band completing Stryker's roster. On stage, the band went by aliases or stage names which was quite common back in the 80's. The band's line-up was comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist-Dale Streiker, lead vocalist/guitarist-Stephen Streiker, bassist-Ezekiel Vade(Real Name-Jeremy Nunes), and drummer-Joey Knight(Real Name-Joey Puente).
Now with Ezekiel Vade on board, Stryker set their sights on recording new material and darkened the studio doors for the first time as a complete band.
1983
In 1983 Stryker released their debut full-length cassette-only album titled 'Blitzkrieg' on Polygraph Records. The album was produced in house by members of Stryker and sold very well in the Southwest. The track-list for 'Blitzkrieg' includes A1.Prelude A2.Look Away A3.I'm Allright A4.I Need Your Love A5.Surprise B1.Circus Man B2.Rights Of Way B3.Cross The Line B4.Played B5.It's Over.
After Stryker released 'Blitzkrieg', there arose no little controversy over the band's moniker. Stryker was ridiculed a lot by people saying that they were riding on the coattails of the band Stryper. Obviously, this caused plenty of unnecessary tension within the band. In order to keep the peace, Stryker changed their moniker to Stryken out of the goodness of their hearts. Really, there should not have been any controversy because the band had already trademarked their name Stryker back in the late 1970's just after their conception. The boys from California formed in 1982 and didn't choose their name Stryper until 1983.
Not only was the band given grief over their name being similar to Stryper's but also, Stryker was criticized for the lightning bolts in their logo being satanic. Stryker wanted to set the record straight and stated that the idea for the lightning bolts in their logo was taken from biblical text found in Matthew 24:27 "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."
Not only was the band given grief over their name being similar to Stryper's but also, Stryker was criticized for the lightning bolts in their logo being satanic. Stryker wanted to set the record straight and stated that the idea for the lightning bolts in their logo was taken from biblical text found in Matthew 24:27 "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."
1986
In 1986 Stryken released their 2-track EP titled 'Rock On/Surprise' on both a (12" single record) & (cassette) formats on Chrystal Records. The record was produced by Stryken along with Denis Davis and included the tracks Side One: 1.Rock On 2.Surprise Side Two: 3.Surprise(remix) 4.Rock On(remix). With the release of 'Rock On/Surprise', Stryken had already formed their own record label called Chrystal Records. However, Chrystal Records would prove to be way too close to the famous food chain - "Krystal Burgers" so I believe another name change is now needed. Hahaha...
After changing their name to Stryken, the band went through a complete makeover with their image where each member donned body armor which was symbolic of the Armor of God as seen in Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
After changing their name to Stryken, the band went through a complete makeover with their image where each member donned body armor which was symbolic of the Armor of God as seen in Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
Concerning the famous incident at the Mötley Crüe concert, the band sets the record straight: "At the time, Stephen was angry that Mötley Crüe was coming into their hometown in Austin, Texas. While he was upset, he said that they needed to make a statement. The Mötley Crüe concert was being held at a venue in San Antonio so the 4 members of Stryken all decked out in their usual stage outfits. When they arrived at the venue, they carried a big wooden cross into the building where the concert was already underway. Even though there were 6 to 8 police officers repeatedly saying you need to stop, the band was undeterred and bravely continued on with their mission. They then raised the cross up and leaned it against one of the inner doorways leading to the event where Mötley Crüe was performing. The officers then asked them if they were going to remove the cross and they replied that they couldn't so the officers spun each of them around, cuffed them, and then detained them. Later that same night, the members of Stryken were released without charges. However, during the incident, the band saw a group of kids tare up their concert tickets and go back home.
1987
In 1987 Stryken released their debut full-length album titled 'First Strike' on Chrystal Records. First Strike was released on both red transparent vinyl & cassette formats. According to Stryken, this album encapsulates what the band has coined as “Thunder Rock” which is a slower, powerful, driving beat, highlighting on both guitars and drums. This release has that killer early 80's retro-Metal sound with the band playing a slurry mix of Kiss, Queen, Cheap Trick, and Electrik sounding arrangements. Metal fans of Classic Metal music are going to find plenty to like about this '87 offering.
The track-list for 'First Strike' included 1.Crush the Head of Satan 2.One Way 3.The Answer 4.State of Emergency 5.First Strike 6.Rock on 7.The Young Men Have a Vision 8.Riot.
“Crush the Head of Satan”
He roars like a lion
Seeking whom he may devour
Oh yeah!
But think for a minute
Who gave him the power
Oh yeah!
I know, you know, it’s time we all choose
Jesus – satan, you win or loose
Crush the head of satan! Under our feet
Crush the head of satan! Lord God of peace
Crush the head of satan! Don’t let him breath
"The Answer"
They laughed at Him,
A crown of thorns on His head
Beat His face with their fists,
Stripped His clothes and spit
Made Him carry the tree
And they laughed in glee
Drove the spikes
through His hands and feet
Crucified my King, the King
“State Of Emergency”
Your heart it feels no more
So you’re stabbing at your own back
Never saying what you’ve sown
State of emergency!
