Stryper started out in Orange County, California in the early 80's. First as Roxx, then as Roxx Regime. After they landed a record deal with Enigma Records, they decided to change their name and continue as a Christian metal band. So in 1983 Stryper were born. The name is from the Bible verse Isaiah 53:5: -by his stripes we're healed-. But it is also an acronym for Salvation Through Redemption Yielding Peace Encouragement Righteousness. They became the most successful white metal band, ever! After breaking up in 1993, they reunited in 2003.

SOLDIERS UNDER COMMAND (1985) HOLLYWOOD

All my early metal discoveries can be credited to my 2 older brothers. And one day they put on a recorded tape for me, and asked what I thought. I loved what I heard. Then they told me that this was a Christian heavy metal band, and I was floored. I couldn't believe it! Finally I had a band that played MY music, and shared my beliefs as well. I thank God to this day for the blessing this band, and especially this album, have been to my life (and thousands of others as well). The music is totally awesome, and back in the mid-80's Stryper shared sound (and stage) with many of the other top secular acts, such as Ratt, Mötley Crüe, TNT and Loudness, to name a few. But Stryper became my absolute favorites. There is not a bad song on this album. And the title track is one of the finest heavy metal songs ever written. Of course you get a ballad or two, but when done as great as these guys did it, those songs only added to the already tasty flavor. 

Killer tracks: I truly love all of them dearly.

THE YELLOW AND BLACK ATTACK (1984, 1986) HOLLYWOOD

This is Stryper's 1st and 3rd album in one. Actually they remixed and re-released their first EP from 1984, and added 2 new tracks on it. I used to own both versions on vinyl. But to score the CD version of the original album is almost impossible due to 2 things; 1. It was originally only released in Japan, 2. It sells constantly for somewhere between 50-200$ on eBay!! So I'm happy to have this one too. It's a fine album, offering, amongst others, tracks originally written when they were called Roxx Regime, now given a lyrical remake. The music is raw and emotional L.A. metal.

Killer tracks: They are all special to me

TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL (1986, 2000) MSP

Stryper gained more and more popularity in the metal scene. But not all the Christians took to them quite as easily. So when this album got released, the Christian retailers would not carry it, due to the cover-art! So Enigma released a second version, with a black front cover with the Stryper logo on. Unfortunately this censored cover was the one they also initially used when the album made it to CD. When Michael Sweet heard about the ridiculous amounts of money the original version sold for, on ebay and such, he re-released a limited edition, with the original artwork, and threw in a b-side song as a bonus. And that's the version I bought, after wearing out the old vinyl. It's quite impressive that the band has not released one bad song in their entire career, so far. I adore every minute of his album as well. Back when it was new I didn't notice that they had become a tad bit more soft. To me it was still killer music! And who could argue with such songs as "To Hell With The Devil", "Free" and "The Way"? No band could ever touch these guys, as far as I was concerned!

Killer tracks: Again, all of them!

Rock trivia: Tim Gaines actually left the band for a short spell right before 'To Hell With The Devil' was released. I'm not even sure he plays on it, come to think of it. So Matt Hurich (Leatherwolf) became his replacement. The band even got as far as shooting promotional photos with Matt. When Tim later rejoined, they had to redo these photos. Tim then had to use the clothes Matt had used on his photos, even thought they were to short on him! Here are some photos taken in that period.

IN GOD WE TRUST (1988) ENIGMA

Stryper's pop-metal effort supreme! Even I started to hear the obvious attempts at MTV-hits on this album. And I believe "Always There For You" even became one. But although the yellow and black attack was a bit mellowed down, I still say Stryper was the best band in their genre. Michael's sweet voice (no pun intended) fits this kind of ballad metal just fine. And when they manage to disguise most of the softer stuff between solid rockers as the title track and "The Writings On The Wall", then who could resist this? I swallowed it for sure, hook, line and sinker!

Killer tracks: In God We Trust, Keep The Fire Burning, The Writings On The Wall, Lonely, The Reign

ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU (1988) ENIGMA (3" CD-single)

I used to own the 12" vinyl version of this single. The reason for owning it is of course the live version of "Solders Under Command", as well as the interview part with Robert Sweet. I got this item off of eBay, and also bid on another 3" CD-single, featuring the Part Two of the interview, but was sadly outbid last minute. Stryper collectibles are popular and expensive.

