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Post by Admin on Sept 7, 2020 5:34:35 GMT
Stryper, “Even the Devil Believes” (Frontiers)
Even the devil, long reputed in some circles to be in league with rock ‘n’ roll, must believe by now that Stryper could well be God’s favorite band. The Christian heavy metal quartet is still slamming it so hard, fast and loud nearly 40 years later that they may have friends in the highest places.
Stryper came of age in the big melody-bigger hair ’80s, epitomizing the decade’s blend of harmony and hardness. It’s a sound they have led the way keeping alive; their twin guitar solos remain instantly identifiable, and singer Michael Sweet hasn’t lost anything off his vocal fastball.
The band’s new album, “Even the Devil Believes,” kicks off with a roar in “Blood from Above,” and it sets a breakneck pace right through the equally accelerated closer “Middle Finger Messiah,” a song about how many people turn their back on Jesus.
Sweet insists the provocatively titled “Make Love Great Again” isn’t a swipe at President Donald Trump, but rather a call to unite and embrace goodness and light — even though one of its verses speaks of “a culture that’s building walls.” They record, you decide.
“This I Pray” is Stryper’s own “Blaze of Glory,” in the same vein as the Bon Jovi classic, where the singer begs God for one more day of a life he hopes to turn around. And “Divider” could be the best song that Judas Priest never wrote.
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Post by Admin on Sept 7, 2020 22:58:34 GMT
XS ROCK has brought in Satan himself to give us his take on the new Stryper album, “Even The Devil Believes”…so without further delay, here’s the review from the Prince Of Darkness himself: Just freakin’ great…these guys again? They never give up! I am just about at the end of my rope. I mean, let’s face it, I’ve done a lot of work to thwart these guys and their agenda. I mean, I’ve caused turmoil within the band, leading to one band member being replaced. I’ve even inflicted one of them with a serious illness and now he’s recorded some of his best guitar work since the beginning of the band. Don’t forget I’m still ticked off about how this whole thing went down from the beginning. If we go way back to the beginning, these guys were all set to break out as a secular metal band. They weren’t exactly angels at this point…but then, poof! They betray me at the last minute with this whole Jesus thing and become a sheep in wolf’s clothing. I mean they actually went out and threw bibles into the audience at a rock concert. Who does that? I admit though, I was able to mess up their aim sometimes and caused the bibles to smack some of the fans upside the head…ha ha ha, that was great! Heavy Metal music was my baby from the beginning and to have someone twist it all around like this is a serious low-blow! But now, they’ve put out their new album “Even The Devil Believes” and everyone wants my opinion on it. I guess because it mentions me by name. First of all, I wasn’t expecting to be called out on this question, but if you want the truth, here it is…Yes! I believe in God! Duh, it’s just common sense. If people don’t believe there’s a God, then they have no reason to believe in me. I mean, I wouldn’t really serve a purpose, now would I. God and I are two polar opposites, like hot and cold, light and dark and, of course, good and evil. You can’t understand the difference without the presence of the other. Now onto this album. Well, you know, I’m going to dislike these lyrics, I mean, I am Satan! 2020 has been a great year for me. I’ve put a lot of work into making this year just seem apocalyptic and the last thing that I need is some Christian metal band coming along and trying to give people hope. Give me a break! But, I’ve got to give credit where credit is due. The music is some of the best stuff these guys have released since the beginning of their careers. Robert Sweet literally beats the hell out of those drums (no pun intended). And the guitar duo of Michael Sweet and Oz Fox is simply incredible. These riffs and solos are simply scorching New bassist Perry Richardson lays the beat down heavy and the vocals of Michael Sweet hitting those incredible high notes sound like a man possessed (I wish he was!, but so far, I haven’t been able to get that done. haha). This album is some of the heaviest material the band have delivered in a long time and sounds like a throwback to their earlier sound only heavier. Standout songs are “Blood From Above”, “Make Love Great Again”, “Do Unto Others” and of course “Even The Devil Believes” (mostly becomes it mentions me and I’m vain like that, haha). I’ve seen some other reviews where people judge them strictly on their beliefs, but I couldn’t care less, after all, I still seem to have King Diamond and a whole army of Black Metal bands still spreading the word. So, I’ll chalk the new Stryper album as a loss in my column. Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some. Track Listing for “Even the Devil Believes”: 1. Blood From Above 2. Make Love Great Again 3. Let Him In 4. Do Unto Others 5. Even The Devil Believes 6. How To Fly 7. Divider 8. This I Pray 9. Invitation Only 10. For God & Rock ‘N’ Roll 11. Middle Finger Messiah
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Post by Admin on Sept 17, 2020 6:42:11 GMT
Veteran Christian hard rock band Stryper, which logged its first of 15 appearances on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart in 1984, earns its first No. 1, as Even the Devil Believes blasts in at the summit (on the Sept. 19-dated survey).
The set starts with 10,000 equivalent album units earned in its first week, ending Sept. 10, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.
