Stryper – The Final Battle

It took me a LONG time to appreciate Stryper, and not for the reasons you’d imagine. I never had a problem with their overbearing Christian message or ridiculously flashy glam metal bumblebee image. Silly as it may be by today’s standards, it was really no more absurd than 5 east coast bikers in drag. I think my biggest problem with Stryper was that I judged a book by its cover. My introduction to the band was via VH1 Classic’s Metal Mania, who played the videos for “Calling on You” and “Honestly” on repeat. Needless to say, as a pre-teen infatuated by Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and so on, I chalked them up to second wave pop metal drivel, the same way I initially did FireHouse, Enuff Z’Nuff, and, believe it or not, Winger.

I’m not sure how many years later it was I stumbled upon songs like “To Hell with the Devil” and “Soldiers Under Command”, but I couldn’t help but reevaluate my stance on Stryper, especially considering these songs sounded like a Christian Judas Priest. As I took a deep dive into the Stryper catalog, I found myself amazed that I was sleeping on a stellar traditional metal band. Sure, there were the ill advised forays into commercial hard rock (1990’s Against the Law) and a handful of sappy ballads throughout, but that could be said for almost every band of this era. One thing that can’t be said is how these bands get heavier with age…well, unless you’re Stryper, in which case it can be said.

The latest string of Stryper albums have seen the band beef up their sound, production, and message in ways unthought of. Their latest effort, The Final Battle, is no exception. Part of this is because, unlike in the 80s, Stryper doesn’t have a major label to kowtow to. They’re signed to Frontiers, who is quite content in letting Stryper push their creative boundaries. So is their rabid fanbase, as the band regularly sells out midsized venues across the country. Whether they’re playing fiery Painkiller derived metal (“Transgressor”, “Rise to the Call”), doom laden Sabbath worship (“No Rest for the Wicked”), or good ol’ fashioned 80s arena anthems (“Same Old Story”, “Ashes to Ashes”), Stryper does so with courage and conviction.

The only low points of this album for yours truly is an unexpected foray into AOR territory (“Till Death Do Us Part”) and the obligatory CCM ballad (“Near”). It’s not even so much that these songs are “bad” per se. They just seem out of place on what is a largely heavy affair. Oz Fox can still deliver the goods on the guitar, unleashing one mega riff after the next, and shredding it up old school style. The rhythm section of Perry Richardson on bass and Robert Sweet on drums is locked and loaded, adding an extra dose of aggression to this album’s heaviest moments. And what can be said about Michael Sweet that hasn’t been said already? At almost 60, he can scream his head off with ease, shaking the heavens in the process.

If this album truly is Stryper’s Final Battle, what a way to end their recording career. Who am I kidding? These soldiers of light aren’t hanging it up anytime soon, especially when they continue to remain so consistent in the studio. Stryper has the power of God AND anime on their side. Okay, maybe not the latter, but I couldn’t think of a better review to reference this, as the kids say, “certified hood classic”. *sigh* I better end this review before I completely lose the plot.

7 out of 10

Label: Frontiers Records

Genre: Heavy Metal

For fans of: Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Scorpions