I had a friend, who is not living anymore, who played in a metal band called Hammer Hand, which opened for Stryper, said that the guys in Stryper Lived their Christianity. They didn't hang around for afterparties or mess with the groupies. They were faithful to wives, GFs, or fiancés and left to get home or to the hotel to pray and unwind, after an appropriate round of glad-handing with fans and ministry to true seekers.
As a devout Christian, and huge Stryper fan, I would like to thank you for doing this particular episode, my friend. I love your channel because you speak from the heart (which is a rare quality these days). It is also cool that celebrities like Chris Jericho and Larry the Cable Guy have also long been fans of the band. I remember I had tickets to go see them with my friend, and had to have surgery, so I had to give my ticket to my brother. I was devastated. God bless you, Razor. Keep up the incredible work, my friend. God bless Rob Halford, as well. For being the living legend that he is, this man is more sweet, genuine, and humble than a lot of guys who have no business being arrogant.
When I was a kid, my grandfather was a Baptist preacher. He used to take me around the country to different churches for camp meetings where he would preach. At one of these, there was an evangelist who had a slide show, where he pontificated on the evils of the rock and roll while showing slides. I was maybe 12 at this time. My grandpa thought it was great, until the guy showed a slide of Johnny Cash, and said that the reason he dressed in black was because he secretly worshipped the devil. I heard my grandpa squirming in his seat and grumbling under his breath, "Well, I don't know about that..." I still laugh about that to this day
Interesting perspective. I guess all people hold a biased POV of the things they hold sacred. And that isn't a knock on your grandpa or any other person. It is just my opinion.
Psalm 150: "3 Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise Him with timbrel and dancing, *praise Him with the strings* and pipe, 5 *praise Him with the clash of cymbals,* *praise Him with resounding cymbals."* Emphasis added ofc. God said "LET THERE BE POWER METAL," and He saw that it was awesome.
Jesus always was, and always will be *the spirit of rebellion* ... The church wants you in your place. Kneel, stand, sit, kneel. If ya go for that kinda thing, I don't know what to tell you.
I have to say you make a good point. To often rebellion is attributed to the beast. Modern christianity promotes passivity to the point of being walked on. Rather than trampling on what's genuinely evil.
Stryper had more balls than anybody else back in the day. Many Christians were more offended by Stryper than secular bands. Religion aside, their riffs were excellent.
*Stryper are a great band.* I'm not religious, but I'm glad for my born again friend Brian who introduced me to them back in '88 when we were both way too young to be so wild. He was approaching Nikki Sixx levels of addiction when "god" (yeah I'm still skeptical af xP) spoke to him through his acid trip and told him to get help or he'd die like his friend, who was alive and well a few hours earlier. As soon as Brian was sober enough to deal with people, he went to check on his friend, who had just been found dead of an overdose, and carried away in an ambulance. Unfortunately 'god' also told him that his hot mess of a self would have to refuse one last temptation, which turned out to be my horny underage thang lol. So we never did hook up, but he lived and kicked cold turkey, and went to work at a street outreach centre that specialized in troubled youth. My friend and his street mission saved my ass a few times, and I eventually came around and went back to school, so it all worked out for the best. I'm still not a Xtian, but I'm a life long fan of the band \m/
Good, clean Xtian living has also kept them fit enough to keep performing through their middle years. Sweet's voice is still gorgeous after all this time. Very few of the dope fiend rock stars from the 80s were so lucky, except for maybe Slash, Keith and Ozzy. Blood transfusions? Or did the booze and dope have a pickling effect on those 3 or smthg? lol
When I was in elementary school my Christian parents said, 'No, you cannot listen to heavy metal! ' Then God said, 'Let there be Stryper! ' And it was good.
@@nighttigercomics7323 Yes. I prefer Stryper's post-Dio compilations, actually. The same and better music, but often with much more subtle Xtian elements in their narratives. They could be singing about any challenge that gets people inspired, god or no god. Now that they've all been married for decades, their love songs have also grown up :) And yeah. I just coined the term. *Dio age metal* and *post-Dio metal.* Like pre-Kantian and post-Kantian philosophy. Well... maybe just post-Dio as in after Dio died, not "post" as the prefix is used by philosophers :) Anyway... If Rage wants to quote me he'll have to give me a nod and some free metal goodies for it xP
As a traditionalist-leaning Catholic who consumes more black-metal than the entire nation of Norway, your odds of offending me are slim to none. Great content, keep it up.
There are worship bands of every caliber. From R&B and Rap to Metal and Pop to Ska and Punk, and so on. Something for everyone. That’s what the Good Lord intended for us; to extend the message to others, no matter the format. God is universal like music 👍🙏
Been listening to Stryper because of this mythos and the haters can eat a box of cocklates, Stryper rocks. Killer guitar riffs and great vocals and they still sound good today.
Stryper saved my life as a confused teen. their positive message got me thru some of the hardest times in them turbulent teen yrs. taught me it was ok to feel and how to deal. I'm sure I am one of a million stories of lives changed or saved during hard times. I have not listened to them in yrs because of memories but I bought the reborn again album when it dropped. this effort one of my top metal favorites of all time. At 46 yrs of age, it all comes full circle and I'm back to say thank you Stryper and thank you for this fantastic video best documentary on Stryper period! Kick ASS! FYI i loved I believe in you lol
The problem is that most of the bands that followed Stryper sucked. There were a few bands, like Bloodgood, the first Holy Soldier record, etc that were decent.
@@timbrown6629 Guardian was good too...esp fire and love and miracle mile. They also did a cover of the yellow and black attack. there were more decent bands...but most are unknown. Believer would be an exception as well as Galactic Cowboys
There are a lot of fairly good Christian '90s extreme metal bands, almost all of which have faded into almost total obscurity. Stuff like Paeramecium, Encryptor; to a lesser extent Antestor and Mortification. They're not all _fantastic_ but definitely good enough it's odd they're some of the most forgotten bands of that era.
Stryper is my favorite Christian band PERIOD. They're great musicians and great people. There's no other band in the world I know that throws bibles to the audience. God bless this incredible band!
One thing I've noticed is that, a lot of "metalheads" seem to hate Stryper. For 2 reasons: Their look, and, Their faith. But, one thing that makes them really special is that those guys are Excellent musicians. Michael Sweet is not only an amazing singer. He is also, an amazing guitarist as well very talented. Oz Fox a very underrated 80s guitar hero. Him and Michael have/had a kick ass guitar tone. And, could give Glenn Tipton and KK Downing a run for their money. Robert Sweet a really great drummer and very entertaining to watch. And, Tim Gaines has master skills on the bass guitar. But, sadly most of the metal community don't really care about the music, or melody. But mostly, about: "how heavy", "how fast", "how brutal", and, tend to crap on other bands because of how different they are. Whatever the case may be, Stryper could outplay other bands in the 80s and maybe they still can. Stryper is a great band either you like it or not.!!!!!!
Jorge, even Oz himself was saying how all his riffs were sounding bland and the same so he enlisted the help of a buddy Tony Palacios to help him broaden his style. Tony plays for Guardian, another under-appreciated Christian rock band.
@@media696 Not really. Scott Stapp just became a Christian a few years ago. Wrote a biography on his rode to Faith. He probably read a Bible a time or two and wrote a couple good songs with vague Christian ideas. Stryper was awesome. Some songs were cheesy.
Years back I watched an episode of That Metal Show with guests Michael Sweet, Tracii Guns, and Jani Lane. Firstly, Michael looked great for his age. Clearly living clean was suiting him quite well in these later decades in comparison to how Tracii and Jani looked (RIP Jani). The praise that Jani heaped on Stryper during this interview was amazing. What stood out was him talking about how Warrant could do maybe a short bit of riffing two guitars in harmony, but Stryper did this all the time and he was floored by their guitar chops. Prior to hearing this I hadn't really thought about it too much, but relistening to Stryper songs it was a very prevalent signature they used in so much of their music. Now Michael is releasing side projects with Tracii. Crazy world!
I was fortunate enough to be at the listening party for murder by pride in Nashville in 09. It was bitter sweet as Michael shared about the recent loss of his wife and the music about her to a small room of about 20 of us or so. I got to chat with him briefly after and I’ll never forget him looking me dead in the eye saying “we will” after I encouraged him to keep going. A real tender guy who has been through a lot. But one of the most sincere interactions I’ve ever had with a classic music industry personality.
Gee, I got my first Bible at a church. They then proceeded to teach me what the books said, why they were in that order, and the history since the last ones were written...
One middle-aged pastor at my church offhandedly mentioned that he listens to Stryper and even had an album on hand to present briefly during a service. Awesome.
As a Christian who listened to Stryper in my teens, I found your candid and unbiased review of the band and their music very entertaining, thanks! Makes me think I should go back and give the new stuff another listen, even though my music taste has changed a lot. I would love if you could do a Metal Mythos feature on Tourniquet some time.
@@slamdancer1720 I agree! I honestly find it more entertaining than God Damn Evil but mainly because the sound in NMHTP is... "Balanced..." (For lack of a better way of describing it 😂) It's melodic enough to think of Stryper's golden days but also having enough heavy elements to keep your head banging (or in my case noding). GDE has some great songs in it but not enough to knock NMHTP off its stool.
