Stryper
Stryper is a Glam Metal band that formed back in 1982 by brothers Robert and Michael Sweet. Hailing from Orange County, California, the two brothers originally went by the moniker 'Roxx Regime'. In just one year the band began to grow as Oz Fox joined the band in 1983 giving the band a second guitarist. soon thereafter, Robert contacted Tim Gaines who was previously with the band 'Stormer' and invited him to come on board to complete this power-house band. At this time, the band decided that it was necessary to change the band's name and they decided on the name 'Stryper' . The band takes the idea for their name 'Stryper' from Isaiah 53:5 where it states: "...and by His stripes we are healed."
Stryper helped pave the way for many other christian Metal bands to come onto the scene and fight the good fight showing that christian music could compete with secular artist and even be better than what the world has to offer. In 1984, Stryper released a 6 track EP on Enigma Records titled "The Yellow and Black Attack" which helped launch the band into stardom. With the success the band was receiving from fans, manager Daryn Hinton offered Stryper a loan of 100,000 to reproduce the album. The reproduced album sounded much better than the original EP and was made full-length by adding two additional tunes "My Love I'll Always Show" , "Reason For the Season". This newly packaged album was released in 1986 and initially sold 150,000 units in just 3 weeks.
Stryper helped pave the way for many other christian Metal bands to come onto the scene and fight the good fight showing that christian music could compete with secular artist and even be better than what the world has to offer. In 1984, Stryper released a 6 track EP on Enigma Records titled "The Yellow and Black Attack" which helped launch the band into stardom. With the success the band was receiving from fans, manager Daryn Hinton offered Stryper a loan of 100,000 to reproduce the album. The reproduced album sounded much better than the original EP and was made full-length by adding two additional tunes "My Love I'll Always Show" , "Reason For the Season". This newly packaged album was released in 1986 and initially sold 150,000 units in just 3 weeks.
In 1985, Stryper released their killer follow-up sophomore album 'Soldiers Under Command'. Where we find the band poised to take on the world with their Metal offerings. Michael Sweet shows that he can sing with the best of them all the while offering up plenty of hooks that helped push the band over the top. Oz Fox shows his prowess with his ability to shred and even touched on some Power Metal on a few tracks.
The production for this 1985 release was superb for that time and still sounds great today. Without doubt, this was one of the most energetic and defining albums that the band ever recorded.
The production for this 1985 release was superb for that time and still sounds great today. Without doubt, this was one of the most energetic and defining albums that the band ever recorded.
In 1986, Stryper released 'To Hell with the Devil' which was the first christian Metal album to go platinum selling over one million copies. 'To Hell with the Devil' gave the band great success due to the killer arrangements along with stellar guitar play from Michael Sweet & Oz Fox. Their success was also due to the publicity they received by the production of videos of the tunes "Free" and "Honestly" which both received play time on MTV and FM radio. "Honestly" received a lot of attention where it peaked at #23 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart. The production on 'To Hell with the Devil' was better than ever and we find that the band members have all reached full growth in their musical abilities and delivered an unforgettable Metal release.
In 1988, Stryper released their fourth album "In God We Trust" which was produced to be more of an AOR Radio friendly album for commercial appeal. Some fans loved the album while others just couldn't embrace the new AOR sound. Even though the reception of the fans was divided, the album achieved Gold Record status selling over half a million records. Two of the released singles "Always There For You" and "I Believe In You" both hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart where they peaked at No.71 & No. 88. When Stryper released their video "Always There for You," it quickly garnered attention as it was played on MTV giving the band even more exposure. Stryper holds the honor of being the first christian band to be on MTV. In addition, this fourth release went on to receive two GMA Dove Awards for "Hard Music Album" & "Hard Rock Song" for the tune "In God We Trust".
In 1990 Stryper released their album 'Against The Law' where we find the band rockn' on full throttle doing what they do best. The album includes the sick power ballad 'Lady' which also ended up on their 1991 compilation album 'Can't Stop The Rock'. However, the band moved away from the christian lyrics that were so strong in their previous albums.
In 2005, Stryper released their album 'Reborn' where we find that the band has moved away from their Glam Metal sound. The band's sound has been reborn so to speak in that this album features more of a modern Nu Metal sound complete with a slightly lower register from Michael Sweet and lower tuned guitar work giving this album a heavier and different fill to it than other albums. The album also features a reworked version of the tune "In God We Trust" simply called "I.G.W.T."
