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| Concert Review |
| For complete local tour schedules and ticket info, please visit: |
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I have to be quite honest up front. I am not as familiar with
STRYPER as I would come across. In fact, before starting
ChristianMusicReview back in 2004, I had never even heard of
the band, that is until I was introduced through the solo album
Him, from Michael Sweet. It was then that I went back and
started listening to the 'old school' music known as STRYPER.
One thing that struck me with this band is their undying
dedication and loyalty to their fan base. Being at the pre-show
meet-n-greet with all of the 'hardcore' fans really opened my eyes
as to how a legendary band such as this still makes the time to
spend with the loyal 'yellow and black' legion. I saw more vinyls
at this show than I think I have in my entire life too!
STRYPER as I would come across. In fact, before starting
ChristianMusicReview back in 2004, I had never even heard of
the band, that is until I was introduced through the solo album
Him, from Michael Sweet. It was then that I went back and
started listening to the 'old school' music known as STRYPER.
One thing that struck me with this band is their undying
dedication and loyalty to their fan base. Being at the pre-show
meet-n-greet with all of the 'hardcore' fans really opened my eyes
as to how a legendary band such as this still makes the time to
spend with the loyal 'yellow and black' legion. I saw more vinyls
at this show than I think I have in my entire life too!
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Photo Caption:
STRYPER during the pre-show soundcheck
STRYPER during the pre-show soundcheck
As funny as it sounds, I don't really remember vinyl too much as CDs were just coming onto the scene when I
started to really get into the music. There were even those fans in attendance that wore old tour t-shirts dating
back to the 1986 To Hell With The Devil tour. Now that's dedication!
The 25th Anniversary tour featured two opening bands, one which I was very impressed with and the other,
well I really couldn't get 'into'. The opening act, Toronto-based rockers Manic Drive opened up the show with a
crazy set somewhat riminiscent of a Family Force 5 concert. I was most impressed with their electric stage
presence. Manic Drive performed "Walls" and "Music" from their recent release, Blue and even took a trip back
to the 80's for a medley featuring some Van Halen, Huey Lewis, Michael Jackson and even a little Duran Duran.
Flight Patterns was the second opening band to take the stage and while I certainly noticed that the talent of
Michael Sweet had rubbed off on his son Michael Jr., I wasn't really into the Relient K-type sound that the group
had offered. I guess it wasn't my 'cup of tea'. ;)
There was probably a 30-40 minute wait before STRYPER finally took the stage, which seemed like eternity -
but the next hour and a half that was to come was full of songs from the present and the past spanning an
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Photo Caption:
Michael Sweet, tuning his guitar during soundcheck
Michael Sweet, tuning his guitar during soundcheck
impressive 25 years. STRYPER opened the show up with an ear-blistering rendition of the their 1985 hit
"Soldiers Under Command", which really got the crowd pumped. Alot of the songs seemed to meld into one
another with the group going into the self-titled track from their new record Murder By Pride, then onto To Hell
With The Devil's "Free" and "Calling On You" before breaking into the Boston-cover "Piece of Mind".
Half way through the set, Michael stopped to throw some of the 'STRYPER' Bibles into the crowd, what I have
come to know as a staple of each live show. The band then went into "Four Leaf Clover" from the new album
(and my personal favorite) and then onto some of the more popular stuff of the past such as "Honestly" before
jumping back into ... Pride with the ballad, "Alive". The band even did a Christmas song, "Winter Wonderland"
before walking off stage. Of course an encore was needed to finish out the show... when the band came back
on stage for the last time, they went right into the last song of the evening... "To Hell With The Devil".
Overall, I had a great time. After seeing STRYPER in concert, I have really come to respect these guys even
more. Not only are they amazingly talented, but their goals with their music and treating it as a ministry is all but
"Soldiers Under Command", which really got the crowd pumped. Alot of the songs seemed to meld into one
another with the group going into the self-titled track from their new record Murder By Pride, then onto To Hell
With The Devil's "Free" and "Calling On You" before breaking into the Boston-cover "Piece of Mind".
Half way through the set, Michael stopped to throw some of the 'STRYPER' Bibles into the crowd, what I have
come to know as a staple of each live show. The band then went into "Four Leaf Clover" from the new album
(and my personal favorite) and then onto some of the more popular stuff of the past such as "Honestly" before
jumping back into ... Pride with the ballad, "Alive". The band even did a Christmas song, "Winter Wonderland"
before walking off stage. Of course an encore was needed to finish out the show... when the band came back
on stage for the last time, they went right into the last song of the evening... "To Hell With The Devil".
Overall, I had a great time. After seeing STRYPER in concert, I have really come to respect these guys even
more. Not only are they amazingly talented, but their goals with their music and treating it as a ministry is all but
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Photo Caption:
Oz getting ready for a pre-show & soundcheck
performance of "Reach Out"
Oz getting ready for a pre-show & soundcheck
performance of "Reach Out"
absent in the world of Christian rock/metal, and is desperately needed. Michael even closed out the evening in prayer, which was amazing! I think the one thing
that most impressed me about the show was how well Michael and Oz played together when it came to the dueling guitar solos. I was in utter amazement of
how these two could play these difficult and intricate solos together in unison without missing a note. I'm sorry, but that is true God-given talent!
The only complaint I would have to say I had about the entire night was how loud the sound system was, namely during STRYPER's set. I mean don't get me
wrong, I loved every minute of it, but I also left the venue that night partially deaf! My ears were ringing for three days!
All I can say is if you have an opportunity to catch one of the dates on STRYPER's 25th Anniversary Tour, then I would highly suggest going. This was,
believe it or not, my first STRYPER show and even in saying that, I have seen many bands in concert before, but this concert will remain one of the most
memorable in my mind. Truly amazing night of music.
that most impressed me about the show was how well Michael and Oz played together when it came to the dueling guitar solos. I was in utter amazement of
how these two could play these difficult and intricate solos together in unison without missing a note. I'm sorry, but that is true God-given talent!
The only complaint I would have to say I had about the entire night was how loud the sound system was, namely during STRYPER's set. I mean don't get me
wrong, I loved every minute of it, but I also left the venue that night partially deaf! My ears were ringing for three days!
All I can say is if you have an opportunity to catch one of the dates on STRYPER's 25th Anniversary Tour, then I would highly suggest going. This was,
believe it or not, my first STRYPER show and even in saying that, I have seen many bands in concert before, but this concert will remain one of the most
memorable in my mind. Truly amazing night of music.