@@nameeman5051 I mean when reading, studying and researching Gods Word, it is obvious such music is not God-based, and I mean it doesn't represent nor does it reflect the theme and moral of The Bible. How is there humility and meekness in such music? There isn't, and since they would not have been popular had they mentioned Jesus Christ and Jehovah by name they left that out to please the overall masses and doing so one distances themselves from God and pushes others away from learning about Gods sovereignty. I agree that their music was uplifting and encouraging, but it was Not Christian.
@@markuse3472 Stryper aside, I'm not a fan, but... what chord progressions are acceptable? What sequence of notes? Are any particular rhythms within the guidelines? What instruments fit the parameters? What tones are said instruments allowed to emit? What time signatures are allowed ? What level of skill is allowed?polyrhythms for example... is an artist allowed to train to a point where technical proficiency exhibits a masterpiece of notes, chords, timing, rhythm & beat? Is volume and/or intensity an issue ? The reason I ask about intensity is because if I were to write a score for David killing Goliath I'm not sure it would sound like spring flowers, fluffy clouds and sparkling sunshine.
@@nameeman5051 A good writer is able to write anything and make it stand out. If the movie "The Insider" had been written or done in the 1960's, it would likely not have had any swearing in it and it would still have been a Great film. The movie "Wild Things" would have been a great movie without the vulgarity and sexual content because it was a Good story, but people as you would say both of the movies I mentioned needed to be as they are or they would not be as good. Only a feeble person would not recognize "Toccata Con Fuga" or "Carmina Burana" as a darker feel, mode and tone to them than many other classical pieces.
Devout Christian here who doesn't care much for foul language.......but I frickin LOVE your videos and what you have to say! So no worries there. Don't change a thing! True story: I put a group together to play a couple songs for a praise and worship event at a predominantly black church that was very steeped in "black gospel" So we tossed them a bone with a medley of gospel stuff, but for some insane reason for our other song we decided to do "To Hell with the Devil" We were expecting to get run out of there and never be asked to come back. Well, when the dust settled from the wailing high note at the end of the song, for what felt like a full 5 seconds you could hear a pin drop and I thought, "man, we're toast", but then they suddenly erupted into the loudest standing O I'd ever gotten, shouting "Amen!" and "Halleluia!", etc. Now every year they when they invite us I'm always asked, "Are you guys gonna do To Hell With the Devil?" Too bad I developed singer's nodes and have a difficult time pulling this one off these days :(
@WhoDarestheMAN gamer so are imaginary people living in the clouds that help your favorite sports team win. As are talking snakes and people living to be 900 years old.
Hilarious that you mentioned Swaggert's controversy in 1988, when he was running around badmouthing Stryper a few years earlier. Stryper was bringing The Message to the masses, packaged as heavy metal Christian rock, and Swaggert was too heavily involved with hookers to bother even noticing that. Stryper kicked ass in the genre, and Michael Sweet's vocal range is phenomenal.
I saw the actual sermon on tv in 1988 & remember my Dad asking "Don't you have that album?" He was old school but didn't see anything wrong with it,& sad Jimmy was full of shit😂
The evangelicals of the 80s had the exact same issues the soy-swilling concern-trolls of today have; they're more interested in preaching their own praises to the choir than they are with actually saying anything worth believing in.
@@kungfuman82 Agree with the sentiment, but I think I'd put it as "different people, same religion", the worship of the self. Don't let this fallen world get you down. Love, Peace and God Bless.
When my uncle sent me a link to this video, I felt my eyes roll to the back of my head, as he's always forwarding Stryper-related things my way (in fact, I can see his obsessive comment below). To my surprise, I found this video to be quite informative, thorough, and entertaining. I can say that by the end of it, I've become more appreciative of the band's efforts to thrive in the midst of adversity throughout their musical career. Video creator, you've done some good work here. I like your style. I'm due to check out more of your content. Cheers!
Its crazy, i just happened to come across these guys the other day. I've been watching Razor for years, and his video today definitely makes makes me glad i came back to my faith. As a Catholic I dont care how you personally worship, i love 80s metal and Stryper is my new favorite band ever.
Razor you fucking just destroyed a WALL that had been in many of our minds regarding this band and respect many of us must stop withholding from them. They're no longer a guilty pleasure because we shouldn't have felt guilty to openly supporting them in the first place, especially now. I don't listen to all their stuff but to the most staunch Slayer fan, I say this: even the most cringingly Christian lyric in their discography is surrounded with so much power, melody, crunch and groove comming from the intruments that Stryper can hang with the best of them musically. Everybody can drop the bullshit TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL is a criminally underrated METAL MASTERPIECE.
Yep! Agreed. I remember listening to it back in the 80's when it came out, and it still rocks, and I instantly remembered and sang along in this video. And I'm an atheist ;) Sometimes, the message, the look, the attitude or some other weird shit (and every artist has one) that we don't like and makes us cringe, overshadows the core of it all: the music!
Make that *three!* Edit: at the time of writing, they have released eighteen more albums and counting, now let's hear from Erin Andrews at the scene, Erin?
Capt Char Mine does! On Thursday nights the 18-30 group get together and watch videos and eat. Not the typical stuff like Petra (ugh...) Last week, it was all Johnny Cash, and egg roll casserole which is much better than it sounds. But there's definitely been some Stryper.
Christian: Wow Razor, I had no idea you liked Stryper. So what's your favorite band? Razorfist: Bathory Christian: *physically explodes* I jest of course.
I am a Christian Conservative and I like Bathory. The Satanic crap is just teens rebelling against what was at the time the establishment and nothing more. I think any satan shit is not to be taken seriously
Quorthon even later stated that the satanic stuff was boring. It's one of those things with most black metal the young start super satanic, but if they stick in the genre they evolve lyrically a lot to something dark, but not longer satanic except for Varg who is the biggest fucking edgelord to ever edge.
Got teary eyed watching this. Soldiers under command hit my lonely depressed sophomore in high school psyche like a freight train. Hitting close to home here. Great shit, fist. My compliments.
Kerry Livgren from Kansas is also a Christian. One or two of the other guys in Kansas are also Christians - John Elephante comes to mind; but there was someone else, too.
I think what Stryper accomplished back then was proof, despite the Christian label, they could still be successful. Plus there were lots of Christian kids back then that liked heavy metal. Heavy Metal was branded devils music by everyone. But the generation that grew up with rock liked this style. I remember kids that were not Christian that liked Stryper. If you were a rocker and the band rocked that is what mattered. I remember thinking most of rock was an act. I didn't think many of them were Satanists. Of course being older now being around the entertainment industry, I know a little different. But when you were kid it all seemed so cool. Better than much of the crap we have out today.
Completely agree, Mr. Rick Valentino. I was one of those kids. Personally, I'm thankful Stryper and others that followed gave me something to listen to.
I'm a former atheist and this song is for you: Stryper - From Wrong to Right (1984) ua-cam.com/video/SqhPVWPllY4/v-deo.html 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 [Chorus] We want to rock one way, on and on. You'll see the light some day All say Jesus is the way. [Verse 2] Satan is a fool and it's so insane. Some people think he's cool, you play with fire, You'll feel the pain. Why lose when you could win? Give God a try. The devil's not your friend, the truth is not a lie. I've changed my ways from wrong to wright Evil never pays, no, the truth is not a lie. [Repeat Chorus]
For me the lyrics ruin it. I cant stand to hear anybody going on about their religion. I really think people should keep that to themselves. I dont want hear it. Its everywhere already and it makes me sick. The US is a tax free haven for this kind of sickness. So my message in response to theirs is Fuck religion and fuck stryper.
Every religious rock band today from Thousand Foot Krutch to Third Day owe a debt to Stryper for kicking down the doors for religion in rock.. I remember people protesting outside their concerts, nowadays these bands play in churches now but when I was growing up listening to Stryper the churches never missed a chance to bash them.
@@infinity.8 Christianity is not a religion either. Its a relationship and there is a 180 degree PHYSICAL difference between Christianity and religion.
Wasnt there a WASP and Stryper tour? They were under the same label for a while...would have been nice to have seen meat and bibles on the floor after a throw down of that magnitude.
I saw W.A.S.P at a small club in my area in California in the late '90s and their sound was so powerful they nearly tore the roof off. I had not been a big fan of theirs in the '80s (I was more into Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Rush, Black Sabbath, etc.), but I did enjoy their great show.
They were tight as any band of the era. They rocked out . Seen them multiple times. Also they wanted to worship and didn't want anyone to tell them how they should do it . That's rebel as hell to me. They had all odds against them . Their peers didn't want them and the Christian artists didn't want them and they still rocked it out . I am actually proud of them .
I got saved a few years ago and before that, always loved power metal but never gave this band a shot. Man, have I been missing out. Thank you for the education
Thank you for this. I am a Christian and have been a Stryper fan since the mid-80s. Your perspective is a breath of fresh air. Stryper may be the most underrated and misunderstood band in metal.