Christ! Will heal all that you feel
And I know you will live forever MORE! WHOA…!
“The Young Men Have a Vision”
Soldiers pledge allegiance
Allegiance to the cross
The One who lives for all
He’s living for ever more!
Everyone’s a soldier
Fighting for his life
Everyone’s a sinner
Born after Adam’s kind
He roars like a lion
Seeking whom he may devour
Oh yeah!
But think for a minute
Who gave him the power
Oh yeah!
I know, you know, it’s time we all choose
Jesus – satan, you win or loose
Crush the head of satan! Under our feet
Crush the head of satan! Lord God of peace
Crush the head of satan! Don’t let him breath
"The Answer"
They laughed at Him,
A crown of thorns on His head
Beat His face with their fists,
Stripped His clothes and spit
Made Him carry the tree
And they laughed in glee
Drove the spikes
through His hands and feet
Crucified my King, the King
“State Of Emergency”
Your heart it feels no more
So you’re stabbing at your own back
Never saying what you’ve sown
State of emergency!
Christ! Will heal all that you feel
And I know you will live forever MORE! WHOA…!
“The Young Men Have a Vision”
Soldiers pledge allegiance
Allegiance to the cross
The One who lives for all
He’s living for ever more!
Everyone’s a soldier
Fighting for his life
Everyone’s a sinner
Born after Adam’s kind
Stryken's guitar department was managed by brothers Dale & Stephen Streiker.
Their guitar arrangements follow in the classic 80's Metal styles of play.
Their guitar arrangements follow in the classic 80's Metal styles of play.
1987
In 1987 Stryken's song "Rock On" was included on a various artist album titled 'Righteous Metal' on Arrival Records. The album included some well know artist like Bloodgood, Barren Cross, Saint, Rez, and Petra just to mention a few.
The track-list for 'Righteous Metal' included 1.Crucify(BLOODGOOD) 2.Rock for the King(BARREN CROSS) 3.Rock On(STRYKEN) 4.Master of the Metal(MESSIAH PROPHET) 5.Time's End(SAINT) 6.In His Majesty's Service(JERUSALEM) 7.Wear Your Colors (RICK CUA) 8.Love Comes Down(REZ) 9.Shakin' the House(PETRA) 10.You Are Loved(ALTAR BOYS) 11.Rise Up (DANIEL BAND) 12.Search & Destroy(PHILADELPHIA).
2009
In 2009, in conjunction with both Girder & Retroactive Records, Stryken reissued their earlier records on one compilation album titled 'First Strike'. This 2009 reissue is the first time that the band's albums were ever put on CD format offering a new opportunity for fans of Stryken's classic material.
The track-list for this 'First Strike' compilation album includes 1.Crush the Head of Satan (First Strike-1987) 2.One Way (First Strike-1987) 3.The Answer (First Strike-1987) 4.State of Emergency (First Strike-1987) 5.First Strike (First Strike-1987) 6.Rock On (First Strike-1987) 7.The Young Men Have a Vision (First Strike-1987) 8.Riot (First Strike-1987) 9.Surprise (Rock On/Surprise-1986) 10.Blitzkrieg (Blitzkrieg-1983) 11.Look Away (Blitzkrieg-1983) 12.I'm Alright (Blitzkrieg-1983) 13.Need Your Love (Blitzkrieg-1983) 14.Circus Man (Blitzkrieg-1983) 15.Right of Way (Blitzkrieg-1983) 16.Cross the Line (Blitzkrieg-1983) 17.Played (Blitzkrieg-1983) 18.It's Over (Blitzkrieg-1983).
2022
In 2022 Stryken reissued their original works on a 3-CD special collector's edition titled 'ONCE LOST...NOW FOUND' on Retroactive Records. The songs have been remastered for vinyl by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound. This compilation release features Stryken's (1980)“45 RPM single”, (1981)'four song EP/Demo', (1983)'Blitzkrieg' album, (1987)'First Strike'(+ bonus), 7 new songs(remixed + 1st time available), exceptional write-up by Doug Van Pelt of Heaven's Metal Magazine, and 12x12 full color insert with lyrics and band pics. To be released in November/early December of 2022.
Stryken is for fans of Kiss, Queen, Cheap Trick, and Electrik. Over the years both Stryker & Stryken have helped pave the way for other Metal bands of more recent times. If you are looking for some Classic Christian Metal to add to your collection, then look no further than what the band has offered up over the past 4 decades. Help support the band and Christian Metal music by picking up your copy of their works today!
Purchases can be made at the following links:
Musicians:
Dale Streiker - Lead Vocals, Guitars
Stephen Streiker - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Ezekiel Vade - Bass, Backing Vocals
Joey Knight - Drums, Backing Vocals
Dale Streiker - Lead Vocals, Guitars
Stephen Streiker - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Ezekiel Vade - Bass, Backing Vocals
Joey Knight - Drums, Backing Vocals
