Artist: Stryper
Venue: B.B. King Blues Club – NYC
Opener: none
Date: 9/24/2005
Label: Big3 Records
The Yellow & Black Attack are back and tonight those Messengers Of The Most High have come to the B.B. King Blues Club in NYC to support their latest studio release “Reborn”. The last time I saw Stryper was on the Reunion tour in 2003 which not only brought the band back together after a long absence but also promoted their greatest hits release entitled “7: The Best Of Stryper”. Since that night at Irving Plaza the band has picked up some reunion steam and was playing to a very nicely crowded venue once again some two years later. However, it was not long after the Reunion tours completion that found the band losing original bassist Tim Gaines. His last recording with Stryper would be the live release of “7 Weeks Live In America”. The group would press on and replace Tim with Tracy Ferrie and set out to record a new CD of material entitled “Reborn”. On entering the venue I found it to have a larger crowd than I recalled for the Reunion and that always makes for a better vibe up on the stage. At show time the band entered from the sections of the crowd and that caused frenzy; especially when leader Michael Sweet started singing from on top of one the back bars. It also seemed that everyone in attendance was a diehard fan with the exceptions of the few who were merely curious as to how the band would be in concert. Many people dismissed the band as “Hair Metal” or “Religious Rock”, but let me stress that they are excellent musicians and this capability shows in every song that they play.
Continue reading Stryper @ B.B. King Blues Club (9/24/2005) →
Artist: Stryper
Title: “Reborn”
Label: Big3 Records”
Release Date: 8/16/2005
Genre: Christian Metal
Rating: 7.5/10
Though Stryper has released the albums “7: Best Of Stryper” and “7 Weeks Live In America” it has been 14 years since the Soldiers Under Command have recorded an album of new material. The year 2005 would be a special one for the Brothers Sweet and Oz Fox for not only is a new CD ready for their fans but they also come featuring a new member. Not long after the release of the live CD, bassist Tim Gaines decided to leave the group. He is replaced by the talented Tracy Ferrie who adds a different edge of bass playing to the already tight lineup. The band sounds just as heavy as they came across on “Soldiers Under Command” and deliver the level of harmony and musicality you would find on “To Hell With The Devil”. I felt that these two earlier releases helped influence and add to the sounds that you will find on the new CD entitled “Reborn”. The new release continues along the bands beliefs and message of Hope and Faith in the Lord. Of the memorable tracks on the album “Reborn” is pretty self-explanatory while my favorites are “Passion” and “Open Your Eyes”. Each one of these tunes containing the powerful style and big sound that normally was expected and received in Stryper music. “In God We Trust” appears once again from the album of the same name on the new CD. This version is more modern and flows along with the sound on “Reborn” more than the big 80’s sound the 1988 version had. I find it interesting when bands choose to update existing tracks or bring older songs into the now. Stryper should try that with their hits as I think it would work for them.
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Artist: Stryper
Title: “7 Weeks: Live In America, 2003”
Label: Fifty Three Five Records
Release Date: 5/18/2004
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 7.8/10
Late last year Christian Rockers Stryper reunited for a small tour of the States. It was the first time in twelve years as a band that they had done this. I was able to catch one of these shows when they hit New York City. As a matter of fact, there is a review of this show elsewhere on the Metal Circus site (check Conciertos). This CD entitled “7 Weeks: Live in America 2003” is a souvenir to the fans of Stryper music to mark this tour happening. I enjoyed seeing the band reunite because of their positive message in a time where the world is full of so much less than that. So as a result, I also enjoyed the aspect of having the performances represented on a CD to keep in my music collection.
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Artist: Stryper
Title: “7: The Best Of Stryper”
Label: Hollywood Records
Release Date: 3/25/2003
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 10/10
A few months ago I had the chance to see Stryper at one of their Reunion shows when they came to New York. Since I was already a fan, I expected to enjoy myself. Given the fact that this was among the first shows the band had done in 12 years I expected the show to be full of the songs that made them popular. You see, around the time of the Reunion plans, a CD came out entitled “Stryper: 7 – The Best Of”. I was very impressed by this release. Now that I have a copy, I can spend a little time on it on behalf of the Metal Circus.
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