@@blind_channel_fp 😂👍👍👍 I turn 58 on Wednesday. You're young enough to be my grandchild. In fact, I have a 14 year old grandson. The 80's rocked. I Love STRYPER
Thank you for making this! You do a wonderful job seeing every side surrounding this band. It's very impressive and a breath of fresh air. Having seen these guys as a 6 year old in 1988, this definitely brought me back, and I'll be checking out more of the newer (and some of the older) stuff with a big smile. It also made me respect them more -- me being a musician, metal and music lover, and especially Christian. It's cool to see their integrity and humility. Your video editing, overall delivery of everything and all the humor are great. This was very well done. I can't believe I watched the entire 52 and a half minutes. Seriously I only planned to watch a few mins before bedtime. I'll be checking out more of your channel. Thanks again.
"Fallen" blew my mind. Buncha old dudes bringing it like the Class of '86? Check! Giving a sense of morality to an audience hungry for it? Fuckin' CHECK. Brutality with an understanding for mortality? Check. Michael and Robert are icons of Rock
My first concert, at 8 years old was a Christian metal band called Petra on their This Means war tour. My mother had recently joined the born again crew and was caught up in the madness of the whole thing. At the time I was obsessed with Motley Crue but going to an actual concert was so exciting to me. The guy that brought me was a younger member of the church who rocked the feathered hairstyle of the day and drove a busted to shit Iroc Z and he was cool as hell to a kid like me. I was so weirded out at the actual show though, because there were all these metal heads walking down the aisle screaming "Praise God!" and "Jesus Rocks!" which made things not as dangerous or exciting as I'd always pictured a metal show. Still, for a first show I went home with a huge smile and a lifelong love of music. I wish I still had the This Means War pin.
As a Black American, I always wished I could be in a hard rock band like Stryper!!! I followed this great iconic band from the 80s. Not sure how they would receive us Black Americans,but I'm sure a fan of theirs! Best wishes to you guys. Hope you guys jam your way to the history books.
Two words, sir: "Killswitch Engage." Amazing metal band and the lead vocalist is black. Their cover of Holy Diver is as good as if not better than Dio. Race is not a barrier here.
As a Christian, I think you did a really good job with this. Of course, lingo notwithstanding. But you’re Rageaholic! And I appreciate your honesty and how much you really do love music. Also as a Christian, I hope you don’t get mad if you say I’ll pray for you…not against you. Much love, Razorfist! I’d call you friend any day and consider myself richer. God bless, my man!
He definitely has an extensive vocabulary and is a Gifted Talent. Those are gifts from God and unfortunately, they will not get Razor to heaven. He needs to (as all who will be in heaven must), trust in the substitutionary life, punishment and death of Jesus Christ Alone. Nobody but Christ is Worthy, and that is why we must trust in Him Alone.
Me before this video: Christian metal? LOLOLOL Me after this video: HOLY SHIT THIS IS AWESOME WHY CAN'T I STOP LISTENING Thanks Razor, I don't think I'd have ever given these guys a closer look if it weren't for you, and I'm glad I did!
The funny thing is that the genre of Rock and even Metal all have an origin in the Baptist church. Specifically the Southern Baptist Church and how prayer through song became a massive thing within that branch of Christianity. Going all the way back to Elvish he made it clear that his roots were in church gospel music that then led him to make some of the most wholesome and addictive blues, jazz, and swing music that you can listen to: things like blues, jazz, and swing all were seen as the "Devils music" when they came to the front of music even though all of them had there literal roots in Southern Baptist Church. Calling STRYPER demonic is like calling DOOM demonic even though you are literally a raging man hellbent on destroying hell.
One of my friends borrowed my Stryper tape and was listening to it for a week and then I told him it was Christian. We had to scrape his head off the walls.
I'm a Christian who was born again right around the time Soldiers Under Command came out. The swearing aside, you expressed your big like for Stryper well in your own way Rageaholic. I loved your praise for my favorite band man. Good work.
As a person of faith, and in defense of Stryper and heavy metal, just consider this: Mozart, Beethoven, Paganini, etc, were all the Eddie Van Halens of their day. Not only that, they often lived like they were members of Motley Crue, especially Mozart. I've always loved to see the raised eyebrows of the snobs who HATE it when I point this out in conversations. They never see it coming and they have no response to it.
This is true. A lot of people just don’t understand people like Bach were considered rebels because he played it his way and did what he wanted, completely against the expected musical norms of the church. Was warned many times to fall in line, or else.. Different times but same levels of rebellion 🔥
This is why my number one, ‘Make-A-Wish Foundation’ request is to hang out with Raz0rfist in a diner from midnight till dawn just BSing for HOURS about all the shit I agree with him on! I’ve seen Stryper 15 times live and am dying for another 15! My first Stryper album was ‘Soldiers Under Command’ and my first show was off the same tour at Webster Hall in the East Village of NYC back in 1985! Thank you Mr. Raz0rfist for taking the time to make this magnificent video.
My first time learning about razorfist. What an insightful review and Incredibly Humane and introspective series of comments. Thanks for something unique and valuable on UA-cam.
Appreciate the fairness to Stryper's greatness, Razor. You'll probably get a ton of shit from Atheists for this vid, but to hell with them. Stryper is awesome.
Why would he get shit from atheists? I'm an atheist, I think Stryper has a lot of talent and I like a good few of their songs. Being an atheist doesn't mean you take offense to someone liking something created by Christians or to Christians themselves. It simply means you reject their supernatural claims. This kind of peremptory proclamation is the reason that some atheists are militant (well, that and growing up being told you're evil and deserve eternal torture because you couldn't believe what was handed to you)
I'm an atheist but that's not why I didn't get into Stryper. They were just another hair metal band to me. Quite talented and all but I didn't listen to Warrant either. Their religion seemed as forced and campy to me as the pretend satanism other bands used and I don't recall taking them serious as christians any more than I took Kerry King to be a satanist.
Oh I know Kerry is an atheist. He's never been shy about the fact that all the evil imagery Slayer uses is merely theatrics. It sells records. I think Stryper was as good as any hair band of the day in terms of musicianship. Maybe better than the likes of Winger and Warrant. But none of that was my cup of tea, so Stryper to me was just another gimmick band and I was surprised to hear they even made albums after 1992.
Back in high school I was listening to awful stuff that was detrimental to my soul I wasn't saved and my coworker tried to get me into Stryper and I liked a few songs but never really got into them. Now I listen to them and I know that I really missed out on really good music. Thank you God for getting a hold of my heart and thank you Jesus for saving me.
I'm not particularly Christian, but I saw Stryper the other day in Lancaster and they're sick! One of my favorite bands purely musically. And great video, Rageaholic!
27:00 - Biggest issue I had with IGWT was the seeming complete lack of bass. 2HWTD was melodic but it had a powerful groove throughout, which was essential to its success and longevity--it was _complete_ in a sense that IGWT was not.
This is a fantastic review and my introduction to Mythos. Now I'm hooked on these videos. Stryper blew my mind back in the 80s. All we had as Christians before then was Rez Band and Petra. Good job, man!
I had some vague memories from my very early childhood of the Rez Band and for some reason did a search for their records a couple of years ago and I was completely mind blown. The Rez Band were the BEST Christian 'Metal or Rock' band ever. Songs like 'The Chair' were just incredible. The songwriting and vocals were unbelievable. Im still discovering their songs. Great stuff.
2:06 can't recall it right now, but there was a Catholic saint who was once quoted as saying "to when the ungodliness of others behavior is paramount, make use of the gospel of swearing" Also, St. Nicholas (AKA Santa Claus) once punched a dude in the face for being a heretic. Make of that what you will
Hot Metal Summer '88 was the first time EVER I heard Stryper, and the musicianship (soooooooo criminally underrated) blew my mind. I picked up In God we Trust on cassette, and wore the tape out. My favorite track was actually Lonely because that intro Mike Sweet plays gave me chills. Then I went back and bought every album out prior on cassette (didn't have a turn table for vinyl) and absolutely fell in love with the music. The message was amazing (it strengthened my love of Jesus), but I was already an obsessed musician, and the stuff they wrote is epic! It's sad that the Christian ministers missed the point, because God will use anything of this world to get His word out to the masses. Music is just one way, and Stryper still flies that calling to this day.
Thanks Razorfist. Now, did I enjoy this trip down memory lane. Giving my life to Jesus in the early 90s, and loving hard rock/metal, Stryper was one of the first bands with a good/positive message I listened to then. It just goes to show that God oozes creativity. (Jacques, Cape Town, South Africa)
this guy is by far my favorite UA-camr. Jesus loves you razorfist. as a Christian, I say swear on, rock on, and never apologize. I'm not the one going to hell, I don't need your pity. Godspeed, eyeshadow man
Goota love thoose butthurt atheists that really feel the need to reply to every single reliegious person's coments to feel better and mentaly superior. It never fails man.
As opposed to the religious, who feel they have to flaunt their ridiculous superstition wherever they go? It's almost like UA-cam is populated with an imbalanced number of narcissist fuckwits.
I agree Rageaholic, Sweet can still melt your face with his screams, especially on the track God. A true testament (no pun intended) to his singing ability and how well he has taken care of his voice to keep hitting those high notes. I know a lot of singers from the 80s can still throw down, but many of them stopped singing high notes less than a decade after their hits were released.