In 2009 Stryper released 'Murder by Pride' and with this release, the band's signature sound is restored with Michael Sweet sounding like he did on previous early works. where we find hard driving guitar work along with some grunge era guitar play mixed with general noodling but as always, the guitar shredding is top notch. The album also includes a killer power ballad 'Alive' which helps to round out this project.
In 1988, Stryper released their fourth album "In God We Trust" which was produced to be more of an AOR Radio friendly album for commercial appeal. Some fans loved the album while others just couldn't embrace the new AOR sound. Even though the reception of the fans was divided, the album achieved Gold Record status selling over half a million records. Two of the released singles "Always There For You" and "I Believe In You" both hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart where they peaked at No.71 & No. 88. When Stryper released their video "Always There for You," it quickly garnered attention as it was played on MTV giving the band even more exposure. Stryper holds the honor of being the first christian band to be on MTV. In addition, this fourth release went on to receive two GMA Dove Awards for "Hard Music Album" & "Hard Rock Song" for the tune "In God We Trust".
In 1990 Stryper released their album 'Against The Law' where we find the band rockn' on full throttle doing what they do best. The album includes the sick power ballad 'Lady' which also ended up on their 1991 compilation album 'Can't Stop The Rock'. However, the band moved away from the christian lyrics that were so strong in their previous albums.
In 2005, Stryper released their album 'Reborn' where we find that the band has moved away from their Glam Metal sound. The band's sound has been reborn so to speak in that this album features more of a modern Nu Metal sound complete with a slightly lower register from Michael Sweet and lower tuned guitar work giving this album a heavier and different fill to it than other albums. The album also features a reworked version of the tune "In God We Trust" simply called "I.G.W.T."
In 2009 Stryper released 'Murder by Pride' and with this release, the band's signature sound is restored with Michael Sweet sounding like he did on previous early works. where we find hard driving guitar work along with some grunge era guitar play mixed with general noodling but as always, the guitar shredding is top notch. The album also includes a killer power ballad 'Alive' which helps to round out this project.
In 2013 Stryper released their album "No More Hell to Pay" on Frontiers Records. Michael Sweet shows that he still has a strong Vocal delivery showing great control where we find him still capable of hitting very high notes with ease. If there is any doubt about Sweet's abilities then one only has to listen to the song "No More Hell To Pay" and you will see that he has one of the best Vocalist in the industry.
The guitar work by Oz Fox and Michael Sweet is extraordinary with it being very melodic and accessible that it's very easy to want to grab your air guitar and rock out. The guitar work goes from driving to 80's - 90's noodling to Modern day noodling covering a whole gamut of eras.
On this 2013 release we find that Stryper has returned to their bible inspired lyrics which are openly Christ centered.
Fans of Modern day Metal mixed with touches of the past will find this album a Metal feast.
The guitar work by Oz Fox and Michael Sweet is extraordinary with it being very melodic and accessible that it's very easy to want to grab your air guitar and rock out. The guitar work goes from driving to 80's - 90's noodling to Modern day noodling covering a whole gamut of eras.
On this 2013 release we find that Stryper has returned to their bible inspired lyrics which are openly Christ centered.
Fans of Modern day Metal mixed with touches of the past will find this album a Metal feast.
Musicians:
Michael Sweet-Lead Vocals/Guitars
Oz Fox-Guitars
Tim Gaines-Bass
Robert Sweet-Drums
Michael Sweet-Lead Vocals/Guitars
Oz Fox-Guitars
Tim Gaines-Bass
Robert Sweet-Drums
Discography(Not Complete):
1984 they released "The Yellow and Black Attack"-EP
1985 they released "Soldiers Under Command" (Has some Power Metal tunes)
1986 they re-released "The Yellow and Black Attack"-Full-Length
1986 they released "To Hell With The Devil"
1988 they released "In God We Trust"
1990 they released "Against The Law"
2005 they released "Reborn"
2009 they released "Murder by Pride"
2011 they released "The Covering"
2013 they released "No More Hell to Pay"
2014 they released "Live at the Whiskey"
2015 they released "Fallen"
1984 they released "The Yellow and Black Attack"-EP
1985 they released "Soldiers Under Command" (Has some Power Metal tunes)
1986 they re-released "The Yellow and Black Attack"-Full-Length
1986 they released "To Hell With The Devil"
1988 they released "In God We Trust"
1990 they released "Against The Law"
2005 they released "Reborn"
2009 they released "Murder by Pride"
2011 they released "The Covering"
2013 they released "No More Hell to Pay"
2014 they released "Live at the Whiskey"
2015 they released "Fallen"