“Do Unto Others” continues with great guitar work (and perfect tone) and powerful, aggressive drumming it’s refreshing to hear Sweet and longtime band member and lead guitarist Oz Fox complement and support each other in the true power-metal way, exchanging solos and laying down rhythms for each other, another hallmark of the genre and classic Stryper. It’s been 36 years since the band’s first release, but, as the album progresses, it realizes its place as consummate Stryper with the added sweetener of aggression. Notwithstanding, the vocals bring melody that serves the tune well, a strong reminder that vocalist and guitarist Michael Sweet can shred both guitar and his vocal cords effectively. The lead-off track, “Blood from Above,” sets the tone appropriately the tempo and vibe on the second track, “Make Love Great Again,” sets the stage even deeper, adding even more sound to the wall. Layered with keyboards, BGVs, and dual guitar fills galore, it’s an album that demands to be played loud. While there is always room for those wimpy power ballads and melodic pop-metal choruses Stryper has come to be known for, Even the Devil allows listeners to appreciate the high-energy heaviness, dominating power chords, and open-string bombastic resonation Stryper has come to excel at, the things that Ritchie Blackmore and Tony Iommi unleashed upon the earth back at the start of the Me Decade. Hell, he probably figured that out back in 1984, but this album, Stryper’s thirteenth studio album among their illustrious 35-plus year career, is a serious metal onslaught that has everything those testosterone-filled Stryper fans have been demanding for decades. They say that even “the devils also believe” that Jesus is God, the ultimate authority figure, and the Creator of all things – and, maybe now, he’ll also believe that Stryper is the ultimate power metal band and shudder.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |