Metal Mythos: STRYPER

A complete career retrospective of The Yellow and Black Attack: STRYPER!
Table of Controversy:
00:03:09 - Roxx Regime Demos (1983)
00:05:53 - The Yellow and Black Attack! (1984)
00:09:17 - Soldiers Under Command (1985)
00:12:40 - RANT: "B-But Stryper just USED Christianity as a GIMMICK!"
00:17:30 - To Hell With The Devil (1986)
00:22:53 - In God We Trust (1988)
00:29:11 - Against The Law (1990)
00:36:26 - Reborn (2005)
00:41:23 - Murder by Pride (2009)
00:44:37 - No More Hell To Pay (2013)
00:47:34 - Fallen (2015)

[@andrewvanhalen1984]

Being a Christian Metal band in the 80s was one of the most ballsy moves. Mad respect to you for doing this, Razor!

[@mr.m.1409]

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.

[@TheFpCassini]

well good for them lol

[@jts400hp]

If they were muslims NOBODY would say a word about them

[@venuspluto67]

@@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.

[@trendmassacre8423]

@@TheFpCassini DUH DUH "well good for them lol" DERP!

[@jocksilver7]

@@venuspluto67 those are the devil's arts. They talibanned music as the root of it all.

[@plain_simple_garak]

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

[@TheFpCassini]

haha great story. I guess Roy Orbison secretly worshiped the devil too.

[@dfcalles]

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.

[@DetectiveThursday]

Ironic considering the one song Johnny Cash Actually talks about wearing black.

[@raxim42]

Imagine thinking a dye in the cloth you wear to cover your ass makes you a satanist

[@simonlloyd7557]

I actually read that as Rapist Preacher

[@Footy_Fan]

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.

[@seabrook1976]

Stryper? Jimmy Swaggart: No. Hookers? Jimmy Swaggart: Go on....

[@jma1095]

@seabrook1976 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@machine-shopbilly6584]

He has his priorities backwards

[@johnsavchak8202]

Oh shit...🥺

[@Ryan_Thompson_Guitarist]

Heck. Why not both?

[@infinidominion]

He likes black metal, ok!?!?

[@DJZephyr]

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.

[@cainkain3207]

Amen

[@HolyThunder460]

AMEN!!!

[@XiahouJoe]

@Tommy Two Tone Well bless your heart.

[@ilovebutterstuff]

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.

[@kyleabrams9480]

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.

[@afterwit3620]

Good grief. Stryper just released a new song ("Transgressor"), and it absolutely kills. Michael's voice hasn't diminished a bit.

[@thepleaseattack8688]

Transgressor is FIRE, couldn't agree more!

[@c2cooler2]

That note he hits at the end?!?!?! Unbelievable.

[@tomthumb5354]

Transgressor amazing

[@trendmassacre8423]

They have down tuned a snitch, but almost not enough to tell. Micjaels voice still rules almost every other metal vocalists around his age!!

[@allengarner2]

Got my first bible from their concert in Houston. It’s in pristine condition. Meant a lot to me back then..

[@nunyabeezwax5764]

I saw them in Houston also, somewhere around ‘91 or ‘92. I think the club was called Backstage.

[@richn811]

Awesome

[@rjonboy7608]

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...

[@mr.brenman2132]

​@@rjonboy7608And?

[@MetalJesusRocks]

Your rants are fucking EPIC!! Love it

[@TheRageaholic]

Dude, thanks so much. I've been a fan of your stuff since your review of the Blade Runner PC game. Godspeed!

[@nathanielweber7843]

Love the channel, any chance of a mythos covering either Ozzy’s storied solo career post sabbath or Def Leppard?

[@MrBingogogo]

A criminally underrated band honored by a criminally underrated channel--here's hoping you get the respect you deserve as well.

[@madmojo-ou2pz]

some of the best content on youtube

[@patrickstrahm05]

I know, just discovered this channel last week

[@stalemateib3600]

Stryper is coming out with another album in 2020, "Even the Devil Believes!"

[@kartikayysola]

And the single absolutely S L A Y S.

[@cameronearland5716]

Holy shi..... I mean father!! Awesome I needed another helping of stryper cant wait!!

[@stalemateib3600]

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).

[@alexmalevanyy324]

Thank you

[@MrHardrock]

Album is out!!! Get it

[@damongardiner4133]

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

[@martijnstuart95]

Razorfist: the only person in history to love both Stryper and Bathory

[@SirShwibert]

And god fucking speed to him!

[@robynsrecs2183]

Not true. I like both too.

[@GordonHeaney]

Nope, liked Bathory since the first record and Stryper since 'Soldiers...'

[@loganviking3923]

*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.

[@HeathenMetalhead221]

Oz Fox is such an underrated guitarist

[@kartikayysola]

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.

[@optimusvader7823]

HeathenMetalhead221 I AM AGREE BROTHER , ALSO MICHAEL SWEET HE IS A REALLY GOOD GUITARIST 🤘🏻🎸!

[@Beast96GT]

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.

[@AgeofReason]

Fox is 666 in gematria.

[@saltpeter7429]

I saw them live, as well as Priest and Slayer. Stryper hold up, they were great, twin metal guitar attack.

[@coltonallard6782]

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.

[@Nick-qf7vt]

I like you already!

[@2000Doriyas]

Who could better understand the idealistic purity and gatekeeping of Norwegian black Metal than a traditional Catholic?

[@jamesweber3797]

The greatest Christian metal band ever. Opened doors for the christian music industry. God bless STRYPER!

[@timbrown6629]

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.

[@slamdancer1720]

@@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

[@Chicky_Lumps]

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.

[@pReaL77]

​@@timbrown6629I'm sorry bit Underoath and The Devil Wears Prada do not suck

[@Kylor80sMetalFan]

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!

[@gloriaredmon-booth6572]

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.

[@nighttigercomics7323]

Have your husband listen to their 2018 album it's a masterpiece that tops anything they have previously done.

[@XenaBe25]

@@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

[@jubankta1627]

Haha I have the same bible....tell ur hubby he rocks!!!

[@FlyinTonite]

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.

[@trendmassacre8423]

Well I was gonna say the haters can eat a 40 gallon garbage bag full of cat uteruses, but your way will do.

[@benireges]

Man, their new albums are spectacular 🤤

[@heisensperg9264]

YES! Stryper are one of the best metal bands

[@thatlittlevoice6354]

Wow, they suck huge donkey labia.

[@richmargin6082]

Michael Sweet had one of the most underrated voices.

[@infinitygirlak]

You're now 2 entire albums behind. This Mythos needs a follow-up.

[@Neon-Puritan]

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?

[@HardKnox333]

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.

[@joebobjenkins7837]

Embrasse Le Chat not at my church

[@XenaBe25]

*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/

[@XenaBe25]

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

[@dannykingnatsarimnazeriteg6203]

@@XenaBe25. Respekt

[@sgtmadness22]

Bloodgood did the same by the way. They had the same negativity as Stryper did.

[@mtlspider]

stryper were somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me but you have to admire the balls of this talented musicians playing christian metal.

[@falcon-jy5wt]

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.

[@markuse3472]

I don't think you know the real and true and only Living God.

[@nameeman5051]

@@markuse3472 ?

[@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.

[@nameeman5051]

@@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.

[@markuse3472]

@@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.

[@MrExnihlo]

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.

[@oz_jones]

Amen

[@mr.m.1409]

There was a Christian Rock Artist (Jeff or Geoff) who had an awesome song called "Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music"

[@superflyguitarguy3647]

​@@mr.m.1409 I think that was a guy named Larry Norman.

[@mr.m.1409]

@@superflyguitarguy3647 Wrong. Geoff Moore. "Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?"

[@martinmungarro6369]

I never rallied any bands i was a garbage dump or throw away picker whatever’s laying around I just gravitated to kinda keeps one out of that bind with parental units now ima parent I feel so uncool but I bought my son his first drums and guitar aleady he just turned four he’s 5 In sept 21st woo trying not to be that parent roboto say no crap his mom took it down so im like where is his stuff the Alesis drums and Ibanez junior guitar so hope she puts it back up she’s a weirdo , , stay up ,

[@stickmanny7034]

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]

No more hell to pay is an excellent album

[@RobertIsMusic]

Tourniquet is criminally underappreciated.

[@kinglangren]

You need to. I couldn’t believe how good the new stuff was after like you listened to them in my teens.

[@nighttigercomics7323]

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.

[@jakefoxx7978]

@@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.

[@PolaireOfAstora]

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.

[@bigsky1970]

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.

[@cainkain3207]

Their newtracks are amazing

[@dudejrryan]

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😂

[@tripleoo0]

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]

@@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.

[@JadeSun7]

@@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.

[@pattyorigami]

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 :(

[@JeremyLeal1695]

Even as an atheist, Stryper is in my top 5 favorite bands. Greatest Hair Metal Band, in my opinion.

[@optimusvader7823]

jeremy leal LOVE YOUR COMMENT BRO, 🎸🤘🏻🔥🎸🎸.STRYPER IS THE CHRISTIAN METAL VERSION OF MOTLEY CRUE 😁🤘🏻🔥🔥🎸🎸!

[@oluwaboriogunafolabi3997]

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.

[@billlosapio7571]

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.

[@SensaiRyu]

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!

[@gooseabuse]

I hate conformist non-thinking. Respect to Stryper for doing it their own way.

[@NwoDispatcher]

We need Aryan metal

[@pghgti2828]

Lol, Christianity is based on non-thinking.

[@TUKByV]

@@NwoDispatcher is there no Aryan Metal?

[@NwoDispatcher]

@@TUKByV iron maiden, amon amarth?

[@NwoDispatcher]

@Simo688 we need Aryan restaurants lol

[@DBSG1976]

I use to put these guys down. I was wrong, brutal twin guitar work. Great vid as usual...keep them coming!

[@killrmillr]

The Jesus stuff isn't goofy. The NBC News hats are.

[@adrianshephard378]

NBC was different back then

[@ronniehopper2726]

Dude NBC in the 1980s was like more conservative than Fox news is today they were like OneAmerica

[@thewolf1102]

Yeah exactly!!!

[@NwoDispatcher]

That's what happens when you wear tiny hats

[@GlamprinceRockking]

You spelled FOX wrong.

[@randoshus3762]

Michael Sweet: the rare individual who can sing a duet with himself.

[@nerzenjaeger]

I was never ashamed of loving "In God We Trust".

[@jubankta1627]

Cause it was a great album

[@B_Dog_33]

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.

[@jubankta1627]

@@B_Dog_33 they were all great my friends!!!

[@ejamsc]

Excellent production.

[@mitchelltheawesome1]

The title track is easily my favorite Stryper song.

[@micahdadbeh5955]

Stryper-proof that worship is expressed in different forms and ways.

[@aceanonymous3647]

Amen i want to make so metal like this too i see them as an inspiration praise jesus.

[@jscott1622]

Amen

[@gomentil]

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 👍🙏

[@lucilovecraft1621]

Stryper albums lay side by side, with my Van halen, twisted sister, Ratt,AC/Dc and Motörhead albums. They rocked like hell🤟🏻

[@enlightenedwarrior7119]

They rocked like heaven 😎

[@a7xandria198]

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!

[@optimusvader7823]

A7xandria NICE COMMENT 🎸🤘🏻⚡️⚡️!

[@doctorhouse3151]

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.

[@StefanoPapaleo-TS]

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!

[@jorgeromero8909]

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.!!!!!!

[@timcotrell9753]

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.

[@timcotrell9753]

@@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.

[@toddferguson4571]

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]

Sorry man but Stryper is not a religion group at all.. they called christians cuz zthey decide to follow Jesuschrist an not christianity..!! 👍👍

[@Deetroiter]

And, arguably, stryper has taken the lord’s message to more people than those churches ever did.

[@scottroyce5803]

@@infinity.8 Christianity is not a religion either. Its a relationship and there is a 180 degree PHYSICAL difference between Christianity and religion.

[@infinity.8]

@@Deetroiter yeah i know so well i did rhe same i am a rock lover.. 👍👍👍

[@infinity.8]

@@scottroyce5803 u should read again what i said cuz i think u are taking in the worng way. Read it till get it..!! 😁👍

[@LorinRSmith]

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!

[@rockhardnipple6633]

Stryper got me through my middle school years and into high school. I loved the hair bands of the time, but being a Christian made it hard. Stryper filled that void. They did catch hate from both sides, but they rocked.

[@scottishbananaclan]

Stryper is not hair metal. They are heavy metal.

[@bradgraberguitar]

Jeffery Claborn me too! Petra never did it for me. Rez Band were great, but a little ‘dated’ sounding. Stryper came along and blew me away! Finally, some excellent metal without the garbage lyrics! Their new stuff is excellent too!

