Stryper

It's been a while since Stryper has been discussed. And I know, we've all done it before, but we need to talk about them once again. They are, arguably, the greatest Christian metal band ever.

Now then, favorite albums and songs?

I like all of their records, so don't read a lower ranking as meaning I think the album stinks. With that said, I'd rank the albums like this:

1. In God We Trust
2. Soldiers Under Command
3. The Yellow and Black Attack
4. To Hell With The Devil
5. Reborn
6. Against The Law

My favorite songs from the band would be these:

• Co'mon Rock - one of the most infectious riffs I've ever heard by any band...LOVE this song!
  
• Writings On The Wall - this may be my favorite Stryper song ever!
  
• Shining Star - that they could take an Earth Wind & Fire song and make it metal, and do it this well speaks volumes about their talents.
  
• The Way - another great, great riff with some smokin' lead guitar work too!
  
• I.G.W.T. - I love the original song, but this remake was a bit of an improvement.
  
• Makes Me Wanna Sing - another rifftastic song
  

As for the new album....the samples sound promising, if a bit on the lighter side. However, I'm sure I'm gonna like it. I've heard it comes out in July. I hope there are no more delays. Though I would certainly understand Michael not wishing to tour with Kyle's death and all. He's got kids still at home, and I wonder what arrangements he has to make for them now with Kyle no longer there to care for them while he's on the road. Even with no tour, though, I hope they just go ahead and release the album.

1. Soldiers Under Command
2. The Yellow and Black Attack
3. To Hell With The Devil
4. Against The Law
5. In God We Trust
6. Reborn

And I agree not a single one of those albums are bad (at all). I also agree that the tracks for the new album do sound very promising. I'm really looking forward to it.
I'm gonna have to think about favorite songs. I know "Soldiers" will definately make my list.

Honestly (no pun intended) it's hard to pick a "best" Stryper album for me. I have enjoyed every single one of them. They are just an awsome band with awsome songs and a servants heart. Nothing bad to say about them.

I to would not blame Stryper at all if they didn't tour for the new album. This was a tragic loss for Michael and his family and his family should be the priority right now. I don't expect any delays in the new album release date but if there is, I will wait,

ChosenOne, I completely agree with you.
I'm not good in picking "the best" albums.

To Hell With The Devil is my favorite Stryper album.
And the other albums depent on in what mood I am.

Styper would do an European tour.
The tour is postphoned and I've no idea if we ever are going to see Stryper live.

I think I like Y&B the best mostly for sentimental reasons... however, I like the Guardian release better.... I often wonder what the Sweets thought of Guardian's interp of their entire album ?
Is Stryper the only band that another band re-recorded their entire album with their own style ?

Guilty/Forgiven wrote:

I think I like Y&B the best mostly for sentimental reasons... however, I like the Guardian release better.... I often wonder what the Sweets thought of Guardian's interp of their entire album ?
Is Stryper the only band that another band re-recorded their entire album with their own style ?

I totally agree with you. That Guardian remake was better than the original, if that's possible. I love both versions, though. I just listened to Stryper's version last week.

I like everything they have done, even Reborn.

1. Against The Law
2. In God We Trust
3. Reborn
4. To Hell With The Devil
5. Soldiers Under Command
6. Yellow & Black Attack

Elsid I think we agree about "Against The Law" and "Reborn".
Most Stryper fans never liked "ATL" but I like that album.
The same for "Reborn".

1. To Hell With The Devil
2. In God We Trust
3. Soldiers Under Command
4. Against The Law
5. The Yellow and Black Attack
6. Reborn

But Reborn is great, so although it looks like I don't like it, I do! ALOT! Stryper seem to be able to keep putting out excellent albums.

I predict that Murder By Prise will go either above Reborn, or above The Yellow And Black Attack.

It's all good!

Fundy

Fundy wrote:

I predict that Murder By Pride will go either above Reborn.....

Just based on the sound samples I am expecting to like Murder by Pride better than Reborn too.

I'm glad to see others like In God We Trust a lot too. While that album only has maybe 2 of my all-time favorite songs, as a complete album, I think its my favorite. I do have to skip "Come To The Everlife", but other than that one clunker, I like every single song on that album. "Lonely" was a great departure for them. It was a ballad, but it had a guitar base rather than keys which is how Stryper has often done their ballads. Mike sings for his life on that track and its one of my favorites. I also really like the title track, Keep The Fire Burning, The World of You and I, and of course, as I stated above, my favorite Stryper song - Writings On The Wall.

