FRENZY FIRE

    

METAL & ROCK REVIEWS

    
             
HOME            
REVIEWS            
ARTISTS            
UPCOMING            
LINKS            
             

 

     
   
   
       
       

The Final Battle

    
       
       
       
     
             
Stryper are a heavy metal band from the USA formed in 1983 releasing fourteen albums across a four decade career, which includes a ten year hiatus between 1993 and 2003. The band are regarded as pioneers of the metal sub genre Christian Metal, but for many (me included), Stryper are simply a cracking heavy metal band, well respected among their peers with a loyal following that has supported them for nigh on forty years. In recent years the bands musical direction has taken a heavier turn, yet hasn't lost any of its highly melodious intent or incredible infectious nature. The bands most recent album 'The Final Battle' - released in 2022 - features eleven songs across forty six heavy hitting minutes.    
             
But just before I get into the bands new music - I first heard Stryper way back in the mid eighties when 'Co'mon Rock' simply took my breath away! Taken from their 1984 debut album 'The Yellow And Black Attack', 'Co'mon Rock' has energy and oomph in abundance, and Stryper quickly became a favourite band of mine. Not for their Christian leanings though, simply for their bombastic hard rocking nature. And now, nearly forty years later, I have the absolute pleasure of reviewing their newest album 'The Final Battle' - featuring three of the bands original members...brothers Michael (lead vocals, guitar) and Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitar), and new bandmate Perry Richardson (bass), formerly of hard rockers Firehouse - another favourite band of mine.    
             
But back to the business in hand, reviewing 'The Final Battle' - which gets off to a belting start with the heart pounding metaller 'Transgressor'. Fiery and loaded with aggression, 'Transgressor' is fast paced "foot on the monitor" heavy metal at its finest. But then, what else would you expect from one of the worlds finest metal bands! Stryper are back, and hitting harder than ever - just how do you follow such a bombastic barnstormer of an opening salvo! By planting both feet firmly on the mid tempo melodic metal thunder train, that's how. The band shuddering the ground as they foot stomp their way forward with an incredible amount of force - 'See No Evil, Hear No Evil' a master class of melodious intent. Watch, listen and learn all you younger bands, this is how melodic heavy metal should sound like - take note of the grandmasters of metal, they ain't gonna be around forever. But thankfully their music will be, so make sure you get your copy of 'The Final Battle', and dive into the bands extensive back catalogue too. It'll be worth it I promise.    
             
There's plenty of Christian messages throughout the album for the followers of the faith to enjoy, but like I said earlier, for me, it's all about the metal. And with catchy and infectious songs like 'Same Old Story' planting a smile a mile wide on my face - and the faces of many listeners too - I feel like I'm in heavy metal heaven. Stryper have always been very addictive, their music so enthralling you end up stopping whatever it is you're doing just to listen to them when they come on the radio. 'Heart & Soul' takes us in to the weighty foot stomping style of anthemic heavy metal, with a pace pick up over the chorus break and into the second verse. But it's that chorus - phenomenally gorgeous! Rabble rousing to the rafters, Stryper have hit the proverbial nail on the head with regards to audience involvement - the infectious level rising right through the fucking roof! And now then, regular readers will know my stance with regards to ballads on metal albums - they just shouldn't be! But there are a select number of bands that can get away with it, bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Rage, and the "queen of metal" Doro - and Stryper too. The ballad 'Near' will have lighters raised high, with every listener, fan, and follower swaying from side to side. A simply magical moment from a magical band.    
             
Returning fully to the heavy metal genre, the band hit hard with 'Out, Up & In' - a thundering mid tempo tsunami of head bang ability. The incredible infectious nature of everything that Stryper do, is simply out of this world. And I'm fairly sure the band wouldn't have had the longevity they have had without some sort of special ingredient. What a band, and what great music they write. And the great music just keeps on coming - 'Rise To The Call' the next melodic monster from these American metal masters. And a chorus that'll go down a fucking storm in a live arena, the band caring for their audience in a massive way too. The energy and oomph since the album began has been around in abundance, 'The Final Battle' a barnstorming barrage of brilliance! Stryper concerts must be one helluva joyous time. The hardest foot stomper on offer 'The Way, The Truth, The Life', is a ground shuddering tornado of total devastation, with buildings in danger of collapse from its weighty force. Yet amazingly, the band weave their melodic mastery throughout 'The Way, The Truth, The Life' to create an atmosphere of awe and wonder. Stryper are simply fantastic, making a late charge for the Album Of The Year title.    
             
Now did I just describe the previous song as "the hardest foot stomper on offer"...? Well methinks I need to revise that statement, for 'No Rest For The Wicked' puts 'The Way, The Truth, The Life' well and truly in the shade. 'No Rest For The Wicked' is heavier, and features a level of menace not heard on the album so far. And while the band have included a ballad on 'The Final Battle', Stryper have remained firmly rooted in the heavy metal genre. And for the first time, the old school sound of the band comes to the fore with 'Till Death Do Us Part' reminding me of eighties era Stryper. What an album this is, and what an absolute pleasure it has been to review. And with one song left to go, I can honestly say Stryper haven't let anyone down, crafting a massively attractive album that'll remain on listeners play-lists for a long time. So, 'Ashes To Ashes', the albums final song - an energetic barnstormer, proving the band are an exemplary force of nature. From minute one to minute forty six, the band have rocked, rolled, and run around the metal genre like crazed lunatics! And delivered one of the years best albums.    
             
Overall, a barnstorming and bombastic barrage of melodic heavy metal from one of the finest bands in the industry.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
Review is also featured at Metal-Roos    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
When We Were Kings      
           
"magnificence and elegance personified, Stryper have delivered a sensational album of infectious, heavy hitting metal and rock" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
Top