Superb band, I'm not a believer myself but Stryper are one of the best 80s bands going. As well as having possibly the best guitar tone... Blow Mötley/Posion etc. Out of the water. They only ascended with time.
That was fucking brilliant. I saw Michael even posted a piece of this on his Instagram today and a friend sent this to me so I watched it. Great work. Your perspectives are as bang on as your opinions on this one. I’ve even had the pleasure of working as a videographer both with Michael and also with Stryper. Great music and they are all wonderful people. Respect foe the top video 🤘🤩
Not been a huge metalhead, although my fiancee loves it. But your retrospectives are so interesting and hyperbolically presented that I can't help but watch them.
My first concert was seeing Stryper on "to hell with the devil" tour, I think it was 86-or 87, I can't remember. I was in 7th or 8th grade at the time and I was a little metal head, far from being a Christian, in FACT, my bro and I got really smoked up at my house right before my bro's mom came by to take us and drop us off in NORMAN. I think it was a band called Hurricane opened for them, and there was so much bud going around. Anyways, I had such a REALLY good time and my buddy actually caught one of their bibles with the Stryper stickers on the front. The shocker was when we got it home it was also autographed inside by Michael & Robert Sweet & Oz Fox. I remember reading something about their being issues with different Bassist or something in the tour so that why his name wasn't inside. I know my buddy thought those were VERY cool as did I at the time. I miss the 80's.
I love this series because even if it's centered around a band I don't particularly care for, it's still interesting as hell and I just love retrospectives.
Two things, one, I've often said that Power Metal is what 80s Hair Metal would have evolved into had Grunge not killed it off in 1992-ish. Two, Stryper has a concert on AXS TV that I've got recorded and I'm really shocked at how good their rock metal chops are. Michael Sweet is a beast on guitar.
Whether you like them or not stryper has more musical talent than most metal bands. I love metal and stryper has some of the best musicians I've heard. The band is tight and always sounds awesome cause they know how to play the instruments whether it's live or studio it sounds the same and that's not easy to accomplish
Love how the co-existence of a band like Stryper in the same genre as, say, Gorgoroth just shows the libertarian spirit of the metal scene. Let's keep it that way!
I wouldn't compare the more glam and blues-based heavy metal sound of Stryper to Gorogoth. There are plenty of extreme Christian metal bands that better fit the comparison.
Well Razor just sold me on Stryper, the way he presented their story... They just seem like an amazing band to be interested in. Also what a good example of Christianity, with the whole "fall down and rise up" story, like they literally resurrected with a thunderous roar.
Stryper was my fucking iNTRODUCTION to metal when I was but 7 years old. My Dad had a copy of Soldiers Under Command that one day he popped into the car's stereo and it BLEW MY MIND. I'd never heard anything like that before, and I was instantly hooked. That album, as incoherent as it is, remains perpetually in my top 10 favorite albums of all time. I love it to death. And Stryper is the reason I am a metalhead. So for doing a Metal Mythos episode for Stryper? You, Razörfist, have my eternal respect and reverence, and as a fellow metalhead, I hereby wish you a God-FUCKING-speed. Stay Awesome, motherfucker, and rock on like the boss you are!!!
Being a Christian Metal band in the 80s was one of the most ballsy moves. Mad respect to you for doing this, Razor!
Shut up 🤬
I had a friend, who is not living anymore, who played in a metal band called Hammer Hand, which opened for Stryper, said that the guys in Stryper Lived their Christianity. They didn't hang around for afterparties or mess with the groupies. They were faithful to wives, GFs, or fiancés and left to get home or to the hotel to pray and unwind, after an appropriate round of glad-handing with fans and ministry to true seekers.
well good for them lol
If they were muslims NOBODY would say a word about them
@@jts400hp It's kind of hard to imagine a Muslim rock band doing well in the USA. Also, Islam kind of a has a mad-on for singing and dancing.
@@TheFpCassini DUH DUH "well good for them lol" DERP!
@@venuspluto67 those are the devil's arts. They talibanned music as the root of it all.
As a devout Christian, and huge Stryper fan, I would like to thank you for doing this particular episode, my friend. I love your channel because you speak from the heart (which is a rare quality these days). It is also cool that celebrities like Chris Jericho and Larry the Cable Guy have also long been fans of the band. I remember I had tickets to go see them with my friend, and had to have surgery, so I had to give my ticket to my brother. I was devastated.
God bless you, Razor. Keep up the incredible work, my friend.
God bless Rob Halford, as well. For being the living legend that he is, this man is more sweet, genuine, and humble than a lot of guys who have no business being arrogant.
When I was a kid, my grandfather was a Baptist preacher. He used to take me around the country to different churches for camp meetings where he would preach. At one of these, there was an evangelist who had a slide show, where he pontificated on the evils of the rock and roll while showing slides. I was maybe 12 at this time. My grandpa thought it was great, until the guy showed a slide of Johnny Cash, and said that the reason he dressed in black was because he secretly worshipped the devil. I heard my grandpa squirming in his seat and grumbling under his breath, "Well, I don't know about that..." I still laugh about that to this day
haha great story. I guess Roy Orbison secretly worshiped the devil too.
Interesting perspective. I guess all people hold a biased POV of the things they hold sacred. And that isn't a knock on your grandpa or any other person. It is just my opinion.
Ironic considering the one song Johnny Cash Actually talks about wearing black.
Imagine thinking a dye in the cloth you wear to cover your ass makes you a satanist
I actually read that as Rapist Preacher
Stryper?
Jimmy Swaggart: No.
Hookers?
Jimmy Swaggart: Go on....
@seabrook1976
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
He has his priorities backwards
Oh shit...🥺
Heck. Why not both?
He likes black metal, ok!?!?
Psalm 150:
"3 Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise Him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise Him with timbrel and dancing,
*praise Him with the strings* and pipe,
5 *praise Him with the clash of cymbals,*
*praise Him with resounding cymbals."*
Emphasis added ofc. God said "LET THERE BE POWER METAL," and He saw that it was awesome.
Amen
AMEN!!!
Jesus always was, and always will be *the spirit of rebellion* ... The church wants you in your place. Kneel, stand, sit, kneel. If ya go for that kinda thing, I don't know what to tell you.
I have to say you make a good point. To often rebellion is attributed to the beast. Modern christianity promotes passivity to the point of being walked on. Rather than trampling on what's genuinely evil.
AMEN 🤘
Stryper had more balls than anybody else back in the day. Many Christians were more offended by Stryper than secular bands. Religion aside, their riffs were excellent.
Embrasse Le Chat not at my church
*Stryper are a great band.* I'm not religious, but I'm glad for my born again friend Brian who introduced me to them back in '88 when we were both way too young to be so wild. He was approaching Nikki Sixx levels of addiction when "god" (yeah I'm still skeptical af xP) spoke to him through his acid trip and told him to get help or he'd die like his friend, who was alive and well a few hours earlier. As soon as Brian was sober enough to deal with people, he went to check on his friend, who had just been found dead of an overdose, and carried away in an ambulance.
Unfortunately 'god' also told him that his hot mess of a self would have to refuse one last temptation, which turned out to be my horny underage thang lol. So we never did hook up, but he lived and kicked cold turkey, and went to work at a street outreach centre that specialized in troubled youth. My friend and his street mission saved my ass a few times, and I eventually came around and went back to school, so it all worked out for the best.
I'm still not a Xtian, but I'm a life long fan of the band \m/
Good, clean Xtian living has also kept them fit enough to keep performing through their middle years. Sweet's voice is still gorgeous after all this time. Very few of the dope fiend rock stars from the 80s were so lucky, except for maybe Slash, Keith and Ozzy. Blood transfusions? Or did the booze and dope have a pickling effect on those 3 or smthg? lol
@@XenaBe25. Respekt
Bloodgood did the same by the way. They had the same negativity as Stryper did.
I hate conformist non-thinking. Respect to Stryper for doing it their own way.
We need Aryan metal
Lol, Christianity is based on non-thinking.
@@NwoDispatcher is there no Aryan Metal?
@@TUKByV1 iron maiden, amon amarth?
@Simo688 we need Aryan restaurants lol
Good grief. Stryper just released a new song ("Transgressor"), and it absolutely kills. Michael's voice hasn't diminished a bit.
Transgressor is FIRE, couldn't agree more!
That note he hits at the end?!?!?! Unbelievable.
Transgressor amazing
They have down tuned a snitch, but almost not enough to tell. Micjaels voice still rules almost every other metal vocalists around his age!!
A criminally underrated band honored by a criminally underrated channel--here's hoping you get the respect you deserve as well.
some of the best content on youtube
I know, just discovered this channel last week
Your rants are fucking EPIC!! Love it
Dude, thanks so much. I've been a fan of your stuff since your review of the Blade Runner PC game. Godspeed!
Love the channel, any chance of a mythos covering either Ozzy’s storied solo career post sabbath or Def Leppard?
When I was in elementary school my Christian parents said, 'No, you cannot listen to heavy metal! '
Then God said, 'Let there be Stryper! '
And it was good.
Amen
There was a Christian Rock Artist (Jeff or Geoff) who had an awesome song called "Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music"
@@mr.m.1409 I think that was a guy named Larry Norman.
@@superflyguitarguy3647 Wrong. Geoff Moore. "Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?"
