STRYPER: God Damn Evil (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Since their return to business in 2005, the Sweet brothers' band has lost no time in making a string of albums at a fairly steady pace. After the superb and heavy "Fallen", here is the seventh and newcomer entitled "God Damn Evil". Coupled with a superb artwork once again and still produced by Stan W. Decker, it remains to be seen if the content will be up to scratch and if it will stand comparison with its predecessor.

As on "Fallen", Stryper opens the hostilities with a surprising and unusual title for the quartet. Dark and with martial choruses, 'Take It To The Cross' alternates heavy verses and a thrashy chorus on which Michael Sweet's screaming vocals are doubled by growls by Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall). Before closing on the speed 'The Devil Doesn't Live Here' with its scathing and catchy chorus, the sequel is more classical but still contains a lot of heavy and melodic nuggets. In this respect, both singles play their role perfectly, whether it's the epic 'The Valley' or the steamroller 'Sorry' with its catchy and haunting chorus reinforced by one of the many guitar duels made by the now legendary and fearsome Fox / Sweet pair. The eponymous track also occupies a prominent place in the hymn section, offering a beautiful power and a once again unstoppable leitmotiv.

If Californians have often been mocked for their tendency to offer numerous honeyed ballads, this flaw seems to have been erased since several opus. The exercise is only represented here by a successful mid-tempo 'Can't Live Without Your Love'. As on its two predecessors, "God Damn Devil" gives priority to power without denying an undeniable melodic approach. And among the classical but effective pieces ('You Don't Even Know Me', 'Beautiful'), some more surprising elements emerge such as the screaming and high-pitched chorus of a 'Lost' translating the energy of despair and endowed with a nice guitar bridge in harmonies. Also noteworthy is a sharp 'Sea Of Thieves' and an 'Own Up' playing on the accelerations between verses and choruses.

In the end, even without reaching the heights of "Fallen", this opus is a new demonstration of Stryper's mastery of his art. In a relatively classical but perfectly accomplished ensemble, the apostles of Christian Metal still manage to surprise their fans with some sometimes risky experimentations. Without imposing itself among the unavoidable albums of the Californian quartet, "God Damn Evil" maintains a level of excellence in the band's discography and conceals enough catchy tracks to justify some attention. - Official website

STRYPER

GOD DAMN EVIL

FRONTIERS RECORDS

HEAVY METAL