Stryper Rides Into The Final Battle

By Phil Hawkins

The yellow and black attack is back as Stryper releases their 14th studio album, The Final Battle, out October 21st via Frontiers Records.

Stryper have been a Christian metal staple ever since the release of The Yellow and Black Attack almost 40 years ago. Anyone familiar with the band knows that they have made a name for themselves with their own blend of 80s hair metal with distinct Christian lyrical themes. It’s this blend that has amassed them a global following that seems to be even stronger now than it ever has. The Final Battle is no different as it is chock full of “Christianese” lyrical content that at times rides a fine line of being cheesy. Musically, the album showcases the band firing on all cylinders with solid drum beats and killer guitar solos scattered through the album as a whole.

The album opens with “Transgressor” which is a musical barn burner as it relentlessly rips through showcasing the guitar prowess possessed by both [Michael] Sweet and [Oz] Fox. “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” follows with a slower tempo, but overall theatrical element intertwined throughout the track. “Same Old Story” stays very much in the same vein musically, but seems to lack in lyrical depth. “Heart & Soul” is another solid mid tempo track showcasing a fiery guitar solo that seems to be rather commonplace on each track.

The mid section of the album kicks off with “Near” is the power ballad of the album and was inspired by [Michael] Sweet’s wife, Lisa. The album picks the tempo back up with “Out, Up & In” and “Rise to the Call.” Both tracks are easily on par with the first part of the album and showcase that solid blend of hair metal that Stryper is synonymous with.

“The Way, The Truth, The Life” is another blatantly “Christanese” track lyrically, but it mixed with the continuously solid musicianship that the band brings to the table. The album draws to a close with the combination of “No Rest For The Wicked,” “Till Death Do Us Part” and “Ashes to Ashes.” None of which really stand out amongst the rest of the album, but it is to note that “Ashes to Ashes” contains some of the best drum work on the entire album.

Overall, The Final Battle is an okay album. If you are a die hard fan of the band you will definitely enjoy it as it everything we have come to expect from the band. However, it is that same sentiment that makes the album mildly lackluster. Musically, it’s spectacular as it showcases a band who have continued to hone their craft over the decades. Lyrically, it is wildly predictable and pushes no new ground. Vocally, [Michael] Sweet is a powerhouse with an amazing range. However, the “hair metal” aspect seems a bit antiquated in 2022 and it would be interesting to see the same album done with a deeper/lower vocal approach.

No matter how you approach it The Final Battle has plenty of highlights to make it enjoyable, but it’s not necessarily for everyone. Stryper knows what they do best and they continue to do it and excel at it.

The Final Battle is available now on all streaming and digital platforms or you can order physical copies via the band’s webpage.