Yellow and Black Forever: Stryper, AI, and the Story of a Gen X Fan
By Seth Metoyer, Heaven’s Metal Magazine
As a fan of Stryper since the 80s, I’ve witnessed the band navigate their remarkable journey through both triumphs and challenges. For many Christian Gen Xers like myself, Stryper was more than just a rock/metal band—they were a soundtrack to our childhood. I distinctly remember their first MTV single, “Free,” which introduced me to their music and left a lasting impression. Albums like Yellow and Black Attack and Soldiers Under Command were staples in my life, and of course, To Hell with the Devil was their juggernaut. I stood by them even through In God We Trust, when some fans started to bail, even though they were still receiving major MTV airplay with singles like “Always There For You” and “I Believe in You.”
By the time Against the Law was released, my connection with the band began to shift. I grew up in Montana, not far from the infamous Heavy Metal Pastor of Sanctuary International, Pastor Bob Beeman, and around that time, I began discovering heavier Christian bands that spoke to me more. Bands like Vengeance Rising, Deliverance, Mortification, Betrayal, Seventh Angel, The Crucified, and Sacrament started to capture my attention, and as a result, my fandom for Stryper faded somewhat. Still, I liked songs like the title track and “Lady” from Against the Law, and I continued to admire the band’s resilience in the face of adversity and their dedication to spreading the Gospel through their music.
I was all in on the Stryper wagon during those formative years. I found a yellow and black scarf at a Salvation Army store—not official Stryper merch, but it captured the spirit—and wore it proudly to school during the winter, along with a jean jacket that had a To Hell With The Devil back patch, an MTV logo, and Stryper pins. My neighbor, on the other hand, was more into secular metal bands like Poison, Mötley Crüe, and Guns N’ Roses. He collected posters from Metal Edge magazine, which were often double-sided with band photos. One summer, while he was out, I flipped a Skid Row band photo because Stryper was on the back, hoping it might get him to give the band a chance. It took him a few weeks, but eventually, he flipped it back to Skid Row. Still, I considered it a win—for Christian metal!
A standout disappointment of my teenage years came in 1988 when I was supposed to see Stryper live in Missoula, Montana. My mom was ready to drive me and my brothers to the show, but at the last minute, the band canceled. That letdown has stayed with me for decades, especially since I still haven’t had the chance to see them live, even after living in multiple states. Seeing Stryper remains on my bucket list. On the bright side, my younger brother finally got to see them 30 years later in Billings, Montana, where he was hit with a flying Stryper Bible (trust me, he needed that) and managed to score a Robert Sweet drumstick. Moments like these, even secondhand, serve as a reminder of how Stryper continues to leave their mark on fans, no matter how much time passes.
Recently, Stryper released the video for “Betrayed By Love,” a dark ballad from their latest album When We Were Kings. The song reflects the pain of betrayal—something Jesus Himself experienced. Listening through the entire album, I have to say that their music remains as powerful as ever. In fact, it seems like they’re writing even stronger songs than back in their heyday. I tend to agree with Michael Sweet’s sentiments regarding the nostalgia many fans hold for their 80s material. While some fans believe their best songs are behind them, I think they’re simply viewing the past through a nostalgic lens. If fans were to step back and listen through Stryper’s full catalog, they might find that, from a musician’s and songwriter’s perspective, the older material, while iconic, wasn’t always as refined. Many of their early albums contain maybe four to five standout tracks, while others don’t quite hold up to the same standard.
However, the video for “Betrayed By Love” sparked some additional controversy among fans due to the use of AI and the fact that only Michael Sweet appeared in the video. Sweet quickly addressed these concerns, stating:
“The guys aren’t in the video because we just couldn’t make it happen with the time and budget we had… We tried to mix AI with human interaction to make it work. We didn’t want real actors… You can get cheesy very quickly. We didn’t even want to go there.”
While I understand some fans’ disappointment, I have to give credit to Sweet and the band for doing their best to deliver something new despite limitations. The way they incorporated AI into the video shows that Stryper isn’t afraid to experiment with modern technology, even if they have reservations about it. Sweet himself has expressed concerns about AI in music, saying that while he isn’t a huge fan, it can be useful when mixed with human creativity. Personally, I’ve explored these same concerns and opportunities with AI. While AI can be a powerful tool, it must remain a complement to human creativity—not a replacement. In my view, the heart of any artistic endeavor is driven by the human experience, and AI should only serve to enhance that, not dilute it.
What I’ve always appreciated about Stryper is their resilience in the face of adversity, both personal and professional. Take Oz Fox, Stryper’s guitarist, for example. Since being diagnosed with brain tumors in 2018, he’s faced numerous health battles, yet that hasn’t stopped the band from pushing forward. Even through these struggles, Stryper has continued to tour and create new music, a testament to their dedication and passion.
One thing I’ve always respected about Michael Sweet is his transparency. Over the years, he’s remained outspoken about his beliefs and thoughts, whether on music or broader social issues, and he’s never shied away from responding directly to fans. Though Sweet’s honesty sometimes verges on bluntness, I admire that he owns who he is. Unlike other celebrities who hide behind assistants on social media, Michael personally engages with his fans. There’s nothing more irritating than a public figure’s social media being run by someone else, and I give Sweet major props for always being real with his audience.
At the end of the day, this AI-assisted video for “Betrayed By Love” reflects Stryper’s ongoing transformation, their commitment to their message, and their desire to stay connected with the fans who’ve supported them for over 40 years. As Sweet said: “We work our butts off to bring you the best… We’re just grateful we’re still releasing new music, and some of you are still listening.” For those of us who’ve been on this journey with Stryper since the beginning, it’s exciting to see the band pushing boundaries while still staying true to the heart of what they do. Their transformation proves that Stryper’s passion hasn’t just aged; it’s evolved, much like the fans who’ve grown alongside them.
Got heavy music news or an album review request? Let’s talk Christian metal at heavensmetalseth@gmail.com. Connect with me on social media through SethMetoyer.com.