Stryper has always been a bit of an underdog considering their Christian message and the world of hard rock music. Through the years, they have had their ups and downs but have persevered and have just released their 11th full length original studio album “Fallen.”
After holing up at Spirithouse Recording Studio in Northhampton, MA, the band has come up with their most overtly religious and yet heaviest record they have ever done. “Fallen” starts out with the spiritual “Yaweh,” a song co-written with Clint Lowery of Sevendust, with orchestration and choir before blasting into thrashing guitars at breakneck speed. The contrast between the blistering guitars and the soaring vocals of the refrain is incredible. The title track is up next with its full bore chorus and then the first single “Pride” with its driving riff and beats. The guitars of Oz Fox and Michael Sweet are simply out of control and something we have never heard from them before and Michael’s vocals sound the best they ever have. The ’80s metal feel of “Love You Like I Do” will please long time fans with its giant chorus and catchy hook. There isn’t a true power ballad on the album but instead a real, laidback acoustic number in “All Over Again.” Stryper evens puts their own spin on the Black Sabbath song “After Forever,” a religious themed song written by Geezer Butler. My favorite track on the record is the powerful, straight up hard rock of “The Calling.” Closing the record the way they started it with the spiritual “King of Kings,” Stryper puts the finishing touch on a terrific new album.
After all these years, it appears that the underdogs of Stryper have reached a new creative peak with “Fallen.” Lyrically Christian and musically metal as ever, “Fallen” represents a perfect blend of the heavy music Stryper loves and the beliefs they hold true to their hearts.
