|
|
"Mature and sure of his strength, Stryper delivers one of his best sermons with "The Final Battle" which turns out to be a formidable string of pieces as powerful as melodic."
|
4/5
|
|
|
|
We must admit that it is particularly difficult to criticize a Stryper album, especially since "No More Hell To Pay" (2013). This opus seems to have been the one that allowed the quartet to definitively establish their formula on the border of hard rock and melodic heavy with an efficiency as formidable as catchy. "The Final Battle" is the fourth studio release following what seems to be the landmark work of the white metal apostles and it comes after new serious health problems for one of the band members. This time, it is Michael Sweet who suffered from a detached retina and who had to wear, during several months, a blindfold worthy of the best pirate movies.
"The Final Battle" offers once again a collection of varied and unstoppable pieces, marrying efficiency with melody and proving that a metal band can perfectly possess an unavoidable trademark without going in circles. Of course, the elements remain the same and Stryper alternates incandescent and scathing tracks with the shining reflections of a Judas Priest ('Transgressor') and tracks more focused on captivating melodies endowed with catchy choruses ('Same Old Story'). However, no feeling of repetition can be aroused when listening to these eleven finely cut gems. Even the ballad 'Near' is unstoppable and shows an efficiency placing it among the best sweetnesses written by the Sweet brothers' gang.
Between 'Transgressor' launching the preaching with a superhuman scream of Michael Sweet and 'Ashes To Ashes' sending the pilgrims back to their daily activities on the same razor-sharp bases, we will note some verses more unavoidable than the others. In the register of heavy and martial mid-tempi, 'See No Evil, Hear No Evil' and 'Out, Up & In' trample the miscreants without mercy and show a reptilian rhythmic in which Perry Richardson confirms that he is indeed the talented and invested bass player that Stryper was missing. Among the most enchanting sermons, 'Till Death Do Us Part' is a new demonstration that power and melodies can perfectly cohabit for an irresistible result. Finally, the gleaming 'Rise To The Call' brings out the epileptic drums and the sharp guitars.
So of course, once again, some will have to get past the proselytizing of the band. For others, you'll have to ignore the distinctive voice of a Michael Sweet, as impressive for some as it is unbearable for others. But if you are able to go beyond them, then you will be able to enjoy a new complete and accomplished work of a band that seems to age like a good wine. Mature and sure of his strength, Stryper will be able to convert you to a metal as sharp as luminous, even if you are not sensitive to his words. - Official website
|
|
|
|
|
TRACK LISTING:
01. Transgressor - 4:25
02. See No Evil, Hear No Evil - 4:54
03. Same Old Story - 4:10
04. Heart & Soul - 4:00
05. Near - 4:53
06. Out, Up & In - 4:12
 07. Rise To The Call - 3:47
08. The Way, The Truth, The Life - 3:54
09. No Rest For The Wicked - 4:22
10. Till Death Do Us Part - 3:54
11. Ashes To Ashes - 3:53
LINEUP:
Michael Sweet: Chant / Guitares
Oz Fox: Guitares
Perry Richardson: Basse
Robert Sweet: Batterie
Paul Mcnamara: Claviers / Invité
|
|
| |
|
(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top of the page
|
| |
|
|
(0) COMMENT(S)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
READERS
-/5 (0 view(s))
|
STAFF:
3.7/5 (3 view(s))
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
IN RELATION WITH STRYPER
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
OTHER REVIEWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT STRYPER
|
|