Stryper released their debut album, THE YELLOW AND BLACK ATTACK, in 1984. Other notable albums from this controversial band include 1986's TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL and NO MORE HELL TO PAY (2013). Fast forward to 2018 and they are back with GOD DAMN EVIL (Frontiers Records). It peaked at #2 on the US Billboard Christian Albums chart and at #6 on the US Billboard Top Rock Albums chart. Lead singer Michael Sweet produced the album and says: "We thought long and hard about this title. It was actually considered quite a few years ago and it just didn't feel like the right time...It's a very bold statement, yet a prayer, asking God to damn/condemn evil. Nothing more, nothing less". Stryper is Michael Sweet (lead vocals/lead guitars), Oz Fox (lead guitars, bgvs), Robert Sweet (drums, visual timekeeper), and former Firehouse member Perry Richardson on bass. Due to time restraints, Richardson did not play on the album-instead, John O'Boyle played bass, having worked with Sweet in the past. Paul McNamara plays keys/moog, Danny Bernini plays percussion, and Charles Foley provides backing vocals on this project.
1. The album's first single, 'Take it to the Cross' is up first. Some of the band's fans had wanted them to try something heavier for a while now, so what we have here is a heavy metal song with a thrash chorus complete with a death growl by Matt Bachand of Shadows Fall. I actually think it works. The lyrics are straight forward Christian ones: "We were created, yet that is debated/But Christ said it so perfectly/'I am the Way and the Truth and the Life and you get to The Father through Me'/Through Me!/Take it to the cross (6X)".
2. 'Sorry' is a catchy power rock song about relationships. The chorus is not that creative: "Sorry/It doesn't always make it starry/Maybe next time be more charming/So you don't have to say sorry/No, you don't have to say sorry". Michael can still scream though!
3. 'Lost' is a terrific metal song with sizzling electric guitar work. It speaks about the spiritual sickness in society: "Watch the news and read the stories/It's a nightmare/Run for cover/Search for glory/Is it really anywhere?/Are we lost? Are we lost?/At what cost?/Are we lost?".
4. 'God Damn Evil' is one heck of a melodic heavy metal title track, again with great electric guitar work. Michael's vocals are excellent on this one. It declares war on the devil and his works and ways: "We power up the empty screen and let the games begin/Far beyond its poisoning is a special kind of sin/We open locks and break the chains and let the devil in/We're losing all of what remains/In a war we'll never win (2X)/God damn evil/God damn it all/But God save the people/But God damn the walls". Tyler Murello, Robert Sweet, and Paul McNamara provide additional background vocals.
5. 'You Don't Even Know Me' is a manly rocker addressed to Michael's critics: "Everything you do and say/Shows the world exactly who you are/Tip your hat the proper way/While cutting with your knife and leaving scars/Who do you think you are?/You don't even know me/But you think you're a god/You continue to show me/That you're only a fraud".
6. 'The Valley' is a plodding heavy metal number of spiritual determination: "I've spent my life trying to be a solar light in the darkest sea/Wearing my shield/For the final fight/I won't back down/I won't bend a knee/Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death/I fear no evil, no evil". The electric guitar work is crazy good!
7. 'Sea of Thieves' speaks of spiritual endurance: "We're alive and we are breathing/And we're surviving through it all/And for as long as hearts are beating, oh yeah/Our faith protects us when we fall/Love is second to none/The brightest star up in the sky/The story's just begun/We're not here to live to die/Stand/Stronger than an ancient tree/Land is just beyond the open sea of thieves".
8. 'Beautiful' is a melodic rocker that is a real confidence booster: "Your spirit and your soul/Can make dull worlds glow/When the cold needs a fire/You're the spark/You're more than a million to one/So shine with the moon and the sun/Cause you are beautiful/You are wonderful/Your life is meaningful/You will always be to me beautiful".
9. 'Can't Live Without Your Love' is a pretty rock ballad in the vein of AGAINST THE LAW's 'Lady'. Here are some of the sentimental lyrics: "Girl I've gotta tell you something/That I don't ever say enough/You took my life from next to nothing/When I was down and things were rough.../Woman/I can't live without your love/Every moment/Is just what this dream's made of/I can't live without your love".
10. 'Own Up' seems aimed at an enemy: "You're gonna have to own up/Gonna have to take the heat/You can't just phone up and say that it wasn't me/You're gonna have to own up/Say what you want/Act nonchalant/Continue to taunt/But man it must really haunt you/I know it's haunting you".
11. The album ends as it began, with a thrash metal vibe (minus the growling though) on 'The Devil Doesn't Live Here'. Here's the bold chorus: "The devil doesn't live here/Only, Jesus/Sold out with no fear/Only to Jesus".
Regardless of what you think of the album title, GOD DAMN EVIL is a mighty fine album, right up there with some of Stryper's now classic and heralded earlier albums. GDE makes it clear that the world we live in is in spiritual trouble. The devil is roaming about trying to destroy our souls. However, we can have hope if we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ and accept what he did at Calvary on the cross for us. This album encourages believers to have spiritual determination and an attitude of overcoming. Human relationships are also a theme on the album. There are songs about romantic relationships, one's enemies, and a marvelous song to boost your self-esteem. Stryper fans will be pleased with Michael's signature screams, the harmony vocals, and the outstanding electric guitar solos and work. Fans of hard rock and heavy metal need to pick up or download this album which I'm rating 97%. For more info visit: www.stryper.com and www.frontiers.it.