| Musical Style: Melodic Metal | Produced By: Ron Goudie & Stryper |
| Record Label: Enigma | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1984 | Artist Website: Stryper |
| Tracks: 6 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 24:22 |
In the burgeoning eighties ‘white metal’ scene, few bands managed to cultivate a legacy as long lasting and influential as Stryper. After all, the Orange County, California based four piece has sold in excess of 10 million records in having released fifteen studio albums, two live albums and three compilation albums dating to its early eighties inception. Of equal import if not more is the groups influence as the first Christian metal band to gain recognition in the mainstream music world, referencing its 1983 signing to major label Enigma Records and debut EP The Yellow And Black Attack to follow in the summer of 1984.
Album helped pave the way for the literal flood of ‘white metal’ bands that came out of the woodwork subsequent to its release and Stryper’s corresponding commercial success. Soon to be Enigma label mates Barren Cross and Guardian are first that come to mind, although other well known contemporaries including but not limited to Bloodgood, Bride, Deliverance, Messiah Prophet, Neon Cross, Saint, Sacred Warrior, Shout and Whitecross deserve no less regard. When also factoring labels of the time in Intense, Frontline, Pure Metal and Regency that sprung up to support such a high volume of acts, one cannot understate Stryper’s impact and influence.
My experience with Stryper traces to the first half of 1984 and a short write up in Campus Life magazine under the heading ‘In The Bound To Happen Sooner Or Later Department’ detailing a Christian metal band that emerged from the Los Angeles club scene and signed to mainstream label Enigma. A picture of the group in its yellow and black outfits and I was hooked! I placed an immediate order at a local independent music store once the release of The Yellow And Black Attack was announced- and I did not so much as drive but rather race to the shop upon receiving a call that the album was in stock!
To suggest on first listen I was blown away would be an understatement. Yes, the Christian rock scene up to that point had its share of fine moments - and I will always hold Resurrection Band, Barnabas, Daniel Band and Stronghold in high regard - but Stryper took things to the next level with its total package of showmanship, abundant musicianship, standout vocals and top notch eighties melodic metal and hard rock songwriting. Helping the group to stand apart further was manner in which it not so much was in tune with and did such a choice job musically capturing the spirit of the time but also imparted its faith based lyrical approach to the mainstream music world.
Making immediate impression in such regard is opener “Loud ‘N’ Clear”, with screaming feedback to start that gives way to metal doused guitar and we are off: the straight out of the LA clubs youthful energy and raw production combine to speak of the infectious. Likewise, the catchy ‘loud, clear, let the people hear. Scream, shout, show what it's all about’ refrain draws in at once. Instrumentally, Tim Gaines’ bass solo gives way to Oz Fox’ distorted lead guitar. It deserves note the signature explosion closing things out.
Another classic ensues in “From Wrong To Right”. With pace reining in to mid-paced territory, song established an imperiling climate as an opening high-octane falsetto and adverse vocal melodies to follow provide the exuberant tone. It is Michael Sweet’s professional vocals - at times high end and melodic and others lower register brimming - that help give the song its darker metal edge and set Stryper apart as a force to be reckoned. Lyric snippet:
I've changed my ways from wrong to right.
The devil never pays, no, he robs just like a thief in the night
So many bands give the devil all the glory
It's hard to understand, we want to change the story
We want to rock one way, on and on.
You'll see the light some day
All say Jesus is the way.
Whereas opening two cuts potentially fall under a straight on metal heading, “You Know What To Do” trends commercial melodic metal and hard rock. Open-air vocals to initiate, for instance, transitions to twin guitar harmonies and layered vocal melodies (a Stryper staple either way) as Sweet again shines with his impassioned vocal delivery. The duel lead guitar hints of things to come on 1985 full length follow up effort Soldiers Under Command. Lyric snippet:
You say you've go some troubles, yeah, oh so many downs.
You need a light to lift you off the ground.
And if your life feels senseless, just accept the Lord.
And He'll make you see things you never have seen before.
An everlasting life abounding, oh yeah.
Yes, He will and He's always giving more.
And His light will never stop shining, it's for you, yes it is.
“Co’mon Rock” revisits the energetic hooks to “Loud ‘N’ Clear”. Song unequivocally wears its metal burnishing on its sleeves, explosive to heavy-set rhythm guitar - do I detect a hint of classic metal? - but also arresting as the vibrant refrain continuously repeating ‘Co'mon rock, rock, rock Co'mon never stop’ refuses to go away. Further emboldening the outspoken vivacity is Robert Sweet’s at times technical and others heavy footed timekeeping.
Back to melodic territory with “You Won’t Be Lonely”. What we have is closest any of albums material comes to a ballad, with its acoustic guitar and lighter guitar tones combining for a melodic hard rock meets AOR basis. While by no means bad and not skip worthy, it is also my least favorite of the six songs. Perhaps with an added burst of energy or guitar driven verve, I might better identify with it. The ‘rock’ version to “My Love I’ll Always Show” (off The Roxx Regime Demos from 2008) might have made the better choice.
The Yellow And Black Attack recaptures the high energy form on closer “Loving You”. The trademark Stryper polished vocal melodies get things going ahead of unabashed rhythm guitar, the buoyant spirit and staggering incentive to ensue collaborating with prominent commercial weavings to speak of the heavy and melodic. Twin guitar harmonies and duel lead guitar return to command things instrumentally. Lyric snippet:
I was so confused, not knowing what to do with myself.
I was being used, blinded I was headed for hell.
Then God saved me, pulled me from the heat.
It's always on my mind.
What a blessing that was sent to me.
Together we will shine and...
I'm loving you.
Stryper may not have been the first Christian heavy metal band or even the first Christian band to record a heavy metal album. Nevertheless, I do not think I am out of line to suggest (again) that they were the first to put together the entire package of musicianship, songwriting, vocals, production and showmanship. Within that context, The Yellow And Black Attack stands the test of time as nothing less than groundbreaking, particularly in light of the as noted flood of ‘white metal’ bands soon to follow not to mention labels playing a supporting role.
In 1986, Enigma Records came up with the brilliant idea of re-mixing The Yellow And Black Attack and re-issuing it with two bonus tracks and different cover art. Result is a watered-down, more commercial and much less attractive rendition to the original. Listen to each version side by side and you will notice a striking difference: rhythm guitar loses much of its edge and distortion while explosion closing “Loud ‘N Clear” is neutered, with gist a high level of energy drained from the bands performance. Bonus tracks include the keyboard ballad version to “My Love I’ll Always Show” and “Reason For The Season”, which previously had been released as a 12” single and 7” picture disc. Far as I can tell, the original mix to The Yellow And Black Attack has never been officially released on CD- it remains at or near the top of most lists of eighties metal albums that deserve a CD reissue.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "Loud ‘N’ Clear" (3:38), "From Wrong To Right" (3:52), "You Know What To Do" (4:58), "Co’Mon Rock" (3:49), "You Won’t Be Lonely" (3:47), "Loving You" (4:18)
Musicians
Michael Sweet - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Oz Fox - Guitars
Tim Gaines - Bass & Keyboards
Robert Sweet - Drums
