STRYPER – Reborn

Stryper was huge in the 80s. During that decade, they released four Pop Metal albums that brought them worldwide recognition, thanks also to the high MTV rotation of their “Honesty”-single. Both Soldiers Under Command and In God We Trust ended up as long time visitors on the Billboard chart.

Back in those days, Stryper ruled the scene along with acts like Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Quiet Riot, and WASP. However, Stryper was separated from these other bands due to their Christian beliefs, beliefs they never tried to hide. In fact, they did a number of things to share their Religious conviction — almost every lyric they wrote revealed their faith and Christian set of morals. They threw Bibles at their audience from the stage at their live shows. They had moments of prayer as encores. They added the Old Testament reference “Isaiah 53:5” to the front cover of all their albums — and they reaped success. Stryper was the first Christian Metal band to really make it big within this customarily profane market. It was not just worshippers of God alone who bought 8 million copies of their albums!

It all reached an end, though. After the release of Against The Law in 1990, the band split up. The spilt was due to various reasons, but Stryper was not the only Pop/Glam Metal band of the 80s that found the change of the musical scene in the early 90s a bit too tough with which to cope.

Then the band reunited in 2000 – no line up changes – and embarked on a well-received American tour that spawned the live album 7 Weeks: Live In America 2003, which was a great live album. Bass player Tim Gaines then decided to leave the band, and his replacement Tracy Ferrie was brought in as Stryper entered the studio to make their first album with original songs in 15 years.

The result of this is Reborn; 10 new tracks plus a remake of their hit “In God We Trust” from the album with the same name. The product is unmistakable Stryper; fat guitars, big backing vocal arrangements, catchy melodies, and, of course, singer Michael Sweet’s rich, high-pitched and characteristic voice.

Even though they still are doing their songwriting and arranging in pretty much the same way as they did before, they have, soundwise, managed to achieve a musical expression that’s updated enough for 2005 to let them get away with their style. Their record company promotes the album as Pop Metal, but a few of the tracks certainly punch the Pop out of the description. On the other hand, some of the tracks stray way too far in the opposite direction – not at least the power ballads.

One can’t deny the fact that the times are getting close to a point where it is pointless to try to write a new noteworthy Pop Metal power ballad. It’s too late. Honestly, Reborn’s (powerful but) mellow moments — “Passion,” “If I Die,” and “Wait For You” — are all a bit parodical and add little to the album, and nothing new to Stryper’s career.

On the other hand, the opener, “Open Your Eyes,” “When Did I See You Cry,” “Rain,” and “Live Again” are all huge tracks … heavy, edgy, and truly great examples on the best the genre has to offer. With the latter tracks, Stryper picks up the attitude right where they left off after the 1991 Against The Law sessions.

Compared to the aforementioned killers, the title track, “Make You Mine,” and “10,000 Years” might get a little anonymous. Still, the overall impression from Reborn should be a strengthened recognition of the value of comebacks in general. The great number of reunited Hard Rock and Metal bands during the recent years has done so much good to so many new and old fans. The most generous of the bands offer both new albums and tours. Stryper indeed does both. It feels good to note that Stryper has reentered the arena proving they still have got a lot to give. God bless them.

Lineup

Michael Sweet – vocals
Oz Fox – guitars
Robert Sweet – drums
Tracy Ferrie – bass