"After 36 years of recording and releasing music, we're so humbled to have our first album top the chart," founding member and lead vocalist Michael Sweet tells Billboard. "We've worked very hard over the years, but I don't know if we've ever worked harder than we did for Even the Devil Believes. We've seen good times and bad times. We've persevered through it all, and to finally have a No. 1 makes it all worthwhile. We're so grateful and thankful for everyone who has helped to make this possible. Here's to 36 more."
Stryper first reached Top Christian Albums with The Yellow and Black Attack, which debuted in November 1984 and reached No. 10 the following June, marking the outfit's first of 11 top 10s.
Even the Devil Believes follows God Damn Evil, which started and peaked at No. 2 on Top Christian Albums in May 2018 with 8,000 units.
A bit of drama surrounded the retail launch of the latter LP, which Walmart refused to sell it due to its title. "It's confusing to see all the music on Walmart shelves with explicit labels, yet they won't carry Evil, which is a prayer asking God to condemn evil," Sweet told Billboard at the time.
Sweet boasts one solo No. 1 on Top Christian Albums, as One Sided War, his seventh solo studio set, opened atop the tally in September 2016.
MORE THAN 'ALRIGHT': Tye Tribbett's "We Gon' Be Alright" rises 2-1 on Gospel Airplay, up by 11% in plays in the week ending Sept. 13.
Tribbett tallies his second Gospel Airplay leader and first since 2006, when "Victory" began a three-week reign that September. His first entry, "Everything Part l, Part ll," hit No. 6 in July 2005, awarding him his first of seven career top 10s.
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Post by Admin on Sept 18, 2020 7:15:11 GMT
Stryper vocalist-guitarist Michael Sweet has voiced his opposition to Cardi B's recent hip-hop hit with Megan Thee Stallion, "WAP." Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Christian metal band's frontman seems to take issue with the lyrics and overall message of the song that's title is an acronym for "Wet-Ass Pussy."
Sweet's critique of the track first came to the fore on Facebook earlier this month. Following the Cardi B song's Aug. 7 release, the Stryper singer equated "WAP" with excrement and asserted that the number sets back women's rights.
"Call me old fashioned," Sweet said, "but when I think of my grandkids listening to this and singing along to this piece of [Pile of Poo emoji] I get a little heated. Why do we work so hard for equal rights and respect (especially for woman as we should!) yet we make a pile like this #1 and step backwards?"
The Stryper frontman expanded on his remarks during an interview on the Cobras and Fire podcast this week. While suggesting he didn't want to be viewed as a moralist, the musician compared "WAP" to Miley Cyrus's career and that singer's onstage use of a large inflatable phallus in 2014.
"I don't wanna come across like a prude or someone that is closed-minded," Sweet relayed, "but I just find it interesting how, here we are in 2020 fighting for women's rights, as we should be, and you've got videos like that. There's a time when it's not about judging — it's just about what's right and what's wrong. … I don't want that garbage going into my granddaughter's ears."
The Stryper singer continued, "I think that we have a responsibility as artists, and many artists cross that line. I said the same thing about Miley Cyrus. Here she is on Disney — all these kids are looking up to her and following her — and the next thing you know, live in concert, she's riding a big, hanging whatever. And I'm just thinking, can't she just have a little responsibility — even just a smidgen of responsibility?"
Still, Sweet conceded that, as both an artist and an American, Cardi B is free to "do whatever she wants, as can I, by commenting on it."
Stryper released their latest studio album, Even the Devil Believes, on Sept. 4.
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Post by Admin on Oct 6, 2020 19:26:55 GMT
Stryper - "Divider" - Official Music Video
The official music video for "Divider", the new single from openly Christian hard rockers STRYPER, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's latest album, "Even The Devil Believes", which was released on September 4 via Frontiers Music Srl.
STRYPER comments: "We are so amazed at the response of our first video, 'Do Unto Others'.
"We are very blessed to have been able to not only shoot one video but to also shoot a second video for 'Divider'.
"This song has received an incredible amount of positive comments from fans worldwide. And to top it off, we recorded a group of fans on the choruses. They nailed it!!
"We're very happy to bring you yet another incredible video (despite the obstacles and difficulties of trying to do so) and we hope you like what you see/hear. Please help us spread the word and take this one to the top. Here is 'Divider'!"
Filled with the band's signature riffs, harmony-laden melodies and positive themes, the 11-track project is STRYPER's first studio album with Perry Richardson (FIREHOUSE) on bass and background vocals.
"We're incredibly happy to write a new chapter in the book of STRYPER," says vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet, who has served as the band's primary songwriter since its inception in 1983. "This album was recorded during the pandemic, and I believe the message pertains to the times we are living in so perfectly. It's a recording of hope and inspiration and a light in the darkest of times."
Sweet, who also produced the new album, revealed that the band members delivered focused determination, a collaborative spirit and spot-on execution for the new record. The result is a collection of remarkable songs that will leave a strong impact on listeners.
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