"Devil gets all the best tunes"-LeVay
Razorfist: the only person in history to love both Stryper and Bathory
And god fucking speed to him!
Not true. I like both too.
Nope, liked Bathory since the first record and Stryper since 'Soldiers...'
*Raises hand
Believe it or not, as much as I have first become a Christian back in 1983, I actually like King Diamond's voice and some of his music. Go figure.
My husband grew up with this band. He still has the black and yellow bible from the Heaven/Hell tour. It's nice you're giving them a proper omage.
Have your husband listen to their 2018 album it's a masterpiece that tops anything they have previously done.
@@nighttigercomics7323 Yes. I prefer Stryper's post-Dio compilations, actually. The same and better music, but often with much more subtle Xtian elements in their narratives. They could be singing about any challenge that gets people inspired, god or no god. Now that they've all been married for decades, their love songs have also grown up :)
And yeah. I just coined the term. *Dio age metal* and *post-Dio metal.* Like pre-Kantian and post-Kantian philosophy. Well... maybe just post-Dio as in after Dio died, not "post" as the prefix is used by philosophers :) Anyway... If Rage wants to quote me he'll have to give me a nod and some free metal goodies for it xP
Haha I have the same bible....tell ur hubby he rocks!!!
As a traditionalist-leaning Catholic who consumes more black-metal than the entire nation of Norway, your odds of offending me are slim to none.
Great content, keep it up.
I like you already!
Who could better understand the idealistic purity and gatekeeping of Norwegian black Metal than a traditional Catholic?
Oz Fox is such an underrated guitarist
Guitarbro221 And Michael even more so. On their best days, I'd put them as a pair up there with guys like Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing easily.
HeathenMetalhead221 I AM AGREE BROTHER , ALSO MICHAEL SWEET HE IS A REALLY GOOD GUITARIST 🤘🏻🎸!
I want to say that Metal Edge magazine back in the day listed Oz Fox as "the next guitar god" , so at least there's that. But yeah, I agree.
Fox is 666 in gematria.
I saw them live, as well as Priest and Slayer. Stryper hold up, they were great, twin metal guitar attack.
Stryper-proof that worship is expressed in different forms and ways.
Amen i want to make so metal like this too i see them as an inspiration praise jesus.
Amen
There are worship bands of every caliber. From R&B and Rap to Metal and Pop to Ska and Punk, and so on. Something for everyone. That’s what the Good Lord intended for us; to extend the message to others, no matter the format. God is universal like music 👍🙏
Stryper is coming out with another album in 2020, "Even the Devil Believes!"
And the single absolutely S L A Y S.
Holy shi..... I mean father!! Awesome I needed another helping of stryper cant wait!!
If they release it on time, you won't have to wait that long. You've got about a week or so longer to wait (early September 2020).
Thank you
Album is out!!! Get it
Been listening to Stryper because of this mythos and the haters can eat a box of cocklates, Stryper rocks. Killer guitar riffs and great vocals and they still sound good today.
Well I was gonna say the haters can eat a 40 gallon garbage bag full of cat uteruses, but your way will do.
Man, their new albums are spectacular 🤤
YES! Stryper are one of the best metal bands
Wow, they suck huge donkey labia.
Stryper saved my life as a confused teen. their positive message got me thru some of the hardest times in them turbulent teen yrs. taught me it was ok to feel and how to deal. I'm sure I am one of a million stories of lives changed or saved during hard times. I have not listened to them in yrs because of memories but I bought the reborn again album when it dropped. this effort one of my top metal favorites of all time. At 46 yrs of age, it all comes full circle and I'm back to say thank you Stryper and thank you for this fantastic video best documentary on Stryper period! Kick ASS! FYI i loved I believe in you lol
The greatest Christian metal band ever. Opened doors for the christian music industry. God bless STRYPER!
The problem is that most of the bands that followed Stryper sucked. There were a few bands, like Bloodgood, the first Holy Soldier record, etc that were decent.
@@timbrown6629 Guardian was good too...esp fire and love and miracle mile. They also did a cover of the yellow and black attack. there were more decent bands...but most are unknown. Believer would be an exception as well as Galactic Cowboys
There are a lot of fairly good Christian '90s extreme metal bands, almost all of which have faded into almost total obscurity. Stuff like Paeramecium, Encryptor; to a lesser extent Antestor and Mortification. They're not all _fantastic_ but definitely good enough it's odd they're some of the most forgotten bands of that era.
@@timbrown6629I'm sorry bit Underoath and The Devil Wears Prada do not suck
Stryper is my favorite Christian band PERIOD. They're great musicians and great people. There's no other band in the world I know that throws bibles to the audience. God bless this incredible band!
One thing I've noticed is that, a lot of "metalheads" seem to hate Stryper. For 2 reasons: Their look, and, Their faith. But, one thing that makes them really special is that those guys are Excellent musicians. Michael Sweet is not only an amazing singer. He is also, an amazing guitarist as well very talented. Oz Fox a very underrated 80s guitar hero. Him and Michael have/had a kick ass guitar tone. And, could give Glenn Tipton and KK Downing a run for their money. Robert Sweet a really great drummer and very entertaining to watch. And, Tim Gaines has master skills on the bass guitar. But, sadly most of the metal community don't really care about the music, or melody. But mostly, about: "how heavy", "how fast", "how brutal", and, tend to crap on
other bands because of how different they are. Whatever the case may be, Stryper could outplay other bands in the 80s and maybe they still can. Stryper is a great band either you like it or not.!!!!!!
Jorge, even Oz himself was saying how all his riffs were sounding bland and the same so he enlisted the help of a buddy Tony Palacios to help him broaden his style. Tony plays for Guardian, another under-appreciated Christian rock band.
@@media696 Not really. Scott Stapp just became a Christian a few years ago. Wrote a biography on his rode to Faith. He probably read a Bible a time or two and wrote a couple good songs with vague Christian ideas. Stryper was awesome. Some songs were cheesy.
I use to put these guys down. I was wrong, brutal twin guitar work. Great vid as usual...keep them coming!
Years back I watched an episode of That Metal Show with guests Michael Sweet, Tracii Guns, and Jani Lane. Firstly, Michael looked great for his age. Clearly living clean was suiting him quite well in these later decades in comparison to how Tracii and Jani looked (RIP Jani). The praise that Jani heaped on Stryper during this interview was amazing. What stood out was him talking about how Warrant could do maybe a short bit of riffing two guitars in harmony, but Stryper did this all the time and he was floored by their guitar chops. Prior to hearing this I hadn't really thought about it too much, but relistening to Stryper songs it was a very prevalent signature they used in so much of their music. Now Michael is releasing side projects with Tracii. Crazy world!
I was never ashamed of loving "In God We Trust".
Cause it was a great album
I sure hope you went back and listened to Soldiers Under Command. And then The Yellow and Black Attack. And then To Hell With The Devil.
@@B_Dog_33 they were all great my friends!!!
Excellent production.
The title track is easily my favorite Stryper song.
I was fortunate enough to be at the listening party for murder by pride in Nashville in 09. It was bitter sweet as Michael shared about the recent loss of his wife and the music about her to a small room of about 20 of us or so. I got to chat with him briefly after and I’ll never forget him looking me dead in the eye saying “we will” after I encouraged him to keep going. A real tender guy who has been through a lot. But one of the most sincere interactions I’ve ever had with a classic music industry personality.
Got my first bible from their concert in Houston. It’s in pristine condition. Meant a lot to me back then..
I saw them in Houston also, somewhere around ‘91 or ‘92. I think the club was called Backstage.
Awesome
Gee, I got my first Bible at a church. They then proceeded to teach me what the books said, why they were in that order, and the history since the last ones were written...
@@rjonboy7608And?
One middle-aged pastor at my church offhandedly mentioned that he listens to Stryper and even had an album on hand to present briefly during a service. Awesome.
As a Christian who listened to Stryper in my teens, I found your candid and unbiased review of the band and their music very entertaining, thanks! Makes me think I should go back and give the new stuff another listen, even though my music taste has changed a lot. I would love if you could do a Metal Mythos feature on Tourniquet some time.
No more hell to pay is an excellent album
Tourniquet is criminally underappreciated.
You need to. I couldn’t believe how good the new stuff was after like you listened to them in my teens.
God Damn Evil in my opinion is their greatest album. I don't know a band who has done there best work 30+ years into their career.
@@slamdancer1720 I agree! I honestly find it more entertaining than God Damn Evil but mainly because the sound in NMHTP is... "Balanced..." (For lack of a better way of describing it 😂) It's melodic enough to think of Stryper's golden days but also having enough heavy elements to keep your head banging (or in my case noding). GDE has some great songs in it but not enough to knock NMHTP off its stool.
The Jesus stuff isn't goofy. The NBC News hats are.
NBC was different back then
Dude NBC in the 1980s was like more conservative than Fox news is today they were like OneAmerica
Yeah exactly!!!
That's what happens when you wear tiny hats
You spelled FOX wrong.
