Review - Stryper- Second Coming (Frontiers Records)

   Anyone who heard me on episode 130 knows that I am not a fan of re-record cds. I understand that they are done for economic reasons, the label ponies up the cash and the band get the rights to the re-records. Sounds great for the band doesn't it. Here's what the fan normally gets: a half arsed performance from a band who have to change the tuning from the originals because the singer can't cut it like he used to. Want proof? Go listen to the last Dokken greatest hits re-records or the butchering Geoff Tate did of 4 Queensryche classics on Frequency Unknown.

   Well I'm glad to report that here's an exception. I got this because we recently did an interview with Stryper vocalist Michael Sweet and needed something up to date in the name of "research". What they have done is concentrated solely on their first 3 albums, 2 from The Yellow and Black Attack and 6 each from Soldiers Under Command and To Hell With The Devil. The running order from the originals is intact which added a nice touch.

   The result is fantastic. This cd rocks, of the 14 re-records there is only 1 ballad. The bands playing is as tight as ever. Michael Sweet is still an amazing singer and doesn't shun those high notes at all, also kudos to the rest of the band for their vocal harmony work.

   2 new tracks are also included and both rock especially Blackened. Frontiers Records have also done a nice job with the packaging. It seems more and more melodic rock bands from that era are ending up on Frontiers but it's not proving a graveyard for them at all.

   So nothing here from In God We Trust or Against The Law although Michael did say that they intend to get to these in the future. The bottom line and for me this is saying something: if the band had re-recorded these albums in their entirety and released them not only would I buy them but I would play them over the originals. This is that good. Now you tell me how many bands you can say that about.

   The band have also just finished recording their new cd No More Hell To Pay and Michael did say its heavy and it's the best work the band have ever done. You know what, on the strength of this I believe him. I await with bated breath. Go see them on tour.

Richie.

http://www.stryper.com/

ICONIC CHRISTIAN ROCKERS STRYPER SIGN TO FRONTIERS RECORDS FOR MULTI-ALBUM DEAL

RE-RECORDED COLLECTION “SECOND COMING” DUE OUT IN MARCH

Frontiers Records is proud to announce the signing of iconic Christian rockers Stryper to a multi-album deal.  The first release due out will be a new re-recorded collection; SECOND COMING will hit streets on March 22^nd in Europe and March 26^th in North America. 

The album features sixteen tracks, including new recordings of fourteen songs from the band’s early years as well as two brand new songs recorded especially for SECOND COMING, and is produced by Stryper frontman Michael Sweet. 

Sweet commented, “We're really excited about this record. The re-recorded songs are sounding awesome…better than the originals in many ways!  One word to describe the record? Heavier. We've hooked up with some great people - we've got new management, a great album, a great label. We just feel like everything is coming together, and hopefully some big things are to follow."  Please see below for the complete track listing.

Stryper is one of the top Christian rock bands of all time.  Comprised of the original line-up of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Tim Gaines (bass), and Robert Sweet (drums), Stryper has been rocking since 1984, and is responsible for such '80s metal classic albums as SOLDIERS UNDER COMMAND, TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL, IN GOD WE TRUST and such MTV hit singles/videos as "Calling on You," "Free," and "Honestly."

After a sabbatical for much of the 1990's, Stryper returned strong in the early 21st century.  To date, the band has sold upwards of 8 million records worldwide and is a Dove Award-winner and Grammy nominee.  Stryper is the first band to have two songs in MTV’s Top 10 simultaneously.

SECOND COMING track listing: Loud N’ Clear; Loving You; Soldiers Under Command; Makes Me Wanna Sing; First Love; The Rock That Makes Me Roll; Reach Out; Surrender; To Hell With The Devil; Calling On You; Free; The Way; Sing Along Song; More Than A Man; Bleeding From Inside Out (New song); Blackened (New song)

Weblinks: www.stryper.com / www.frontiers.it