For something interesting about Stryper's past, check this out over at CMR...

http://christianmetalrealm.niceboard.com/christian-metal-realm-f4/kurt-james-the-lost-stryper-guitarist-t10487.htm

It is like a missing chapter from the Stryper book "Loud N' Clear".

I have to say that Kurt James was a very genuine and personable during our talk. I hope that maybe Michael or Oz will add to the story and give us more insight to this time in Stryper history.

Right now, I'm still more interested in getting the info on why they did not wait to record the CD with Robert and then put the release date so far back. There was plenty of time to get Robert in the studio. I understand the wait on the release with Michael touring with Boston for a while and his wife's sickness. I'll cut them some slack with all that. But, they could have done the drum tracks at a different time. They wouldn't be the first band to track drums after the rest of the band was done. I work that way. Bill Menchen works that way, too. It isn't as rare as it used to be.

Well if they had the studio booked, then I am sure they had to use it.
As for not retracking the drums afterwards, I'm not sure. Maybe it just isn't worth the cost to go back into the studio just to get all the band members on the album.

Stryper album ranking for me:

1. To Hell With the Devil
2. In God We Trust
3. Soldiers Under Command
4. The Yellow and Black Attack (either version)
5. Reborn
6. Against the Law

Favorite Stryper tracks:
"The Writings on the Wall" - one of the best Michael Sweet screams ever, and totally infectious!
"The Way" - killer riff and awesome all-around!
"From Wrong to Right" - sweet riff, nothing else in the Stryper song list sounded like this!
"Soldiers Under Command" - awesome anthemic track!
"To Hell with the Devil" - another awesome anthemic track!
"More Than a Man" - wicked guitar intro, and great riff!
"The Reign" - wasn't IGWT supposed to be a more mainstream album? This song reeks of commercial metal goodness while completely rocking out.

There are more, but I'll spare you all my over-blown descriptions

Quote :

Well if they had the studio booked, then I am sure they had to use it.
As for not retracking the drums afterwards, I'm not sure.

I get that--I do. But, I also know that Robert is the type of drummer that doesn't have to spend days or weeks preparing to track music. Ask Bill Menchen. Most of the stuff that Robert has done for him was tracked after only a listen or two and playing through once or twice. I know that a lot of people are really bummed because Robert was cut out of the recording.

Maybe he is being punished for something.

Staybrite wrote:

Maybe he is being punished for something.

*bites tongue*

Quote :

*bites tongue*

Are you having a seizure?

I fail to understand why this is such a big deal. If the album is good, who cares that they used a studio drummer instead of Rob on this record? Tim Gaines didn't play on most of the 80's Stryper albums, and no one regards those as any less "Stryper" than if they'd had Tim playing. So what if Rob didn't play the album this time? He's going to tour with the band and he'll play all these new songs live, won't he?

I wish folks would just move on from this controversy.

Follower of Jesus wrote:

Tim Gaines didn't play on most of the 80's Stryper albums, and no one regards those as any less "Stryper" than if they'd had Tim playing.

Good point, Follower of Jesus! Now, this is my perception, and you are free to agree or not, but I'm guessing the reason why most Stryper fans didn't make a big deal out of Tim Gaines not playing on some of the Stryper albums is because, let's face it: bass players are great for being ignored and not getting as much recognition as other band members. Yes, I realize players like Cliff Burton, Billy Sheehan, and others have been able to get the bass more recognition, but...I gather that the '80's glam/hair metal scene was not a great time for bassists...so often overshadowed by the screamer vocalist and shredding guitarists, like they were...

Sharing thoughts...

I think your right TY about the 80's... Also, back then only people close to the band were in the know on thing like that as well and it took years for the mainstream to hear about it. Now, today with the internet something that happened in a rehearsal can be seen on YouTube, blogged & Twitter about within minutes. Then the forum discussion ensue. Is that a bad thing...? In my opinion NO.
Nobody forced them in to the limelight. You want to be a "Rock Star" then this come with it.

^^ Perhaps, but we need to be cutting them some slack. Plenty of "bands" have been one or two guys doing most of the work, and the other "band" members just touring & sharing the spotlight. People need to get over themselves. Robert is a solid drummer, but not so great that someone else couldn't emulate his style and he pick it up for the tour. He has lots going on, and if he had commitments already, that's the way the cookie crumbles.

It doesn't really make any difference to me. Maybe I am guilty of wacking the hornets nest with a stick. But I could really care less as long as I like the album.