I don’t make a habit of writing album reviews, but this material is so good I felt compelled to give it a plug.
Has any band in the history of music released their best material to date in the 30th year of their existence? Well, this past Tuesday, Christian Hard Rock / Heavy Metal band Stryper released their 11th studio album, No More Hell to Pay, and this might just be the best in their 30 year history. It is the first Stryper record in 23 years to feature the original lineup of Michael Sweet (vocals, guitar), Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (backing vocals, guitar), and Timothy Gaines (backing vocals, bass).
I’ve been listening non-stop since Tuesday, and it has everything you could hope for in a Stryper record…hard rocking sound, inspiring lyrics, tight vocal harmonies, high-pitched screams, and virtuoso guitar solos. Every song on this album is fantastic, and Michael Sweet has NEVER sounded better. His vocals continue to amaze.
Highlights of the record include my favorite song Sympathy (in the video above), as well as Legacy, Saved by Love, Water to Wine, and a cover of Arthur Reid Reynolds’ classic Jesus is Just Alright. If you’re a fan of Stryper, or hard rock music, I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this great record. I can’t wait for my blue-vinyl copy to arrive next week!