Even as an atheist, Stryper is in my top 5 favorite bands. Greatest Hair Metal Band, in my opinion.
jeremy leal LOVE YOUR COMMENT BRO, 🎸🤘🏻🔥🎸🎸.STRYPER IS THE CHRISTIAN METAL VERSION OF MOTLEY CRUE 😁🤘🏻🔥🔥🎸🎸!
stryper were somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me but you have to admire the balls of this talented musicians playing christian metal.
Stryper was the first and only hard rock band i ever liked. They led me to God before I even knew what it was to be with God. Thank you Stryper.
I don't think you know the real and true and only Living God.
@@markuse3472 ?
@@nameeman5051 I mean when reading, studying and researching Gods Word, it is obvious such music is not God-based, and I mean it doesn't represent nor does it reflect the theme and moral of The Bible. How is there humility and meekness in such music? There isn't, and since they would not have been popular had they mentioned Jesus Christ and Jehovah by name they left that out to please the overall masses and doing so one distances themselves from God and pushes others away from learning about Gods sovereignty. I agree that their music was uplifting and encouraging, but it was Not Christian.
@@markuse3472 Stryper aside, I'm not a fan, but... what chord progressions are acceptable? What sequence of notes? Are any particular rhythms within the guidelines? What instruments fit the parameters?
What tones are said instruments allowed to emit?
What time signatures are allowed ?
What level of skill is allowed?polyrhythms for example... is an artist allowed to train to a point where technical proficiency exhibits a masterpiece of notes, chords, timing, rhythm & beat?
Is volume and/or intensity an issue ?
The reason I ask about intensity is because if I were to write a score for David killing Goliath I'm not sure it would sound like spring flowers, fluffy clouds and sparkling sunshine.
@@nameeman5051 A good writer is able to write anything and make it stand out.
If the movie "The Insider" had been written or done in the 1960's, it would likely not have had any swearing in it and it would still have been a Great film.
The movie "Wild Things" would have been a great movie without the vulgarity and sexual content because it was a Good story, but people as you would say both of the movies I mentioned needed to be as they are or they would not be as good.
Only a feeble person would not recognize "Toccata Con Fuga" or "Carmina Burana" as a darker feel, mode and tone to them than many other classical pieces.
Michael Sweet had one of the most underrated voices.
This is why I love ya Razor, you care not for the hype but for the pure skill art and love of the Metal! God Bless ya brother!
Devout Christian here who doesn't care much for foul language.......but I frickin LOVE your videos and what you have to say! So no worries there. Don't change a thing!
True story: I put a group together to play a couple songs for a praise and worship event at a predominantly black church that was very steeped in "black gospel" So we tossed them a bone with a medley of gospel stuff, but for some insane reason for our other song we decided to do "To Hell with the Devil"
We were expecting to get run out of there and never be asked to come back. Well, when the dust settled from the wailing high note at the end of the song, for what felt like a full 5 seconds you could hear a pin drop and I thought, "man, we're toast", but then they suddenly erupted into the loudest standing O I'd ever gotten, shouting "Amen!" and "Halleluia!", etc. Now every year they when they invite us I'm always asked, "Are you guys gonna do To Hell With the Devil?"
Too bad I developed singer's nodes and have a difficult time pulling this one off these days :(
I'm an atheist and Stryper is my favorite band..so there you go
so cool..!!!.
Thats amazing!
@WhoDarestheMAN gamer so are imaginary people living in the clouds that help your favorite sports team win. As are talking snakes and people living to be 900 years old.
@BIG DYLO He said he was Christian, not Catholic
Noel Perez needs standards..
Hilarious that you mentioned Swaggert's controversy in 1988, when he was running around badmouthing Stryper a few years earlier. Stryper was bringing The Message to the masses, packaged as heavy metal Christian rock, and Swaggert was too heavily involved with hookers to bother even noticing that.
Stryper kicked ass in the genre, and Michael Sweet's vocal range is phenomenal.
Their newtracks are amazing
I saw the actual sermon on tv in 1988 & remember my Dad asking "Don't you have that album?" He was old school but didn't see anything wrong with it,& sad Jimmy was full of shit😂
The evangelicals of the 80s had the exact same issues the soy-swilling concern-trolls of today have; they're more interested in preaching their own praises to the choir than they are with actually saying anything worth believing in.
@@tripleoo0 I'm not entirely convinced that the evangelicals of the 80's aren't the same people as liberals today, just a different religion.
@@kungfuman82 Agree with the sentiment, but I think I'd put it as "different people, same religion", the worship of the self. Don't let this fallen world get you down. Love, Peace and God Bless.
When my uncle sent me a link to this video, I felt my eyes roll to the back of my head, as he's always forwarding Stryper-related things my way (in fact, I can see his obsessive comment below). To my surprise, I found this video to be quite informative, thorough, and entertaining. I can say that by the end of it, I've become more appreciative of the band's efforts to thrive in the midst of adversity throughout their musical career.
Video creator, you've done some good work here. I like your style. I'm due to check out more of your content. Cheers!
A7xandria NICE COMMENT 🎸🤘🏻⚡️⚡️!
Its crazy, i just happened to come across these guys the other day. I've been watching Razor for years, and his video today definitely makes makes me glad i came back to my faith.
As a Catholic I dont care how you personally worship, i love 80s metal and Stryper is my new favorite band ever.
Razor you fucking just destroyed a WALL that had been in many of our minds regarding this band and respect many of us must stop withholding from them. They're no longer a guilty pleasure because we shouldn't have felt guilty to openly supporting them in the first place, especially now. I don't listen to all their stuff but to the most staunch Slayer fan, I say this: even the most cringingly Christian lyric in their discography is surrounded with so much power, melody, crunch and groove comming from the intruments that Stryper can hang with the best of them musically. Everybody can drop the bullshit TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL is a criminally underrated METAL MASTERPIECE.
Yep! Agreed. I remember listening to it back in the 80's when it came out, and it still rocks, and I instantly remembered and sang along in this video. And I'm an atheist ;) Sometimes, the message, the look, the attitude or some other weird shit (and every artist has one) that we don't like and makes us cringe, overshadows the core of it all: the music!
You're now 2 entire albums behind.
This Mythos needs a follow-up.
Make that *three!*
Edit: at the time of writing, they have released eighteen more albums and counting, now let's hear from Erin Andrews at the scene, Erin?
The fact that churches don't play this on the regular should itself be considered heresy of the highest degree.
Capt Char Mine does! On Thursday nights the 18-30 group get together and watch videos and eat. Not the typical stuff like Petra (ugh...) Last week, it was all Johnny Cash, and egg roll casserole which is much better than it sounds. But there's definitely been some Stryper.
Some do! Times change but always seem to be behind.
Christian: Wow Razor, I had no idea you liked Stryper. So what's your favorite band?
Razorfist: Bathory
Christian: *physically explodes*
I jest of course.
This comment is fantastic!
As a Christian, thumbs up. Top Kek.
Christians got the biggest balls on earth
I am a Christian Conservative and I like Bathory. The Satanic crap is just teens rebelling against what was at the time the establishment and nothing more. I think any satan shit is not to be taken seriously
Quorthon even later stated that the satanic stuff was boring. It's one of those things with most black metal the young start super satanic, but if they stick in the genre they evolve lyrically a lot to something dark, but not longer satanic except for Varg who is the biggest fucking edgelord to ever edge.
Got teary eyed watching this. Soldiers under command hit my lonely depressed sophomore in high school psyche like a freight train. Hitting close to home here. Great shit, fist. My compliments.
I suppose Christianity in metal isn't that odd since both Alice Cooper and Dave Mustaine are born again Christians.
Two dudes? I thought it was just Brian Welch. Who is the other one?
Kerry Livgren from Kansas is also a Christian. One or two of the other guys in Kansas are also Christians - John Elephante comes to mind; but there was someone else, too.
I think what Stryper accomplished back then was proof, despite the Christian label, they could still be successful. Plus there were lots of Christian kids back then that liked heavy metal. Heavy Metal was branded devils music by everyone. But the generation that grew up with rock liked this style. I remember kids that were not Christian that liked Stryper. If you were a rocker and the band rocked that is what mattered. I remember thinking most of rock was an act. I didn't think many of them were Satanists. Of course being older now being around the entertainment industry, I know a little different. But when you were kid it all seemed so cool. Better than much of the crap we have out today.
Also all of black Sabbath
Completely agree, Mr. Rick Valentino. I was one of those kids. Personally, I'm thankful Stryper and others that followed gave me something to listen to.
I'm an atheist, but great musicianship, regardless of the message, stands. Musical geniues of there time.
I'm a former atheist and this song is for you:
Stryper - From Wrong to Right (1984) ua-cam.com/video/SqhPVWPllY4/v-deo.html
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
[Chorus]
We want to rock one way, on and on.
You'll see the light some day
All say Jesus is the way.
[Verse 2]
Satan is a fool and it's so insane.
Some people think he's cool, you play with fire,
You'll feel the pain.
Why lose when you could win? Give God a try.
The devil's not your friend, the truth is not a lie.
I've changed my ways from wrong to wright
Evil never pays, no, the truth is not a lie.
[Repeat Chorus]
@@HansS11160 the devil does not exist and certainty has nothing to do with being atheist
Same here. Loved this band ever since 1985.
