Oh, HEEEEEEEYY!! Didn’t see you there. Come in, come in, and let’s chat.
About what? The new STRYPER album, of course.
Throne of Thorns is out now via Frontiers Music, and what can I say? The band has once again crafted a winning dish.
The opener and title track beautifully straddle the line between today’s STRYPER and the Soldiers Under Command era. And “Here in Your Heart” thumps along with a monstrous groove courtesy of Perry Richardson and Robert Sweet.
“Falling” was one of my favorites from jump, as was — and is — “I’m Alright (I’m Okay),” a tune that’ll stick with you long after it ends. Heck, I’m still humming that chorus! Michael Sweet once again climbs to the top of the vocal mountaintop, while the solos from Sweet and Oz Fox are just terrific.
One thing that struck me from the first spin — and still does — is the guitar work on this album. It’s crisp, sharp, and a perfect blend of heavy and melodic. “Waiting for You” comes along and softens things up a bit before “Carry the Flame” picks up the baton with a big-ass hook.
“Hollywood” is another one that stuck itself to my brain like the facehugger in Alien, making it yet another favorite. And oh man, what can I say about “Beautifully Broken”? That it would’ve dominated back in the days of Dial MTV?
Yep. That tracks!
On an album full of goodies, “Ashes to Roses” is one of the goodest — shush, it’s a word! — and such a killer song. “Alone Again” really showcases that guitar sound I touched on earlier and makes me wish I could see them live.
“Shadowbreaker” rips the roof off these festivities one last time and serves as a reminder that STRYPER ain’t done. Far from it. As long as they’re able, they’ll keep rockin’ you hard and fast.
If you haven’t already, go git your copy of Throne of Thorns, plug in, and let STRYPER “Rock the Hell Out of You.”
Why dontcha?
STANDOUT TRACKS: ALL OF THEM
RATING: 10/10
—THE MAESTRO
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