STRYPER
REBORN
(2005 Big 3 Records)
TRACKS:
1. Open Your Eyes
2. Reborn (Radio Single)
3. When Did I See You Cry
4. Make You Mine
5. Passion
6. Live Again
7. If I Die
8. Wait For You
9. Rain
10. 10,000 Years (Amazing Grace)
11. I.G.W.T.
(New Version)
DESCRIPTION:
Reborn, Stryper's ninth career disc
and premier release on Big3 Records,
features a cavalcade of high-voltage
arrangements that showcase the band's
richly melodic vocals, deft instrumentation
and powerful themes. In addition, the
disc proficiently melds the group's
standard intensely tuneful style with
edgy hard rock influences. The net
effect: An 11-track set demanding reverence,
repeated spins and a volume level that
is cranked full-on.
Produced
by Michael Sweet and Kenny Lewis
(who collaborated
with Sweet
on several solo projects), Reborn debuts
entirely new material, with two bonus
songs—a Stryperized version of "Amazing
Grace" re-titled "10,000
Years" and an updated rendition
of the group's classic track "In
God We Trust" — that should
rouse both longtime and new fans alike.
Beyond
the core theme of renewal, Reborn
embraces subjects
like forgiveness
("If I Die"), God's patience
("Wait for You") and true
enlightenment ("Open Your Eyes").
One hard-driving song in particular, "When
Did I See You Cry," conveys the
reality that God can move in anyone's
life, whether homeless, addicted to
drugs or simply wandering. "The
power of God is alive, but we often
miss it," Sweet asserts. "We
see opportunities to share the gospel,
but we are so caught up in other things
of life that we get sidetracked."
Stryper has dealt with its share of
sidetracks and difficulties over the
years. From its origin as Roxx Regime,
a garage outfit from Orange County,
California, the band persevered as
they hammered out a name and a reputation
in the gritty Los Angeles club circuit.
The hard work paid off in 1984 when
the quartet inked a deal with Enigma
Records and released debut mini-album
The Yellow and Black Attack.
As
the first Christian rock band to
enjoy any decided success
in the mainstream
market, Stryper went on to sell more
than 8 million records worldwide. The
group's RIAA certified platinum 1986
release To Hell with the Devil was
selected as one of the "100 Greatest
Albums in Christian Music" by
CCM Magazine. The project also generated
the Billboard Top 40 hit "Honestly," which
peaked at #23.
Two other albums struck RIAA gold:
Soldiers Under Command (1985) and In
God We Trust (1988), both spending
numerous weeks on the Billboard 200
album chart.
One of the most electrifying stage
acts from the 1980s, Stryper garnered
heavy airplay on MTV and VH1. The band
also received notable coverage in Rolling
Stone, Time, Spin, Newsweek and numerous
other publications, cementing their
legacy as the iconoclasts of pop-metal.
Fittingly,
Stryper should be in for a deluge
of renewed
exposure and acclaim.
But Michael Sweet would just as soon
turn the spotlight on someone else. "The
one theme that is woven into every
song on our new album is this: Look
to Jesus," he says adamantly. "Some
people may get tired of hearing this,
but we feel God has called us to share
the message of Christ's love, mercy
and grace. He's always there no matter
what, and that's what we will proclaim
until we die."