For me the lyrics ruin it. I cant stand to hear anybody going on about their religion. I really think people should keep that to themselves. I dont want hear it. Its everywhere already and it makes me sick. The US is a tax free haven for this kind of sickness. So my message in response to theirs is Fuck religion and fuck stryper.
@@ktcadd you kinda just gave us YOUR religious view...and we didn't ask for it...so fuck YOU as well
Every religious rock band today from Thousand Foot Krutch to Third Day owe a debt to Stryper for kicking down the doors for religion in rock.. I remember people protesting outside their concerts, nowadays these bands play in churches now but when I was growing up listening to Stryper the churches never missed a chance to bash them.
Sorry man but Stryper is not a religion group at all.. they called christians cuz zthey decide to follow Jesuschrist an not christianity..!! 👍👍
And, arguably, stryper has taken the lord’s message to more people than those churches ever did.
@@infinity.8 Christianity is not a religion either. Its a relationship and there is a 180 degree PHYSICAL difference between Christianity and religion.
@@Deetroiter yeah i know so well i did rhe same i am a rock lover.. 👍👍👍
@@scottroyce5803 u should read again what i said cuz i think u are taking in the worng way. Read it till get it..!! 😁👍
Still would love to see a Stryper/Slayer tour
Wasnt there a WASP and Stryper tour? They were under the same label for a while...would have been nice to have seen meat and bibles on the floor after a throw down of that magnitude.
I would love to see that for merely the spectacle.
I saw W.A.S.P at a small club in my area in California in the late '90s and their sound was so powerful they nearly tore the roof off. I had not been a big fan of theirs in the '80s (I was more into Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Rush, Black Sabbath, etc.), but I did enjoy their great show.
Stryper actually opened for slayer in Mexico in 2006
Gekokujo76 That's funny because Blackie Lawless is now an even bigger bible thumper than Stryper
They were tight as any band of the era. They rocked out . Seen them multiple times. Also they wanted to worship and didn't want anyone to tell them how they should do it . That's rebel as hell to me. They had all odds against them . Their peers didn't want them and the Christian artists didn't want them and they still rocked it out . I am actually proud of them .
I got saved a few years ago and before that, always loved power metal but never gave this band a shot. Man, have I been missing out. Thank you for the education
Thank you for this. I am a Christian and have been a Stryper fan since the mid-80s. Your perspective is a breath of fresh air. Stryper may be the most underrated and misunderstood band in metal.
I hope that i would been living in the mid 80s
But I'm only 13 years old
@@blind_channel_fp 😂👍👍👍 I turn 58 on Wednesday. You're young enough to be my grandchild. In fact, I have a 14 year old grandson. The 80's rocked. I Love STRYPER
@@friedgreentomatoes4998 what do you think was 80s stryper better than todays stryper
@@friedgreentomatoes4998 I think that they were better in the 80s
One of the best vids I have seen on STRYPER... you did a killer job with the history and nailed it!
Thank You RazorFist for covering Stryper! MAD RESPECT for this band's music and holding on to their Faith in God all these years...
As a christian metal lover I always aprove of Stryper
Nobody:
Crazy Pastors: *"strapper' ez devul muzic"*
Ever heard of Count Raven?
Me too
Paramecium is a great band.
And they’re better NOW than they’ve ever been!
I was a HUGE fan of Stryper from 1988-1992. Thank you SO much for rejuvenating my love for this band!
Thank you for making this! You do a wonderful job seeing every side surrounding this band. It's very impressive and a breath of fresh air.
Having seen these guys as a 6 year old in 1988, this definitely brought me back, and I'll be checking out more of the newer (and some of the older) stuff with a big smile. It also made me respect them more -- me being a musician, metal and music lover, and especially Christian. It's cool to see their integrity and humility.
Your video editing, overall delivery of everything and all the humor are great. This was very well done. I can't believe I watched the entire 52 and a half minutes. Seriously I only planned to watch a few mins before bedtime. I'll be checking out more of your channel. Thanks again.
"Fallen" blew my mind. Buncha old dudes bringing it like the Class of '86? Check! Giving a sense of morality to an audience hungry for it? Fuckin' CHECK. Brutality with an understanding for mortality? Check. Michael and Robert are icons of Rock
Moves like Jagger, rocks like Stryper.
My first concert, at 8 years old was a Christian metal band called Petra on their This Means war tour. My mother had recently joined the born again crew and was caught up in the madness of the whole thing. At the time I was obsessed with Motley Crue but going to an actual concert was so exciting to me. The guy that brought me was a younger member of the church who rocked the feathered hairstyle of the day and drove a busted to shit Iroc Z and he was cool as hell to a kid like me. I was so weirded out at the actual show though, because there were all these metal heads walking down the aisle screaming "Praise God!" and "Jesus Rocks!" which made things not as dangerous or exciting as I'd always pictured a metal show. Still, for a first show I went home with a huge smile and a lifelong love of music. I wish I still had the This Means War pin.
Duuuude, I would kill to be you for just that night. Petra is my favorite band! I bet I woulda loved that guy. You're So lucky man!
I loved Petra, then I heard Stryper. Wow. Back to Petra, the Greg X Volz stuff was all I liked, but I liked it a lot.
As a Black American, I always wished I could be in a hard rock band like Stryper!!! I followed this great iconic band from the 80s. Not sure how they would receive us Black Americans,but I'm sure a fan of theirs! Best wishes to you guys. Hope you guys jam your way to the history books.
Two words, sir: "Killswitch Engage." Amazing metal band and the lead vocalist is black. Their cover of Holy Diver is as good as if not better than Dio. Race is not a barrier here.
@@danagray9709100%
They would love to have you as a fan.
I had a black friend who was a metal head
@@Eddie-uf6bs
I still have white friends that listens to hip hop
Michael Sweet: the rare individual who can sing a duet with himself.
This is hands down the best review of Stryper out there. Raw, honest and unbiased. The way metal should be.
As a Christian, I think you did a really good job with this. Of course, lingo notwithstanding. But you’re Rageaholic! And I appreciate your honesty and how much you really do love music. Also as a Christian, I hope you don’t get mad if you say I’ll pray for you…not against you. Much love, Razorfist! I’d call you friend any day and consider myself richer. God bless, my man!
as a christian..*yawn*
Razorfist is the Dennis Miller of heavy metal.
You Got that vibe too!!!!
He definitely has an extensive vocabulary and is a Gifted Talent.
Those are gifts from God and unfortunately, they will not get Razor to heaven. He needs to (as all who will be in heaven must), trust in the substitutionary life, punishment and death of Jesus Christ Alone. Nobody but Christ is Worthy, and that is why we must trust in Him Alone.
Exactly
@Andy Salter Hell for Satan!
They're no different than
any one else.
Me before this video: Christian metal? LOLOLOL
Me after this video: HOLY SHIT THIS IS AWESOME WHY CAN'T I STOP LISTENING
Thanks Razor, I don't think I'd have ever given these guys a closer look if it weren't for you, and I'm glad I did!
Me before this video: Christian metal? LOLOLOL
Me after this video: This still sucks.
It's crazy how relevant this band still is!! They have a new álbum Final battle and it's freaking awesome too
Stryper's vocal harmonies were amazing!
Agreed, I bet this was in some part being fans of Queen. Thats the only other band I can think of with harmonies like that.
STILL ARE PAL
The funny thing is that the genre of Rock and even Metal all have an origin in the Baptist church. Specifically the Southern Baptist Church and how prayer through song became a massive thing within that branch of Christianity. Going all the way back to Elvish he made it clear that his roots were in church gospel music that then led him to make some of the most wholesome and addictive blues, jazz, and swing music that you can listen to: things like blues, jazz, and swing all were seen as the "Devils music" when they came to the front of music even though all of them had there literal roots in Southern Baptist Church.
Calling STRYPER demonic is like calling DOOM demonic even though you are literally a raging man hellbent on destroying hell.
I met Michael briefly before a show in Seattle a few years ago. I had him sign my original To Hell With The Devil cassette. What a class act.
One of my friends borrowed my Stryper tape and was listening to it for a week and then I told him it was Christian. We had to scrape his head off the walls.
Yeah sure buddy.
I'm a Christian who was born again right around the time Soldiers Under Command came out. The swearing aside, you expressed your big like for Stryper well in your own way Rageaholic. I loved your praise for my favorite band man. Good work.
As a person of faith, and in defense of Stryper and heavy metal, just consider this: Mozart, Beethoven, Paganini, etc, were all the Eddie Van Halens of their day. Not only that, they often lived like they were members of Motley Crue, especially Mozart. I've always loved to see the raised eyebrows of the snobs who HATE it when I point this out in conversations. They never see it coming and they have no response to it.
This is true. A lot of people just don’t understand people like Bach were considered rebels because he played it his way and did what he wanted, completely against the expected musical norms of the church. Was warned many times to fall in line, or else.. Different times but same levels of rebellion 🔥
This is why my number one, ‘Make-A-Wish Foundation’ request is to hang out with Raz0rfist in a diner from midnight till dawn just BSing for HOURS about all the shit I agree with him on! I’ve seen Stryper 15 times live and am dying for another 15! My first Stryper album was ‘Soldiers Under Command’ and my first show was off the same tour at Webster Hall in the East Village of NYC back in 1985! Thank you Mr. Raz0rfist for taking the time to make this magnificent video.