[@1krani]

@@scottishbananaclan They got the hair, they got the metal, they got the glamorizing lyrics and smooth, undistorted guitar solos. Nothing wrong with hair metal, man.

[@4themusicman]

Me as well. I was 13 and in 7th grade when THWTD dropped. Southern gospel was the only thing allowed in my house. Secretly, I had been listening to Crue, WASP, and KISS but with Stryper, there was no hiding it. Bold lyrics and incredible musicianship. To this day, I relish a twin guitar attack!

[@nohbuddy1]

Still would love to see a Stryper/Slayer tour

[@Gekokujo76]

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.

[@KTF0]

I would love to see that for merely the spectacle.

[@OZRIC1985]

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.

[@newingvaeona8907]

Stryper actually opened for slayer in Mexico in 2006

[@martijnstuart95]

Gekokujo76 That's funny because Blackie Lawless is now an even bigger bible thumper than Stryper

[@GotLove4All]

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.

[@danagray9709]

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.

[@ab-gail]

@@danagray9709100%

[@slamdancer1720]

They would love to have you as a fan.

[@Eddie-uf6bs]

I had a black friend who was a metal head

[@GotLove4All]

@@Eddie-uf6bs I still have white friends that listens to hip hop

[@gruberpg]

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.

[@gruberpg]

Thanks and you as well. The newer stuff is really cool. God Bless.

[@richn811]

Awesome amen!

[@pickinboogers4u]

Razorfist is the Dennis Miller of heavy metal.

[@thomaslarson7306]

You Got that vibe too!!!!

[@JohnO318]

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.

[@venomagent76]

Exactly

[@venomagent76]

@Andy Salter Hell for Satan!

[@toneyisaiah408]

They're no different than any one else.

[@Noelfuga300]

I'm an atheist and Stryper is my favorite band..so there you go

[@tracezachdaniels4264]

so cool..!!!.

[@davejones5640]

Thats amazing!

[@edwaters3136]

@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.

[@SasqueEnchiladaII]

@BIG DYLO He said he was Christian, not Catholic

[@keefjunior4061]

Noel Perez needs standards..

[@gerosky77]

It's crazy how relevant this band still is!! They have a new álbum Final battle and it's freaking awesome too

[@charlespittsjr604]

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 .

[@TheBurg229]

The fact that churches don't play this on the regular should itself be considered heresy of the highest degree.

[@nobdydoh4263]

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.

[@lp8256]

Some do! Times change but always seem to be behind.

[@msb0000]

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 hope that i would been living in the mid 80s

[@blind_channel_fp]

But I'm only 13 years old

[@friedgreentomatoes4998]

@@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

[@blind_channel_fp]

@@friedgreentomatoes4998 what do you think was 80s stryper better than todays stryper

[@blind_channel_fp]

@@friedgreentomatoes4998 I think that they were better in the 80s

[@micahm9274]

Thank You RazorFist for covering Stryper! MAD RESPECT for this band's music and holding on to their Faith in God all these years...

[@michaelolz]

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!

[@simonlloyd7557]

as a christian..*yawn*

[@RobertIsMusic]

Stryper's vocal harmonies were amazing!

[@billybobtexas]

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.

[@newprobaseballneeded]

STILL ARE PAL

[@duroatama1402]

Whats funny is that Stryper is probably the closest to being actual normal Christians. Hell I kinda wish Christians of today were MORE like Stryper! lol

[@dougpridgen9682]

Have you read the Bible? Actual Christians would be closer to Muslims if they weren't forced to temper themselves by the United States Constitution. Just read a book about the Dark Ages if you doubt it.