AGAINST THE LAW (1990) ENIGMA

When a band changes their logo, it usually indicates a change of style. And also often a change to a more commercial style. And that was exactly what I thought Stryper had done with 'Against The Law'. Gone are the yellow and black outfits, gone is the logo with the Bible verse, and gone is the pop-metal form their last effort. The new style is much rougher, and less glammy. The music is hard rock, and not metal. BUT, there is a difference between Stryper and most of the other bands that changed their style; Stryper pulled it off! 'Against The Law' is a great album, with many catchy songs. It's also a showcase for this bands talent, both as songwriters, and as musicians. I must be honest and say that I was very disappointed at first. But almost all of the songs have grown on me in time. So I like this album for what it is today. "Shining Star" is a cover of a classic Earth, Wind & Fire song.

Killer tracks: Rock The People, Ordinary Man, Lady, Caught In The Middle, All For One

Rock trivia: The band got yet another ton of flack when they released this album. Did they curse and swear in the lyrics? Have they abandoned their faith? Are they criminals now? The rumors would not end, and again it was the Christian movement who gave the band the hardest time. It's funny how the band, who really was out their winning souls for the Lord, got such a bad rap from people who were "on their side".

CAN'T STOP THE ROCK (1991) HOLLYWOOD

Believe Can't Stop The Rock Soldiers Under Command Free Always There For You Lady To Hell With The Devil In God We Trust Honestly Two Bodies (One Mind One Soul) Together As One You Know What To Do

A "best of" compilation. Or should I say "greatest hits"? Worth owning because of the 2 new tracks of course. "Believe" is the band trying to convince people that they have always been Christians, despite the rumors after 'Against The Law'. "Can't Stop The Rock" is the band trying to convince people that Stryper were not breaking up. But the fact is that only months after this release, Michael Sweet left to pursue a solo-career.

Rock trivia: Stryper continued to tour as a 3-piece, after the demise of Michael. They also did a tour of Europe, with Oz doin' the lead vocals. They even did one concert with Dale Thomson from Bride doin' the lead vocals. In 2001 the original band reunited, and besides a huge tour, this is the result so far:

SEVEN - BEST OF (2003) HOLLYWOOD

Something For You Shining Star Lady All For One In God We Trust Always There For You To Hell With The Devil Calling On You Free Honestly The Way Soldiers Under Command Makes Me Wanna Sing Reach Out From Wrong To Right Loving You Believe

Another compilation! Cool! NOT. Oh well, at least we get 2 new tracks! Eh, sounds more like 2 left-over Michael Sweet tracks to me..... OK, it is a bit better than the last compilation album. Hmmm, at least it has more tracks. Heck they even threw in one of the new songs from the last one! Here's to hoping for a new studio-album!

7 WEEKS: LIVE IN AMERICA 2003 (2004) FIFTY THREE FIVE/DEEP SOUTH

Finally the fans get what they've longed for, a Stryper live CD!! And I must say that this is one blistering performance. As always you could argue over the song selection (I mean, why "Winter Wonderland", but no "In God We Trust"?). But despite that, what we do get is a nostalgia-trip down memory lane (it is for me, anyway). And for those of us who had no chance to catch the band live on this tour, this is a true gift. The band sounds tight, and Michael's voice amazing. To me it sounds like he can still pull of those high notes just as well as he did back then. Another thing that strikes me, after repeated listens, is that the CD actually starts to sound better each time. Favorite tracks include "Calling On You", "The Way", "Soldiers Under Command" and "Honestly". Could have done without "Winter Wonderland" and "Caught In The Middle".

Stryper 2005 line-up.

REBORN (2005) BIG3/MTM/SPV

Probably one of the most awaited comeback albums for me, and I wasn't exactly eager to hear it! Is that even possible? Well, you see, Stryper holds that special place in my heart that only a handful of bands ever do. So as a huge fan of the band, I was thrilled that they were back touring again. And as a natural progression of this, I was hoping for a new album. Only problem was that the last 2 new tracks Stryper gave us were the ones on the 'Seven' compilation album, and none of them were actually all that great. In fact, they sounded more like something Michael Sweet would have recorded for one of his solo efforts. And when rumors started flouting on the net, and when the band themselves told us, that they were heading in a more modern direction, then I feared the worst. I actually thought that this would end up on the Biggest Disappointment place on my top 20 list this year, before I even heard a complete song off of this album. 'Reborn' is definitely a more modern version of the band, and I think most of this material also could have fit on any of Michael's solo albums. But, I also get a Stryper vibe while listening to this album. The harmony vocals are still intact, and so is Michael's excellent voice. And no one can take away the fact that he is still an excellent songwriter, delivering these melodic tunes we, the fans, can't get enough of. So despite the non-existent guitar-solos, the fact that they are no longer a band one can even remotely label metal, Stryper are still a band that do what they do very well. I also like the fact that they are still pretty bold lyrically!

"Rain" originally appeared on the independent version of Michael Sweet's "Truth" album. The re-recorded version of "In God We Trust", here entitled "I.G.W.T." was totally unnecessary though.

