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Marty: My letter. So, all that talk about not changing future events, the space-time continuum?
Doc: Well, I thought, who cares!
I admit I hesitated a lot before deciding to write this review, aware of the numerous criticisms the name Stryper would attract. But then, like many times before, the words of good old Doc from the end of the first chapter of "Back to the Future" came to mind, and here I am.
The Stryper (name taken from a Bible passage, Isaiah 53:5 "and with his stripes we are healed") are among the most famous exponents of the so-called christian (or white) metal, that branch of heavy music (born in the first half of the '80s, but foreshadowed by certain pomp rock of the '70s) which combines a heavy and sharp sound with Christian-inspired lyrics and a positive attitude, in stark contrast to that "black" metal which was spreading at the same time. Advertising gimmick? Maybe, but why get upset when even figures like Cronos or Quorthon have said many times that their satanism, all about inverted pentagrams and beer (hopefully not spilled...), was just a pretext to shock?
It’s 1985 and the "bees" (famous for their yellow and black striped stage outfits), after an excellent EP that would be re-released a few years later with the addition of two tracks, arrive at their first album titled "Soldiers Under Command." The cover (decidedly ambiguous...) depicted them as modern crusaders, fully armed and with a van in Big Jim style behind them, or, for those who remember, Tansor 5.
Tasteless cover aside, on the album (excellently produced by the great Michael Wagener) a powerful riffing of clear heavy/power extraction is perfectly paired with the powerful and confident voice of Michael Sweet (who to my ears sounds, or rather sings, like a "metalized" version of Dennis DeYoung from Styx) author of sharp high notes as well as delicate and ethereal melodic lines (and who also amazes us as a guitarist).
It is precisely the talented Michael who leaves his mark on truly killer tracks (obviously for a good cause) like the title track, introduced by a powerful harmonized riff reminiscent of priestian memory, or "The Rock That Makes Me Roll", an epic and melodic track, almost power, rich with excellent solo interventions from guitarist Oz Fox and the aforementioned Michael Sweet. Naturally, there are also lighter moments like in the dynamic "Makes Me Wanna Sing", with that beginning "borrowed" from "Running Wild" by Judas Priest (it would be reprised by Adrian Smith in "The Wicker Man!") or in "Together Forever", a rock n' roll enriched by a delightful solo from the funny (?) Oz Fox. Let's also remember a thunderous Robert Sweet (Michael's brother) on drums, and a precise Tim Gaines on bass. Melancholic piano notes instead introduce the stunning ballad "Together As One" impeccably sung by a spine-chilling Michael Sweet, for a song that could soften even a fan of Marduk. Of a completely different register is the next "Surrender", in my opinion one of the best tracks on the album, where once again they don't hide their devotions more to Judas Priest than to Jesus. The track, whose beginning is somewhat reminiscent of none other than "The Hellion", once again features the exceptional guitar work of Oz Fox in one of his best solos ever (note that characteristic way of hitting the vibrato bar that a certain Petrucci would "invent" years later). The album closes with "Battle Hymn Of The Republic" better known as "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" reinterpreted in a metal key and with an applause-worthy Michael Sweet who bids us farewell proclaiming his faith.
The religiosity of Stryper is entirely American, excessive and gaudy if you will, but also for this, perfectly aligned with their rock n' roll attitude. A religiosity present in the lyrics but never flaunted in their look or at an iconographic level, unlike many of their contemporary "anti-colleagues": no robes or "not inverted" crosses on the cover, to be clear! The only concession, the now famous ritual of throwing Bibles from the stage (can you imagine, an autographed Bible by Oz Fox?).
For better or worse (?) if today it makes sense to talk about white metal, it is thanks to these four guys/missionaries and, above all, their incredible skill.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Soldiers Under Command (05:03)
SOLDIERS UNDER COMMAND
Verse 1
We are the soldiers under God's command
We hold His two-edged sword within our hands
We're not ashamed to stand up for what's right
We win without sin, it's not by our might
And we're fighting all the sin
And the good book -- it says we'll win!
Chorus
Soldiers, Soldiers, under command
Soldiers, Soldiers, fighting the Lords battle plan
Verse 2
Are you a soldier under God's command
Help fight the good fight, join us while you can
The battle that's waiting is fought so easily
Through Him, without sin there is victory
And were fighting all the sin
And the good book -- it says we'll win!
Repeat Chorus
02 Makes Me Wanna Sing (02:53)
Verse 1
We're gonna rock and have a good time
Tonight's the night, the night we move
Together we will stand to rock the land
We're gonna rock for something new
We're gonna rock for something true
Tonight's the night so let's lift up our hands
Chorus
Jesus, King, King of Kings
Jesus, makes me wanna sing
Verse 2
He makes me want to jump around
He keeps my feet above the ground
Tonight the night it's best to rock the land
We're gonna rock for something new
We're gonna rock for something true
Tonight's the night so let's lift up our hands
Repeat Chorus
06 Reach Out (05:22)
I was looking for the answer all the time
Always looking, never finding
I was empty inside
Falling into darkness
Needing the light to see
Reaching out for shelter
Then He set me free
I reached out, You reach out, He'll reach out today
If you're looking for the answer, now this is the time
To stop looking and start finding that feeling inside
You don't need the darkness
When there's a light to see
He'll provide the shelter
And He'll set you free
I'll reach out, I'll reach out
I'll reach out, I'll reach out today
Oh, reach out today
I'll reach out today
08 Together As One (05:05)
Verse 1
Now is the time
That we stand together as one
A new light inside us will shine
As bright as the sun
Verse 2
Let's bring, bring in the new
And do away with the old
A new love, a new love that's true
A love that's never cold,
A love that never dies
A love that fills our souls
We will survive
Chorus
Together as one
We'll stand for the world to see
Together as one
We'll shine bright throughout eternity
All the dreams we've dreamed before
Are now reality
Now the dreams of a perfect love
Will always be
Repeat Chorus
You and I in a perfect love faithfully
09 Surrender (04:30)
Verse 1
Singing out in harmony
It explains so well
What we're called to do
Want to rock so you can see
We can rock as well
Rock as well for you
Bridge You can have it all tonight
Pick it up and make it right
Oh, you can be free
In the dark you need a light
Do you want to make it right
Chorus
Oh, Jesus Christ is the lover of your soul
And He wants to give you all you need
So freely surrender
Open up unto His Majesty
Repeat Chorus
Jesus Christ is the lover of your soul
And He wants to give you all you need
So freely surrender
To the King
Freely surrender
Open up unto His Majesty...
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