[@warbossgegguz679]

Doug Pridgen "Just read a book about the Dark Ages if you doubt it." Well given that I study the Medieval church as part of my discernment, no they would not be. The "dark ages" themselves were a myth created during the Reformation to undermine the church, and it was reinforced by "Enlightenment". Having read about the church in the middle ages though, monasticism and mysticism reigned supreme in the church at the time, so the kind of violence you see from muslims was nonexistent, outside of the less devout, more worldly populous engaging in petty squabbles, and of course warring kingdoms (not much has changed on those fronts in the whole of human history though). Outside of the crusades, the church has never called on the masses for violent affairs. In fact, while rallying for the crusades, St. Bernard literally reproved an entire village for persecuting other religions in the area under the guise of "holy war". And this is the man who founded the Knights Templar. If you're referring to technology/science, again no. Not only were natural sciences actually pursued by the monks arguably more than anyone to the point of discovering things like the concept of genes (in an era where doctors were basically quacks and con men), but cases like the incident with Galileo and others never take into account any other sort of political or social issues at the time. for Example, the church initially gave Galileo the go ahead on his theories, but the way Galileo presented his theories was in the form of a fictitious dialogue, in which it comes across as though Galileo was basically mocking the church and the Pope specifically. _This_ was the reason they condemned him, not because they saw his theories as doing anything inherently wrong or anti-christian, but because they found his presentation insulting. Also, given the horrible and disgusting things politicians and criminals get away with through loopholes in the constitution, I'd hardly be holding it up as a symbol of freedom.

[@warbossgegguz679]

Duro Atama ultimately, even though I'm Catholic I love Stryper because all they want to do is spread love. That's the kind of thing I can get behind. I'd rather people experience the love of christ in some other form rather than never. I hope they see the way some day, but ultimately who am I to judge when I myself am so imperfect in my own faith? I'd rather watch and make sure I myself don't stumble than try to force people down one path. I have protestant friends and colleagues, and we're fine with each other. We're both there for the same guy in the end. I just keep Philippians 1:15-18 in mind when I see other denominations. "in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice." Stryper's message is ultimately about goodwill towards all through the praise of Christ in an open and Unique manner that clearly means a lot to both them and their fans (myself included). And that's why it infuriates me when I see Fundamentalists call them wolves in sheep's clothing. (Ironically, being Catholic in America I can probably relate to that feeling of dejection more than most of their other fans.)

[@dougpridgen9682]

Study harder and choose better sources.

[@EmperorNero]

Yeah no you're so wrong here. I'm an atheist, but the Christian faith if anything has lead to the west become tempered and less warlike. It lead directly into the concept of Just War. Hell back when Christianity first started the most radical of those went into the fucking desert to mediate, and starve. Because Christianity in its truest form is not about getting into heaven or avoiding hell it is in fact about suffering on earth to suffer like Christ to become divine here. As mentioned in the script with the desert fathers they are said to be like fire in their head that merely pointing a finger it caused a fire in their heart(not literally but what they are saying is their spirit is like fire). Now this does not change the fact of some Christians in the Roman period destroying pagan temples and carving a cross in said statues head. Now onto the Dark Age issue. I actually have a degree in history to notion in the field since hell the 30s is that the dark age was a creation by one man due to the Renaissance. If there was a Dark Age which some historians think there was it was not from the fall of Rome, to the Renaissance a total of a thousand years, but due to the fall of Roman and the chaos of the various Germanic tribes invading former Roman lands, this lasted till the rise of Charlemagne when Europe stabilized due to the conquering(Clovis kind of kicked it off, but still killed and conquered he was a pretty shitty Christian one which the pope admitted as such). We call the period of Charlemagne the Carolingian Renaissance for good reason as the focus was on education reform, and the sciences. Hell Charlemagne as a king was one of the first to become literate himself during this age. That is what most historians agree on is the end of the dark age. If anything the reason the Dark age happened had nothing to do with the church, nor was it kept in it by it. The monks during that time were discovering new sciences all the time, and continued to grow, leading directly to the Renaissance hell the lost language of Rome was brought back by the fall of the Byzantine Empire by monks caste out via the Ottoman Turks. Dude I just told you a shit ton of history, now are you going to tell me a dude who has A DEGREE IN THE FIELD AND STUDIES IT OBVIOUSLY A LOT to do more research.

[@giornogiovanni5655]

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.

[@michaelspyker8390]

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!

[@45obiwan]

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.

[@ejamsc]

Yeah sure buddy.

[@Sir.suspicious]

As a christian metal lover I always aprove of Stryper

[@adrianshephard378]

Nobody: Crazy Pastors: *"strapper' ez devul muzic"*

[@cloudwizard7694]

Ever heard of Count Raven?

[@arandommetalheadontheinter6249]

Me too

[@Nearsightedfarseer]

Paramecium is a great band.

[@michaelolz]

And they’re better NOW than they’ve ever been!

[@WhatDayIsItTrumpDay]

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.

