Stryper "The Final Battle" thoughts

Soldier777 wrote:Temple of Blood and cailen, do you guys rank In God We Trust high? Its near the bottom for me around #9 in ranking the 12  original Stryper albums. There are many albums that are way better than IGWT.

I rank it at the top.

Other albums they did were "heavier" but not better.  Worse songwriting and performances.

I don't want just heavy for its own sake.  I want it done well.

Raegoul wrote:

Temple of Blood wrote:I've only heard a few songs but so far it sounds like the best they've done since IGWT.

So you didn‘t like Against The Law? 

Nope.

The fact that there is so little consensus about the ranking of these albums alone shows how great that catalogue is. There‘s something for everyone and no real stinkers.

Raegoul wrote:The fact that there is so little consensus about the ranking of these albums alone shows how great that catalogue is. There‘s something for everyone and no real stinkers.

This forum does not represent the vast majority of casual people who have listened to Stryper.

Be honest, after IGWT they became a niche band.

(But many bands I like are niche)

Temple of Blood wrote:

Raegoul wrote:The fact that there is so little consensus about the ranking of these albums alone shows how great that catalogue is. There‘s something for everyone and no real stinkers.

This forum does not represent the vast majority of casual people who have listened to Stryper.

Be honest, after IGWT they became a niche band.

(But many bands I like are niche)

True, but if we’re saying they’re niche based on commercial viability, aside from 80s Stryper, 2000s POD and Underoath, all Christian metal is niche.

I'm a casual Stryper lustener but can't stand any album until Reborn and really only like the last 5.

"Alexia. Stop."

"Yes, Mr Jestson."

I tried. Glad you fans dig it though.

Condescending much?

Black Rider wrote:Condescending much?

No reallly... I think Stryper fans are really rather sweet. I'm really happy for you that you enjoy the album. May you have many hours of listening pleasure

Temple of Blood wrote:

Raegoul wrote:The fact that there is so little consensus about the ranking of these albums alone shows how great that catalogue is. There‘s something for everyone and no real stinkers.

This forum does not represent the vast majority of casual people who have listened to Stryper.

Be honest, after IGWT they became a niche band.

(But many bands I like are niche)

After IGTW every metal band became a niche band because grunge blew up.

Dustofyears wrote:

Black Rider wrote:Condescending much?

No reallly... I think Stryper fans are really rather sweet. I'm really happy for you that you enjoy the album. May you have many hours of listening pleasure

Not only the fans, the singer and drummer are Sweet as well.

mothy wrote:I'm a casual Stryper lustener but can't stand any album until Reborn and really only like the last 5.

Lustener? 

Raegoul wrote:

mothy wrote:I'm a casual Stryper lustener but can't stand any album until Reborn and really only like the last 5.

Lustener? 

Maybe he meant closet Stryper listener. 




I know I know... I'll see my self out. 


No wait, I mean I'll drag myself to the exit.

No wait...

Why is the rhythm guitar sound so thin?  I know this is Stryper and not Crowbar but still ...

mothy wrote:I'm a casual Stryper lustener but can't stand any album until Reborn and really only like the last 5.

You probably represent 1% of Stryper listeners then.

I have many unpopular opinions as well.

Temple of Blood wrote:

mothy wrote:I'm a casual Stryper lustener but can't stand any album until Reborn and really only like the last 5.

You probably represent 1% of Stryper listeners then.

I have many unpopular opinions as well.

Let’s revive the unpopular opinions thread! 

Friday13th wrote:

Temple of Blood wrote:

Raegoul wrote:The fact that there is so little consensus about the ranking of these albums alone shows how great that catalogue is. There‘s something for everyone and no real stinkers.

This forum does not represent the vast majority of casual people who have listened to Stryper.

Be honest, after IGWT they became a niche band.

(But many bands I like are niche)

True, but if we’re saying they’re niche based on commercial viability, aside from 80s Stryper, 2000s POD and Underoath, all Christian metal is niche.

"Against the Law" was released in 1990 and could've been huge if they had played their cards right.  I was a big Stryper fan when that came out and that album was such a dud.

IIRC Michael Sweet says he does not think grunge killed hair metal (for lack of a better term) and if Stryper had carried on that they could've done well during the 90s.

I think perhaps a bigger factor than grunge was the impact of Soundscan on what stores ordered and consequently what got airplay.

Admittedly it is hard to define when a band becomes niche but the impact IGWT had versus where they were around the time of Fallen is night and day.

My point is that polling a band's own forum (which is basically what this place is) for what the best albums were doesn't represent the casual rock fans' opinions, and theirs count for more because they are far larger in number.

Pethead wrote:

Temple of Blood wrote:

mothy wrote:I'm a casual Stryper lustener but can't stand any album until Reborn and really only like the last 5.

You probably represent 1% of Stryper listeners then.

I have many unpopular opinions as well.

Let’s revive the unpopular opinions thread! 

I don't wanna get banned (yet).

I could actually see TFB becoming my favorite Stryper album. It’s so good.

Against the Law is my favorite of the era, had grit and was less polished. And I don't know how Stryper is niche unless you think every band of that era and style is. They are still popular.

Black Rider wrote:Against the Law is my favorite of the era, had grit and was less polished. And I don't know how Stryper is niche unless you think every band of that era and style is. They are still popular.

In the mid/late 80s Stryper was selling as much just as Judas Priest (a platinum album and 2 gold), nowadays Judas Priest is selling far more.

They're doing better than some 80s bands certainly, and they're still the #1 selling Christian metal band.

MagnusPrime wrote:

Raegoul wrote:

mothy wrote:I'm a casual Stryper lustener but can't stand any album until Reborn and really only like the last 5.

Lustener? 

Maybe he meant closet Stryper listener. 




I know I know... I'll see my self out. 


No wait, I mean I'll drag myself to the exit.

No wait...

LOL Thats what I get for typing from my phone..... roast on gentlemen

Bought my CD from the Stryper shop and just got it in the mail. I love it. Their best since Fallen and it has everything I hoped for.

While I had hoped this would be amazing, it isn't grabbing me after two listens.  I want to give it a third try soon when I can crank it loud!