Search - Stryper :: Murder By Pride

STRYPER [Murder By Pride]

Kevin R. Davis | Perkasie, PA | 07/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1984, Stryper broke on to the scene with their debut EP Yellow and Black Attack, and have since gone on to sell 8 million albums and tour the world spreading an inspirational message through their branded sound of rock songs, heavy guitars, and pristine harmony vocals. The group's unprecedented 1986 album To Hell with the Devil went platinum and was named one of the "100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music" by CCM Magazine.



For me "Murder By Pride" is a great listen, definitely the best album I've heard by STRYPER since "To Hell With The Devil". In fact, having listened to both albums consistently recently, I have to give "Murder By Pride" the top billing as the best overall album by STRYPER. Opening track "Eclipse Of The Son" sets the tone nicely for this very solid album. If you liked 80's metal bands Poison, Guns N Roses and Whitesnake, then you'll be hooked right away by the great dual guitar solos and pulsing and catchy melodies of this entire album. Since those 80's metal bands have all recently attempted comeback albums, I'll also suggest that STRYPER has outdone all of them with "Murder By Pride".



"4 Leaf Clover" might be the signature song from this album. I am very impressed musically by the entire album, and especially by this song. It has a great driving rock beat and Michael Sweet's vocals have never sounded better. In 2008, Michael Sweet joined legendary band BOSTON on vocals and guitar Murder by Pride includes a great cover of the BOSTON song "Peace of Mind" that features BOSTON guitarist Tom Scholz on the recording.



"Alive" is a great ballad in the style of all-time STRYPER great song "Honestly". What's refreshing is that lyrically there is no doubt that the band is Christian as just about every song features a crying out to God, and at the end of "Alive" the painfully honest acknowledgment that God loves us unconditionally regardless of our doubts and loneliness. Michael recently lost his wife to cancer and this song brings out the emotional side of that painful experience. "After recently learning about how precious life is and how often we take for granted the time that we have here on earth, I realized that this tour may very well be the most important tour in the history of Stryper," says Michael Sweet. "Tim, Robert, Tracy, Oz and myself are all stepping out together to show the importance of unity and forgiveness and the only way to show this is to live it. We've been faced with challenges over the past 25 years but two things have remained certain within our hearts and within our lives - the power of God's love and the beauty of God's grace."



"The Plan" and title song "Murder By Pride" are thematically linked based on the concept of dying to the great sin of pride and living in God's will. "Murder By Pride" has a very convicting chorus: "Gotta fight, gotta stop living a lie, Gotta fall, gotta lay down and die, Gotta stand and run to the other side, Gotta live or it's Murder By Pride". The tempo slows down a bit with "I Believe", "Run In You" and "Love Is Why", however the flow is natural and allows you to really reflect on the answer to the questions of self-doubt raised earlier in the album, particularly in "Love Is Why", which includes a bridge based on the words of 1st Corinthians 13:4: "Love is patient, Love is kind". Also, the band's name STRYPER is based Isaiah 53:5 (KJV), "With His Stripes We Are Healed."



Closing songs "Everything" and the re-recording of "My Love (I'll Always Show)" from 1984's Yellow and Black Attack bring back the rock and ends like the album begins with Stryper's trademark blend of melodic vocals, heavy guitar licks and pounding drums.



For me, the standout songs are "4 Leaf Clover", "Peace of Mind", "Alive", "Murder By Pride", "I Believe", "Love Is Why" and "Everything" and I truly believe this is the best overall album by this legendary band."

SOLDIERS STILL IN COMMAND

Kevin Dobbs "dragonboots" | Perth Western Australia | 07/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being a huge fan of the 2005 comeback album "Reborn" and all of Stryper's earlier work I was excited to know another release was imminent. The band is celebrating 25 years with this release, so where does it sit alongside the legacy. Early listens suggest this is a sweet (no pun intended) blend of "Reborn" (the continued development in the song writing department) and "Soldiers Under Command" (the guitar work) which at times is from the 80's flash handbook. The band is tight and very focused. Opener "Eclipse of the Son" is almost punk in its approach, then the big harmonies drop in and you know it's simply the band rocking out and having a bit of fun. "4 Leaf Clover" arrives next and we are back in business. This one will please those followers from the early days being strictly metallic like those early albums were (albeit with awesome pop rock overtones).



"Peace of Mind" the cover of the Boston classic has been around for a while now and is the same version here as the downloadable one but it's well worth including on an album proper. A great song that was built on Brad Delp's (RIP) multi-layered vocals. Who better to do it proud justice than Michael Sweet? The sentiment of this song is never lost on me; when it feels like everything is getting you down you need to take a deep breath and check what is really important to you in life. Stryper are always the masters of the power ballad. Really I try to resist them every time, but somehow they get under my radar, this time the delightful "Alive" a cello and piano affair with a divine (I know, I know) vocal.



"The Plan" has an urgency and skips along and is capped by some nice flurries from Oz Fox and one of those trademark screams to cap it all off nicely. The title track "Murder By Pride" reminds me of Stryper's answer to "Friday on My Mind" by the Easybeats. I really could hear this on the glorious "To Hell" album as its Stryper at their very best. Raise those fists and chant along, or at least try not too.



"I Believe" blends a stripped acoustic guitar and bass interplay, flooded by smooth harmonies and crunchy electric guitar work in the chorus. A very nice song indeed possibly one of the most complete and mature songs delivered this round. That tradition continues with "Run In You" a meandering delight, successful because sometimes less is more. "Love Is Why" is going to be a favourite, phrasing wise it reminds me a lot of "All For One" from "Against The Law". I love that song so this will be one to enjoy for me.



Back to a heavier groove is "Mercy Over Blame" with a more direct vocal attack and a fierce guitar solo, very much back to the vintage Stryper sound of pre "In God We Trust". Second from last is "Everything" which has a massive hook and wouldn't sound out of place on a Fredriksen Denander release. Stryper can write great catchy metal and I for one don't think they get half the credit they deserve for doing so. Closer "My Love (I'll Always Show)"is a ramped up and restructured kicking version of the song of the same name from "The Yellow and Black Attack". Lyrically the same, musically unrecognisable, indeed for a few spins I didn't twig. But is it a better song as a result, well actually yes.



A very strong album again from the Soldiers Under Command, recommended to old and new fans alike."

Best new album by an 80's band

Big Hair Addict | Altoona, PA USA | 08/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stryper is rockin', I believe, better than ever. This release didn't have to grow on me, it engulfed me from the very start. It's really incredible. The album is a solid collection of hard rockin tunes. Not a filler among them. So many of the 80's metal groups have come out with new albums trying to capture the glory of days gone by. For the most part, they have done a decent job. Never quite reaching what they once had, but good efforts all around. Then we have Strypers album. Not only do they capture it, they surpass it. This album is far and above their best. When Michael said he listened to what the fans wanted, he truly did listen. It wasn't the typical self promoting hype that all bands spew. The guitars are everywhere. And his voice - Unbelievable!!! He's still hitting those high notes with ease. And isn't that what we long for? Bands from the past to reemerge today with relevance, yet keeping true to the sound that made us fans in the first place? We've had GnR, White Lion, Great White, Def Leppard, Europe, House of Lords, etc release some great and not so great releases. I love Europe's Secret Society, Def Lep's Sparkle Lounge, and House of Lords World Upside Down. They are all wicked awesome. I just think that Murder By Pride delivers a notch better. And I mean that without any malice toward the other bands. I love them all. But Stryper has more than delivered on the hype. I guess you either hate them or love them. If you were a fan back in the 80's, you will love Murder By Pride."