15 times? I'm jealous!!
My first time learning about razorfist. What an insightful review and Incredibly Humane and introspective series of comments. Thanks for something unique and valuable on UA-cam.
Stryper albums lay side by side, with my Van halen, twisted sister, Ratt,AC/Dc and Motörhead albums. They rocked like hell🤟🏻
They rocked like heaven 😎
Appreciate the fairness to Stryper's greatness, Razor. You'll probably get a ton of shit from Atheists for this vid, but to hell with them. Stryper is awesome.
Why would he get shit from atheists? I'm an atheist, I think Stryper has a lot of talent and I like a good few of their songs. Being an atheist doesn't mean you take offense to someone liking something created by Christians or to Christians themselves. It simply means you reject their supernatural claims. This kind of peremptory proclamation is the reason that some atheists are militant (well, that and growing up being told you're evil and deserve eternal torture because you couldn't believe what was handed to you)
Right on! 👍😎
I'm an atheist and I love Stryper...
I'm an atheist but that's not why I didn't get into Stryper. They were just another hair metal band to me. Quite talented and all but I didn't listen to Warrant either. Their religion seemed as forced and campy to me as the pretend satanism other bands used and I don't recall taking them serious as christians any more than I took Kerry King to be a satanist.
Oh I know Kerry is an atheist. He's never been shy about the fact that all the evil imagery Slayer uses is merely theatrics. It sells records.
I think Stryper was as good as any hair band of the day in terms of musicianship. Maybe better than the likes of Winger and Warrant. But none of that was my cup of tea, so Stryper to me was just another gimmick band and I was surprised to hear they even made albums after 1992.
Excellent video. Michael Sweet's latest solo album "One Sided War" is another metal masterpiece.
Back in high school I was listening to awful stuff that was detrimental to my soul I wasn't saved and my coworker tried to get me into Stryper and I liked a few songs but never really got into them. Now I listen to them and I know that I really missed out on really good music. Thank you God for getting a hold of my heart and thank you Jesus for saving me.
Thanks and you as well. The newer stuff is really cool. God Bless.
Awesome amen!
I'm not particularly Christian, but I saw Stryper the other day in Lancaster and they're sick! One of my favorite bands purely musically. And great video, Rageaholic!
Michael Sweet is a BMF. Great guitarist with stratospheric vocals. He gets no love because he makes it look so easy.
27:00 - Biggest issue I had with IGWT was the seeming complete lack of bass. 2HWTD was melodic but it had a powerful groove throughout, which was essential to its success and longevity--it was _complete_ in a sense that IGWT was not.
This is a fantastic review and my introduction to Mythos. Now I'm hooked on these videos. Stryper blew my mind back in the 80s. All we had as Christians before then was Rez Band and Petra. Good job, man!
I had some vague memories from my very early childhood of the Rez Band and for some reason did a search for their records a couple of years ago and I was completely mind blown. The Rez Band were the BEST Christian 'Metal or Rock' band ever. Songs like 'The Chair' were just incredible. The songwriting and vocals were unbelievable. Im still discovering their songs. Great stuff.
"The Way" has to be one of the greatest power metal songs Helloween never wrote.
2:06 can't recall it right now, but there was a Catholic saint who was once quoted as saying "to when the ungodliness of others behavior is paramount, make use of the gospel of swearing"
Also, St. Nicholas (AKA Santa Claus) once punched a dude in the face for being a heretic. Make of that what you will
Hot Metal Summer '88 was the first time EVER I heard Stryper, and the musicianship (soooooooo criminally underrated) blew my mind. I picked up In God we Trust on cassette, and wore the tape out. My favorite track was actually Lonely because that intro Mike Sweet plays gave me chills. Then I went back and bought every album out prior on cassette (didn't have a turn table for vinyl) and absolutely fell in love with the music. The message was amazing (it strengthened my love of Jesus), but I was already an obsessed musician, and the stuff they wrote is epic! It's sad that the Christian ministers missed the point, because God will use anything of this world to get His word out to the masses. Music is just one way, and Stryper still flies that calling to this day.
Didn't see this one coming. As always, you keep us guessing as to your artist choices for the Mythos Series. I like it.
Thanks Razorfist. Now, did I enjoy this trip down memory lane. Giving my life to Jesus in the early 90s, and loving hard rock/metal, Stryper was one of the first bands with a good/positive message I listened to then. It just goes to show that God oozes creativity. (Jacques, Cape Town, South Africa)
this guy is by far my favorite UA-camr. Jesus loves you razorfist. as a Christian, I say swear on, rock on, and never apologize. I'm not the one going to hell, I don't need your pity. Godspeed, eyeshadow man
Goota love thoose butthurt atheists that really feel the need to reply to every single reliegious person's coments to feel better and mentaly superior. It never fails man.
Cinocephalus You realize that not all atheists are not like that you bible thumper.
Haha, I'm not even a christian nor even talked about all atheists. Jeez, the triggering is so easy on hardcore ahteists,
As opposed to the religious, who feel they have to flaunt their ridiculous superstition wherever they go? It's almost like UA-cam is populated with an imbalanced number of narcissist fuckwits.
Cinocephalus And you automatically assume I'm an atheist when I'm actually agnostic.
I agree Rageaholic, Sweet can still melt your face with his screams, especially on the track God. A true testament (no pun intended) to his singing ability and how well he has taken care of his voice to keep hitting those high notes. I know a lot of singers from the 80s can still throw down, but many of them stopped singing high notes less than a decade after their hits were released.
Superb band, I'm not a believer myself but Stryper are one of the best 80s bands going. As well as having possibly the best guitar tone... Blow Mötley/Posion etc. Out of the water. They only ascended with time.
That was fucking brilliant. I saw Michael even posted a piece of this on his Instagram today and a friend sent this to me so I watched it. Great work. Your perspectives are as bang on as your opinions on this one. I’ve even had the pleasure of working as a videographer both with Michael and also with Stryper. Great music and they are all wonderful people. Respect foe the top video 🤘🤩
Not been a huge metalhead, although my fiancee loves it. But your retrospectives are so interesting and hyperbolically presented that I can't help but watch them.
Ian Phoenix you and me bro, rageagolic is just so entertainingly delightfull
My first concert was seeing Stryper on "to hell with the devil" tour, I think it was 86-or 87, I can't remember. I was in 7th or 8th grade at the time and I was a little metal head, far from being a Christian, in FACT, my bro and I got really smoked up at my house right before my bro's mom came by to take us and drop us off in NORMAN. I think it was a band called Hurricane opened for them, and there was so much bud going around. Anyways, I had such a REALLY good time and my buddy actually caught one of their bibles with the Stryper stickers on the front. The shocker was when we got it home it was also autographed inside by Michael & Robert Sweet & Oz Fox. I remember reading something about their being issues with different Bassist or something in the tour so that why his name wasn't inside. I know my buddy thought those were VERY cool as did I at the time. I miss the 80's.
I love this series because even if it's centered around a band I don't particularly care for, it's still interesting as hell and I just love retrospectives.
I couldn’t have said that myself..!
RAZOR!!
@@Guitfiddlejase I concur good sirs.
Agreed
Two things, one, I've often said that Power Metal is what 80s Hair Metal would have evolved into had Grunge not killed it off in 1992-ish. Two, Stryper has a concert on AXS TV that I've got recorded and I'm really shocked at how good their rock metal chops are. Michael Sweet is a beast on guitar.
Whether you like them or not stryper has more musical talent than most metal bands. I love metal and stryper has some of the best musicians I've heard. The band is tight and always sounds awesome cause they know how to play the instruments whether it's live or studio it sounds the same and that's not easy to accomplish
Joe Barnes yeah they always sound really good live too
Love how the co-existence of a band like Stryper in the same genre as, say, Gorgoroth just shows the libertarian spirit of the metal scene. Let's keep it that way!
Ultimate capitalist market: whatever the people will buy, shall sell.
Wow that was ghey
I wouldn't compare the more glam and blues-based heavy metal sound of Stryper to Gorogoth. There are plenty of extreme Christian metal bands that better fit the comparison.
VERY well said
Unlocking Your Energy It‘s all metal. What you mean is a subgenre.
Well Razor just sold me on Stryper, the way he presented their story... They just seem like an amazing band to be interested in.
Also what a good example of Christianity, with the whole "fall down and rise up" story, like they literally resurrected with a thunderous roar.
"Christian!? Atheist?! Satanist!? Tobogganist?!" Bwha ha ha. Epic line right there folks. Stryper rules.
Stryper was my fucking iNTRODUCTION to metal when I was but 7 years old. My Dad had a copy of Soldiers Under Command that one day he popped into the car's stereo and it BLEW MY MIND. I'd never heard anything like that before, and I was instantly hooked. That album, as incoherent as it is, remains perpetually in my top 10 favorite albums of all time. I love it to death. And Stryper is the reason I am a metalhead. So for doing a Metal Mythos episode for Stryper? You, Razörfist, have my eternal respect and reverence, and as a fellow metalhead, I hereby wish you a God-FUCKING-speed. Stay Awesome, motherfucker, and rock on like the boss you are!!!