STRYPER: The Final Battle

The Yellow and Black Attack have descended upon us once again with a new metal release. Of course I’m writing about Stryper’s latest album, The Final Battle. This is what, their seventh or eighth release on Frontiers Records (the faithful will correct me for sure) and still they show no sign of slowing down. Seemingly there has been a true renaissance over the last 5-6 years for Michael Sweet and company.

One thing I’ve noticed for sure is instead of a time of joy there are rustlings within the Christian Metal community: “It’s the greatest Stryper album ever!” “I hate Stryper.” “What’s wrong with you?” “I like the old stuff better.” “It’s not Stryper without Tim Gaines!” “Stryper is the best band of all time!”… These comments are repeated often and endlessly in forums across the ‘net echoing fandom of other artists throughout the rock and metal world.

I’m left wondering if this type of fandom is sustainable. The hyper critical comments of the band, the hyper critical comments toward those who disagree with the perceived status quo of how great the band is. I’m sure many of you are wondering where I’m going with this, but I will just say not everything the band says or does is to be admired and not everything they say or do should be condemned. It really sounds simple enough but in today’s “us vs. them” mentality its difficult to weave one’s way through the battlefield of fandom.

As for me … I’m here to review The Final Battle and I will just say this about my fandom. I bought the EP in 1984, one of the early pressings as the bottom part of the cover is chopped off. Saw them the first time in San Francisco January 1985 at Wolfgang’s. There are some bootlegs out there of that night. My last show was in 2012 and it was a monster, they crushed it. I’ve seen them many times and rarely have I left a show disappointed. It’s happened, but not many times. I’ve had members of Metallica compliment me for wearing a Stryper shirt, seriously.

I dig a lot of the Stryper catalog and yet there are some of the early 2000’s output that was somewhat lack luster in my opinion. Coupled with my general avoidance of ballads might lend you to think I’m not much of a fan, don’t let that fool you!

This finally brings me to the album at hand, The Final Battle. The lead off single “Rise to the Call” was a cannon shot as far as I was concerned. Double kick, powerful, melodic and MEMORABLE!! It was a track I hit repeat on right after I heard it the first time. The lyric of “We fight and we wrestle, Risk losing it all; When we could win battles and RISE TO THE CALL!!” I will put it out there, this is one of the best Stryper tracks in recent years.

Several of the other singles issued, the melodic yet initially dirge like “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” ultimately opens up and climaxes with a highly memorable chorus. Album opener “Transgressor” is a bullet train that speeds along with Robert Sweet doing double time throughout. It’s memorable with a terrific guitar solo. The fourth single “Same Old Story” is a mid tempo rocker which arrives at another memorable chorus.

Stryper has seemingly developed their sound, their “formula” if you will. All of the classic bands have one. Iron Maiden has it, you hear one of their songs and you know it’s a Maiden track, good bad or indifferent. AC/DC is the same way, they’ve defined a sound. A piece of musical turf if you will. I don’t buy their albums looking for much deviation, it’s not that I don’t mind something different but it’s not what I desire from these artists.

The Final Battle has a great sound and honestly it’s evenly balanced. Yes, it’s much like the previous album Even the Devil Believes, but this is Stryper. Heavier tunes (like album closer “Ashes to Ashes” punch your fist in the air and yell!), crunchy mid tempo stuff (man, you got to hear “Heart & Soul” and “No Rest for the Wicked” just stellar melodies and hooks … WOW!) and yes, two slower tunes.

Ballads? Yes .. sort of … not really … the track “Near” is much closer to ballad territory but no syrup to be found. Highly memorable, and leads to the song “Till Death Do Us Part” which isn’t really a ballad at all. However a mid tempo song that has a really good and memorable chorus. Both songs you look at your loved one and commit yourself to them.

Lyrically the album is very evangelical and “upfront” with its message. That doesn’t mean every single song is “Jesus Saves” but the point of view is never hidden. Michael Sweet hasn’t ever been one to mince words.

In a nutshell I dig this album a lot. I’ve listened to it more than 10x’s at this point and I’m not tired of it. It did take me 3-4 complete spins to really digest it and I think that is something that some folks miss, they think, “It didn’t blow me away the first time so it’s not that good.” Very short-sighted.

The Final Battle by Stryper is one of the best albums of 2022. Grab your copy and crank it up. LOUD!

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