Sadly I got the MTM version of this album, with the most boring of the 3 cover arts available.

Killer tracks: Open your Eyes, Reborn, Passion, Rain

THE ROXX REGIME DEMOS (2007) FIFTY THREE FIVE

Before there was Stryper, there was Roxx Regime. That was the name they used when they signed to Enigma back in 1984. And that was the name on the demo tape that got the interest of the label boss way back when. For years fans have been searching for the rarest of the rare; the bands first demo. Finally we have them available in CD format. Back in 1983 Roxx Regime was a part of the growing LA glam scene. The bands were hungry, raw and very unpolished. In fact, this is very far from the overproduced stuff most bands like Ratt, Poison and Mötley Crüe got famous for. This is gritty and gravelling heavy metal, played with flash, and dare I say balls! Save for the drum solo, named "Tank", every song presented here got used on subsequent Stryper releases. But the versions on this CD are quite different from how they sounded on the albums. Especially "My Love I'll Always Show" got a huge overhaul when they recorded it again for 'The Yellow And Black Attack'. Here it is a rockin' tune, and not the ballad we all know it to be. If you've heard the first, original mix of Stryper's debut album, you have a good idea of what these demo songs sound like. "Honestly" is the only ballad here.

What took me by surprise was the lyrics. I was under the impression that Roxx Regime was a secular band, and that they changed their name, and the lyrics, after they got a record deal, thus making the original demos songs with non-Christian lyrics. Guess I was wrong. I also think they could have done a better job with the packaging. Only 1 small picture on the inside of the booklet is an actual Roxx Regime picture. The rest are all from the Stryper days. Still, it is cool to finally have these old songs. It's a real gem for us long time Stryper fans.

MURDER BY PRIDE (2009) BIG 3 RECORDS

25 years later, and Stryper is still at it! That's gotta count for something, be it talent, staying power or something else. Personally I think it's a mix of everything mentioned. Sure, I haven't been overtly thrilled by anything released with the Stryper name since 'Against The Law'. But I still count myself as a huge fan of the band, and look forward to learn what the band has in store for us next.

'Murder By Pride' is the bands 7th studio effort. As usual it was proceeded with rumors and controversy, mostly cased by the fact that Robert was not playing drums on the CD this time around. I never really found out what the reason behind this was. But it's not the first time a Stryper studio session is a different thing than the band on stage. So I chose to concentrate on the finished product instead. I was hoping for yet another quality product from my "heroes". But when the first sound clips were posted all over the net, I dared to hope for another classic album!

This time I am so thrilled to report that the band outdid themselves! 'Murder By Pride', whilst having a modern sheen both production wise, and musically, reeks of classic Stryper! It's a mix of everything this band has done up 'til now. But it leans more toward the 3 or 4 first records than anything else. "4 Leaf Clover" & "Mercy Over Blame" are total throwbacks to the 80's, whilst "I Believe" sounds more like something from 'Reborn'. Even though this is an up-tempo ballad (if such a thing exists), it is still much heavier than most of the songs from the mentioned album. I am totally in love with all of the songs from 'Murder By Pride', and find myself constantly changing favorites, and discovering new stuff.

The band is also shining as individual players. The guitar solos are back, and Tracy's bass is adding a touch that was missing from most other Stryper albums. I'm not saying that he is a better player than Tim was, but Tracy is vividly heard in the mix, and the clear production makes him shine. Another member who shines here is Michael. His voice is just as clear and strong as it was 25 years ago. This time he has composed a full-on Stryper album. The songs sounds like Stryper, and not Michael Sweet solo. Some might complain that there are too many ballads here. But show me a Stryper album without a ballad or two? The Boston cover, with Tom Schultz on guitar, fits perfectly with the other songs. And the new version of "My Love (I'll Always Show", inspired by the original Roxx Regime version, is also cool.

To me, this is the best album Stryper could have given me at this point in time. It's a bonafide classic in my ears, and I could not have been happier with it. Finally Stryper will once more throne high on one of my top 20 lists.

Killer tracks: All of them

Stryper also appear on:  

V/A - 'Heavy Metal Hits Of The '80s''

Michael Sweet guest appearances:

Mass - 'Voices In The Night' (as producer)

Liberty N' Justice - '4 All: The Best Of LNJ'

Tim Gaines guest appearances:

Liberty N' Justice - 'Soundtrack Of A Soul'

Liberty N' Justice - '4 All: The Best Of LNJ'

Oz Fox guest appearances:

Guardian - 'First Watch' (as producer)

Liberty N' Justice - 'Light It Up'

Related artists:

  Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, King James, Titanic, Whitecross, Bloodgood

Stryper pictures