Review| Stryper – When We Were Kings

Frontiers Records S.R.L.

New album `When We Were Kings’ of Stryper showcases the band’s ability to blend their classic sound with modern elements, delivering a powerful and diverse collection of tracks. The album combusts with its typical guitar offload between Oz Fox and Michael Sweet, and stands tall with melodic mayhem casted. The record demonstrates that the Christian metal pioneers are still at the top of their game after four decades in the industry.

MAGNIFICENT INTERPLAY

The album opens with the heavy-hitting single ,,End of Days”, which sets the tone for the record with its intense musicality and thought-provoking lyrics. This track exemplifies the signature style of Stryper while incorporating contemporary production elements. There’s a hint at epic metal, as well as a presence of power metal in its inflammation. With Sweet’s crooning and echoing vocals, the song grips and has you on edge for the rest of the album.

The interplay is magnificent and with Michael’s brother Robert as the band’s rhythmic timekeeper, the Stryper benchmark is guarded. Adding swagger is Perry Richardson’s intense playing, charging the tracks with electrifying licks and melodies, while being a safehouse for the chordal prowess. Check out the daunting ,,Unforgivable” which fluently transcends into the title track with its wonderful melody and guitar interaction. The orbiting melodic chorus is slick and warps us back to the band’s acclaimed first records. The fusion of past and present perfected, maintained on the following darker toned ,,Betrayed by Love”, adding a different structure to the Stryper accolades.

CLASSIC STRYPER SOUND

One of the standout tracks is ,,Loves Symphony”, which Michael Sweet describes as a great combination of their past and present sound. This song successfully merges the classic Stryper sound that long-time fans appreciate with a modern twist that appeals the newer listeners. Multi-layered memorable hooks, catchy as sh!t! Equally impressive is the magnificent ,,Rhyme of Time” that has a semi-ballad apparel underneath its striking heavy guitar and drum interplay. The melody and chorus are gripping immediately.

Mixing up their later heavy style with the band’s elemental 80s near-poppy melodies, Stryper bridges gaps and leans on a more directly accessible style as displayed on the wonderful ,,Raptured”. The sees the band injecting both components while also adding a bluesy note, plus Michael is on top of his game displaying his incredible vocal range. Fox’s guitars are simply astounding and his Eddie-eque fretboard strut is jaw dropping. Incorporating melody with his sweep-picking and string skipping, he has put his mark on the band’s sound, creating the foundation for Sweet to add his overpowering melodies and their close harmony soloing. The duo is severely overlooked and stands as a formidable tandem.

A DIFFERENT MELODIC FLAVOR

Slightly progressive in its timings ,,Trinity” displays the band’s creative dynamics, fusing the great drumming technique of Robert, with the gelling force of Oz and Michael on guitar, and Perry droning melodies in the low end. There’s a sincere growl amidst the crunchy hooks and Michael hitting the right notes. Midway the song breaks with 70s synthesizer effects over the thumping double kicks, while Michael unfolds a narrative croon leading into one of his signature pitches upon which the guitar tandem delves into the magnificent (but short) guitar off trade of crunch and melody during the solo.

,,Grateful” offers a different melodic flavor, Michael Sweet noting in the bio that it’s a throwback to earlier hits like ,,Calling on You.” This track features a straightforward pop/rock melody and groove, showcasing the band’s versatility. Wonderful!

Roaring with distinct power, ,,Divided by Design” is in line with their powerful contemporary metal strut, and it opens to the energetic album closer ,,Imperfect World” that fires on all engines. Guitars are discharging melody and brisk metallic power, drum ‘n bass push with relentless drive while Michael delves deep to convey the lyrical content. Check out the solo section; excellent. 

STRYPER – THE CONCLUSION

Throughout ,`When We Were Kings’ Stryper maintains a balance between heaviness and melody, with Sweet mentioning that the album features a “sing-along” style in many of the choruses. 

Vocally, Michael Sweet delivers a strong performance, dispelling any concerns he had prior to recording. His ability to hit powerful notes and convey emotion remains intact, and his pitches are on par still, contributing significantly to the album’s impact and the revival of their classic sound. Paying homage to Stryper’s roots, it equally demonstrates their willingness to evolve and experiment. 

Overall, `When We Were Kings’ is a solid addition to the band’s discography, showcasing their musical prowess, lyrical depth and ability to stay relevant in the ever-changing landscape of rock and metal.
Must hear!

Release date: 13 September 2024