[@mikewalker5101]

First time watching your channel, well done Mr, I had the opportunity to tour manage for a band that toured with Stryper in 2010, somehow I remember Michael saying "were not a Christian rock band, were Christians in a band" lol

[@kjemradio]

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.

[@daytonasayswhat9333]

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 KZbin.

[@rodzillarox4882]

One of the best vids I have seen on STRYPER... you did a killer job with the history and nailed it!

[@TheHighwinder]

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.

[@copheart]

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.

[@belleulferts3942]

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!

[@Beast96GT]

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.

[@gregreals7198]

this guy is by far my favorite KZbinr. 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

[@Cinocephalus]

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.

[@michaelhall736]

Cinocephalus You realize that not all atheists are not like that you bible thumper.

[@Cinocephalus]

Haha, I'm not even a christian nor even talked about all atheists. Jeez, the triggering is so easy on hardcore ahteists,

[@Malentor]

As opposed to the religious, who feel they have to flaunt their ridiculous superstition wherever they go? It's almost like KZbin is populated with an imbalanced number of narcissist fuckwits.

[@michaelhall736]

Cinocephalus And you automatically assume I'm an atheist when I'm actually agnostic.

[@wsprag28]

This is hands down the best review of Stryper out there. Raw, honest and unbiased. The way metal should be.

[@Road_Rash]

I need to get back into Stryper...I forgot how good they were...thanks for the reminder...👌🏿😎👍🏿

[@pergproductions]

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.

[@RichardMichaelEgan]

This comment is fantastic!

[@StudioThirtyEight]

As a Christian, thumbs up. Top Kek.

[@thiccviener825]

Christians got the biggest balls on earth

[@nickmoser7785]

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

[@EmperorNero]

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.

[@divineaggression1227]

Excellent video. Michael Sweet's latest solo album "One Sided War" is another metal masterpiece.

[@Imaginebookscompany793]

I'm an atheist, but great musicianship, regardless of the message, stands. Musical geniues of there time.

[@HansS11160]

I'm a former atheist and this song is for you: Stryper - From Wrong to Right (1984) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaLLgYmNhdGfj5Y 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]

[@bicarbonateyoda3205]

@@HansS11160 the devil does not exist and certainty has nothing to do with being atheist

[@GregoryDSelwah]

Same here. Loved this band ever since 1985.

[@ktcadd]

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.

[@kmsharley75]

@@ktcadd you kinda just gave us YOUR religious view...and we didn't ask for it...so fuck YOU as well

[@riffmaster1078]

You need to update this video with a review of the album "God Damn Evil"

[@seal7144]

Giovanni Laurenti Y E S

[@edwardwille3986]

And NOW, Even The Devil Believes!

[@cavemanbum]

I was a HUGE fan of Stryper from 1988-1992. Thank you SO much for rejuvenating my love for this band!

[@kartikayysola]

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!

[@Admiral_Bongo]

Me before this video: Christian metal? LOLOLOL Me after this video: This still sucks.

[@Ammiel1234]

I had lots of friends that refused to listen to Stryper, Their loss, the music speaks for itself.

[@darkChristian]

the most underestimated band, they kick butt on all fronts. total absolute metal. sounds killer

[@EndlessVacuum]

Clothes that have stripes on them? That is metal as FUCK.

[@murphyslaw_1776]

EndlessVacuum lol

[@Colleens-Corner]

Especially during the 80’s.

[@BatesKrisbates]

1:48 I'm a Christian, I regularly watch your channel, and I say bad words all the fucking time, Mr. Fist.

[@deathpick2]

that describes me too

[@joshuaberkau]

yup

[@jbaker1138]

Kristian Bates Same here.

[@Necronner]

It's basically the "represntation" of being a Christian, usually found with people that are too heavenly minded they are no earthly good. I went to a christian grade-highschool that basically believed that if you did anything that would be considered "non-christian" they got upset with you. They cared more about how you looked to others, than how you actually are. They promoted going to a christian college (Pensacola I remember, so straight laced going to see a movie was banned and could lead you to expulsion). Sadly this same mindset makes it that when Christians actually go to the outside world, they get culture shocked so hard that it breaks straight through the conditioning the schools tried to place on them. The kids/young adults do not have their own ideas on their belief just what the people above them told them to have. This usually leads to two types of people, people that just double down on their faith, seeing everyone else as ungodly sinful people and repeating the cycle for the next generation, or it causes them to give up the faith that much easier. I myself though didn't agree with this and tested my faith myself, questioning what was taught and coming to my own beliefs on the subject matters. This lead me to less shock going to a secular college, and why I'm still a firm believer to this day.

