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STRYPER
No More Hell To Pay

Frontiers (2013)
Rating: 9/10

During the heyday of glam metal you either loved or hated Stryper. No one was without an opinion on the kings of God rock. Even the haters had to admit, the band had the talent to break into radio and MTV play when the scene was saturated with bands in eye shadow, tight pants and singers who could break glass with their piercing screams.

In many ways Stryper called it quits at the top of their game. They may not have been the biggest selling band of their time, but they never were out of the public eye, and ended their career with a string of strong albums including the platinum certified To Hell With The Devil (1986) and the gold In God We Trust (1988) and Against The Law (1990). Since the band’s return with Reborn in 2005 they have yet to capture the classic Stryper sound on CD, until No More Hell To Pay.

No More Hell To Pay returns the listener to the height of Stryper’s career. This is an album easily on par with fan favourite In God We Trust. As soon as the album opens it’s clear that this is the Stryper fans remember. Chunky guitar riffs and blazing solos are ubiquitous on these songs, and it’s a true return to form for a band that was one of the most unique of its time, both visually and sonically.

One needs only to listen to ‘Saved By Love’ to hear the components that Stryper built their reputation on. Strong guitars, lyrical themes, and Michael Sweet’s powerful voice all remain as if no time has passed since 1988. The band summons up an intensity that has been largely missing from albums released since their return to the music world, and provides an album of revitalized classic metal.

It’s difficult to point out the high points on this album because it’s just so darn consistent. The heavy metal cover of The Doobie Brothers’ hit ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’ is fun, and has a driving pace courtesy of drummer Robert Sweet and bassist Tim Gaines. ‘The One’ is a power ballad that will make fans of TNT wish for days gone by. ‘Revelation’ opens this album with a cutting tone that immediately brings to mind a young, hungry Stryper on the rise. The title track could sit right beside ‘To Hell With The Devil’ live, and offers the bold, in-your-face lyrics the band has always been known for. These songs are strong from start to finish.

Still, there are highlights to be sure. ‘Te Amo’ is full of the blistering guitars Michael Sweet and Oz Fox are known for. The shifting rhythms in the transition between verses and choruses is unexpected and shows that Stryper has continued to hone their craft, rather than simply fall back upon old habits. ‘Sympathy’ does much the same, working between tempos to build into a huge arena rock chorus. ‘Water Into Wine’ sounds very much like an updated take on the Quiet Riot sound. Styper has brought together the best sounds of 80s metal and served it up on a very modern platter.

I first heard Stryper in 1986 when I saw the video for ‘Honestly’ on MTV. As a fan I have been waiting since Reborn to hear Stryper return to the metal machine they were on heavy tracks like ‘The Reign’ and ‘In God We Trust’, and had given up hope that such a time would come. Stryper has not only returned to their classic sound, but has created the most powerful album of their career. If you’ve given up on Stryper, now is the time to check them out again. The masters of Christian metal can celebrate a triumphant return to form with No More Hell To Pay.

Jim McDonald