Christian metal band, Stryper, is set to release their 12th studio album on September 13, 2024 via Frontiers Music. The record, titled When We Were Kings, is everything you would expect from the yellow and black attack.
The album is full of screaming guitars, melodic vocals that fans have come to love from founding member and singer, Michael Sweet, as well as messages of a world that is in turmoil and very divided.
Sweet, who wrote the majority of the songs says the collection of music is very heavy at times with a melodic approach and choruses that are easy to sing along with. He feels that it will be at the top of everyone’s song list and calls it a KILLER album. Along with Sweet are band members and brother Robert Sweet on drums, Ox Fox on guitar and Perry Richardson on bass.
The first track, “End of Days” starts out hard and heavy. The song is about calling people to action to change the direction the world is heading in. The production is rich and bold, while the solos are beautifully done. The song shows the abilities of the band as a continued contender in contemporary metal.
The title track “When We Were Kings”, is an anthem dedicated to days gone by. It pays homage to the past 41 years of Stryper making music and all the memories along the way. It is a softer edged tune that celebrates the lasting relevance of the band and their music.
The song, “Grateful”, is a ballad that is very reminiscent to the 80’s music the band created years ago. The song is about the true dedication of ministry that the band has served for four decades now.
Stryper fans will be pleased to add this record to their collection as it is a strong and well-done album with plenty of guitar riffs, hard hitting drums, top notch vocals, and positive messages throughout of unity, community, gracefulness and praise.
Stryper’s 40th anniversary tour begins on 9/11, going through November in the United States at selected dates. Check to see if they are coming to a city near you and be sure to buy “When We Were Kings”.