[@deathpick2]

EXACTLY

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

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

[@Welcome_To_Life]

Joe Barnes yeah they always sound really good live too

[@junuh5golf232]

Every once in a while people come along that do things no one have done and no one will ever do. They are Legends. Stryper is such a Legend.

[@vvblues]

Michael Sweet is a BMF. Great guitarist with stratospheric vocals. He gets no love because he makes it look so easy.

[@PhoenixWakeStudios]

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.

[@Keyjolfson]

Ian Phoenix you and me bro, rageagolic is just so entertainingly delightfull

[@theodosios2615]

Just picked up their The Final Battle CD, it's killer!

[@CatTechSupport]

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.

[@dlullrich6803]

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.

[@dmaster5556]

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.

[@Guitfiddlejase]

I couldn’t have said that myself..! RAZOR!!

[@user-yk4gd1fl4z]

@@Guitfiddlejase I concur good sirs.

[@dadgrade7837]

Agreed

[@LorinRSmith]

Thank you for your metal fan integrity. It’s crazy to be in the era we are and still having to hear people slam “Christian” metal as not valid. The only metal music labeled by its lyrical content in stead of its style.

[@bMt5553]

I know this comment is late, but thank you for that.

[@soullessmeatpuppet7840]

Thanks for this blow by blow breakdown of Stryper's history. I've seen a few other videos of yours, but I just subscribed now because I think you're hilarious. If I ever write a film about a DJ, I would love for you to play it. LOL I grew up in the church, and as an adolescent in the mid-80s, I of course got into heavy metal. Motley Crue was my drug of choice back then, but around 85-86 is when I first discovered Stryper. I still remember the day that I went to my local Christian bookstore to buy To Hell with the Devil, because at that point the major record store chains still weren't carrying Stryper yet. I stayed with the band through In God We Trust, and by the time I was 16, Against the Law came out, and considering their huge change at that time, and me being smack in the middle of hormone central where all I could think about were girls, and of course all the OTHER awesome metal and punk bands that I was now into, Stryper's change seemed to fuel my own, so I stepped away from the church to be the rebellious teenager. After 35 years, I never returned to either the church or Stryper until just a month or so ago when I discovered that they were still making music, which also helped me come back to Christ once again. They definitely have aged like a five wine. I am amazed that Michael's voice is still so powerful, and they shred more now than ever before. Thank God for Stryper! 🤘❤️🙏

[@soullessmeatpuppet7840]

My only complaint about this video is that it was from 5 years ago and you don't include their albums put out since then. I would love to hear your opinion of "Take It to the Cross." They slay better now than Slayer did as their career went on. I guess taking an extended hiatus through the 90's and into the new millennium is EXACTLY what they needed. God's will be done.🤘

[@Rokiriko]

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.

[@MaelstromTheDemon]

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!!!

[@jacquespotgieter756]

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)

[@SaintSteven67]

I disagree that the ballads on Against the Law were bad. “Lady” was absolutely awesome.

[@pergproductions]

I suppose Christianity in metal isn't that odd since both Alice Cooper and Dave Mustaine are born again Christians.

[@pergproductions]

Two dudes? I thought it was just Brian Welch. Who is the other one?

[@TheRootsMan]

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.

[@rickvalentino6920]

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.

[@ibowonar141]

Also all of black Sabbath

[@4themusicman]

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.

[@dcorica79]

I didn't know all these cool stryper facts... Thanks razorfist!

[@pagmatic]

I found out about Stryper when I was 16. I'm now 50 and still a fan. Thanks for making this documentary.

[@joeydutton8074]

I was invited to see a 'christian rock' band in 1985 in Dallas. I went and was blown away. I think it was the Soldiers Under Command tour. Loved it. Been a Stryper fan ever since. They just keep getting better. I think you're right about the song "More Than a Man". I saw Stryper again in 2016 in a 2 hour concert here in Houston, and Michael Sweet played that song again. He commented that it was...in his opinion...one of their best songs, but very underrated and ignored.