Christianity: Details about 'Stryper'
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Stryper is a Christian metal band from Orange County, California, USA. Formed in 1983, they are considered to be pioneers in the popularization of Christian rock music. Stryper enjoyed mainstream success during the late 1980s, before breaking up in the early 1990s. However, Stryper reunited in 2003 and are making a comeback in the Christian music world. The name Stryper derives from a Bible verse, Isaiah 53:5: But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we are healed. In addition, the band's name has been said to stand for: SalvationThroughRedemption,YieldingPeace,Encouragement,andRighteousness
HistoryFoundation and mainstream successStryper was originally known as the Roxx Regime and comprised brothers Michael (lead vocals and guitar) and Robert Sweet (drums) and Oz Fox on lead guitar. The name Stryper was adopted when bassist Tim Gaines joined the band. The band debuted with the EP The Yellow and Black Attack on July 10, 1984. During this period, Stryper opened for bands like Ratt and Bon Jovi, leading some music critics to claim that they were not a true Christian band. Their debut full album, Soldiers Under Command released on May 15, 1985, went gold (at least 500,000 copies sold), and The Yellow and Black Attack was re-released as their second album in August 10, 1986. With 2 songs added and a different cover. Stryper's third album, To Hell with the Devil (October 24, 1986) went platinum (over one million copies sold) and would become their biggest-selling release. The ballad "Free" and "Honestly" were both big mtv hits throughout 1987. Plus "Honestly" did well in the music charts and became their trademark song. Bassist Tim Gaines did not participate in the recording of this album, and for a period of time prior to the release of the record he was replaced by another bass player, Matt Hurich. However, when the promotional photos for the album were being shot, Gaines decided to return to the band and participated in its successful world tour. Their next album, In God We Trust, released on June 28, 1988, also went gold, and the song "Always There for You" obtained mainstream success. However, the sound of the album was softer than their previous releases and the majority of the songs were considered to be over-produced. The image of the band was becoming closer to the glam rock image of the era, and some members of the fan base were critical of this. As with the previous album, Tim Gaines did not participate in the recording of In God We Trust, but rejoined the group for another world tour. DeclineOn August 21, 1990 they released the controversial Against the Law, which drastically changed the band's image and message. While their earlier albums all had yellow and black colors in the covers and the lyrics spoke of God and salvation, Against the Law featured the band with black leather clothes and with no mention of the word God in it. The sound was also heavier, closer to classic metal. Drummer Robert Sweet said that the change of image and sound was in response to the criticism of the previous album and an attempt to leave behind their hair metal image. But the band's original fan base claimed that they were not being true to their roots, and the album sold poorly. However, music critics considered the album to be Stryper's best musical production of their careers. On July 20, 1991 they released a greatest hits collection called Can't Stop the Rock, which featured two new songs. The band continued to tour until 1992, when frontman Michael Sweet departed the band in order to pursue a solo career. The group continued as a trio for several European dates, with Oz Fox doing lead vocals. However, upon returning to the United States, the remaining members decided to go their separate ways. Oz Fox and Tim Gaines formed their own band, Sindizzy, which recorded an album (He's Not Dead) (1998). Michael Sweet released four solo albums which performed well in the Christian music world. Drummer Robert Sweet played in several bands, among them Blissed, who released an album in 2002. ReunionThe former members of Stryper first reunited in 1999, when Michael Sweet and Sindizzy were invited to play at a summer rock festival in Puerto Rico. As an encore, Sweet joined Oz Fox and Tim Gaines on stage and played several Stryper songs. Later, in 2000, the first Stryper Expo was held in New Jersey, and for the first time in 8 years the complete line-up of Stryper took the stage. That same year, a concert was held in Costa Rica at which the four members played together. A second Stryper Expo took place in Los Angeles in 2001. When Hollywood Records asked the former members of Stryper to record tracks for a new greatest hits compilation in 2003, the four members decided to go on a North American reunion tour in support of the compilation, titled Seven: the Best of Stryper. The band played 36 shows in the United States and finished the tour in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A live album, titled 7 Weeks: Live in America, 2003, was released on May 18, 2004 and the concert in Puerto Rico was recorded for a DVD. However, that show in Puerto Rico proved to be the last for the original line-up of Stryper. In the fall of 2004, the Sweet brothers and Oz Fox decided to enter the studio to record a new Stryper album. However, bassist Tim Gaines had no interest in continuing in the band, and decided to quit. He was replaced by Tracy Ferrie, long-time bass player for Michael Sweet's solo band. The new album, titled Reborn, was released on August 16, 2005. This was Stryper's first recording of original material in 15 years. The groups went a tour to promote the record during the fall of 2005. Their new album received a positive response from fans and critics, who labeled it "one of the best albums of 2005" . With a more modern sound, and fewer guitar solos, Reborn modifies their style, while keeping the Stryper identity. Its lyrics return to the themes of God and salvation which had been temporarily abandoned for Against the Law. LegacyStryper is recognized as the first openly Christian heavy metal band to gain recognition in the mainstream music world. Their hit ballad "Honestly" is often ranked among the greatest ballads of the 1980s. Their message of salvation and religion has also made them popular with some elements of the media. However, Stryper has not been free of controversy. Many conservative religious groups criticized the group for being members of the heavy metal industry, which some of them saw as being close to satanic music. Many of their peers in the metal music world recognized them as a great musical group, but some argued that their message was incompatible with heavy metal. In fact, this argument is generally used in pop culture when referring to the music of Stryper. Current members
Past members
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