Stryper - Even The Devil Believes

I’m seriously liking this record. This has a less modern vibe than the last few albums. It definitely has a more 80s feel to it. Some observations:

1. Does Oz do any solos on this? I’ve developed the ability to tell which solos are Mike vs Oz. But the solos here all sound like Mike. Maybe I’m just wrong.

2. I really like the vocal arrangements. For example, the choral effect right before the solo and at the end of Invitation Only...just brilliant! How To Fly also has some awesome vocal arrangements.

3. This I Pray is the first Stryper ballad I’ve liked in a while. Very cool song.

Overall, a killer album. Favorite tracks thus far: Let Him In, How To Fly, Invitation Only, and For God & Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Mine should be with me by Tuesday, but apart from the opening track (which will probably sound better in my CD player), all the others sound great.  Loving the new video for Do Unto Others.

I have finally gotten to listen to it all the way through.  This is solid listen, but nothing is grabbing me on the first pass like the album "Fallen" did.  That is pretty much the best thing Stryper ever did with "To Hell With The Devil" running a very close second for me.  It will take a couple more listens to see what stands out the most.

I have to agree with FoJ on wondering if Oz played any solos on this at all.  None of the solos sound like his tone which was always more tinny than Michael's.

I've listened to a couple songs and they're good but like Chris, didn't really grab me. THWTD won't be passed and I admit it's in large part to nostalgia but NMHTP has moved to second in their catalog.

I've got my CD already, and it's early days, but I find it more accessible than anything they've done since they reformed.  I think it's probably because it's not as heavy as the previous 3.  I do love the last three, but this one seems even better.  Not too keen on the first or last tracks (as I've already posted), but the rest are top notch!

I agree about “Middle Finger Messiah”. That’s the only song that I think is meh. Thankfully it’s at the end and is easily skipped.

Couple more listens and I think this one will grow on me. Invitation Only is a great song, little different for them and I enjoy How to Fly. I'm glad they're still around putting out quality music.

You know it's a good album when you can't figure out which song to pick to play first, and end up just playing the lot!

This one is already growing on me.  Let Him In is my favorite.

Cool, a new Stryper album.

I read some people saying that the album is just like the last three. I cannot understand that, because I do not think it sounds like the previous albums. It’s not wildly different, but definitely a change of pace.

I think it's because of tone. The way they record nowadays kind of flattens the sound.

Wow, a new stryper, that's so cool.
I'm looking forward to give this CD a listen.

It will be my first new CD of this year.

I still need to get this one.  I am lagging a little behind you all.

Staybrite wrote:

I still need to get this one.  I am lagging a little behind you all.

 Hurry up!

As I’ve been listening to this over and over again, I’ve noticed that is the closest they’ve ever sounded to the glory years. The tones are identical. The title track would have fit beautifully on THWTD.

This record is awesome. LOVE IT!

And sue me--I actually like Middle Finger Messiah!!! \m/

Normaniac wrote:

And sue me--I actually like Middle Finger Messiah!!! \m/

Add me to the list.  While I think the concept is probably in poor taste, it does get the point across well.  This could have been done in a way that would have easily been misconstrued, but lyrically you have no doubt where Michael is going with this. So, while the title is cringe-worthy, I still like the song.

Follower of Jesus wrote:

 Does Oz do any solos on this? I’ve developed the ability to tell which solos are Mike vs Oz. But the solos here all sound like Mike. Maybe I’m just wrong.

From a post by Michael on the FB page:

Here’s a guitar solo breakdown (many of you have asked):
Blood From Above (Michael)
Make Love Great Again (Oz/Michael)
Let Him In (Oz)
Do Unto Others (Michael)
Even The Devil Believes (Michael/Oz)
How To Fly (Michael)
Divider (Michael/Oz)
This I Pray (Oz)
Invitation Only (M/O/M/O)
For God & Rock ‘n’ Roll (Michael/Oz)
Middle Finger Messiah (Oz)

Ok, I finally downloaded this from Amazon and have listened to it once through.  Now I can be like the cool kids. 
At first listen I agree with most people who are saying this sounds more like 80's Stryper than anything they have done in the last 20 years (other than the modern recording/production).  I'm guessing with repeated listens it will likely be one of my favorites since the reunion of the band (possibly even #1 of the post reunion era).

This disc seems to be stuck in the cars CD player. It may not be coming out for a while.

Staybrite wrote:

Ok, I finally downloaded this from Amazon and have listened to it once through.  Now I can be like the cool kids. 

Uhhhhh, guys, should I tell him? 

Through The Dark Radio wrote:

Staybrite wrote:

Ok, I finally downloaded this from Amazon and have listened to it once through.  Now I can be like the cool kids. 

Uhhhhh, guys, should I tell him? 

Ummm--it's probably best to keep him the dark about this!  

alldatndensum wrote:

Through The Dark Radio wrote:

Staybrite wrote:

Ok, I finally downloaded this from Amazon and have listened to it once through.  Now I can be like the cool kids. 

Uhhhhh, guys, should I tell him? 

Ummm--it's probably best to keep him the dark about this!  

  Hey!  My mom says I'm cool.