Stryper Concert Review
Stryper proved they've still got it (and have plenty of live energy) to offer. They kicked off with one old ("Sing-Along Song") and two new ones ("Open Your Eyes" and "Make You Mine"), which set the tone for the night. Even though Michael talked and shared humorous anecdotes and the reason they were there, they were serious about kicking out the jams, often transitioning from one song to the other with barely a breath in between. We've come to expect that between the two great To Hell With The Devil tunes, "Calling On You" and "Free," but it was a pleasant surprise to hear 'em seemlessly go from "Loud 'N' Clear" to "Loving You."
New tunes like "Open Your Eyes," "Reborn" and "Make You Mine" really benefitted from the heavier vibe and breathing space that the live stage provided. The ballad "Passion" was set in the late middle part of the show, providing the perfect dynamics to get the attention that this sole ballad of the evening needed. At times the band sounded like the Human Clay era Creed (when they played the new songs); and they sounded just as tight and intense as ever with their older material. One highlight was hearing the "All For One" song from Against The Law. They ripped through their rockers as if they still had something to prove (or demons to exorcise with decibels alone) when they played tunes like "To Hell With The Devil" and "Soldiers Under Command" (even after the a cappela back and forth style intro by Michael, Oz, and the audience).
After winning the vote tally online, the band brushed off "The Rock That Makes Me Roll," and delivered it with gusto. Michael even hit some of those high notes at the end. Speaking of notes, Michael sounded consistent all night long. He stayed in a zone away from extreme highs or lows and kept belting it out all night. There was a moment in "Reach Out" where the pitch seemed a little different. The sound system took a little bit of the gusto out of the concert at times, where biting guitars were gated or suppressed to the point where they broke in and out, diminishing the aggressiveness of those great dueling guitar harmonies. 2003's US tour sounded a tad brighter. It's always a shame when a sound system steals some of the punch, but these guys didn't let it slow 'em down at all.
They did something very unusual for Stryper: giving solo spotlights to each member. I can't ever remember Oz Fox doing real guitar solos, but there he was wailing away. Robert showed off his speed and talent with his own solo; and then newcomer (but rock vet) Tracy Ferrie did kind of a bass solo thing with lots of reverb and distortion that introduced "Live Again." It sounded like a cross between the cool intro to "No More Tears" and the rumblings of "Faceless Man." Very cool.
The band used a sound byte from The Passion of the Christ (it sounded like the high priestly prayer from John 17) to introduce the stormin' track, "More Than A Man." It was cool how simple Michael broke down their message, stating that they hoped, "You guys remember two things when you leave: That Jesus loves you; and you can have a personal relationship with Him." Even though those thoughts can be as heavy as sin and they are very "bold," they were presented as just that (without many words leading up to or after), which makes the medicine much simpler to swallow and doesn't come off "preachy" at all. They ended the show with a prayer that was honest and a spoken blessing to the people in attendance and the La Zona Rosa club venue and staff. Very nice.
House of Heroes opened the show with about a 30-minute set that showed their vast improvement from debut to their latest album on Gotee Records. Combining post-punk almost emo sensibilities with the smooth melodic choruses of, say Weezer, their material and live performance is strong. It must be tough for a band like that to play in front of so many 30-plus middle-aged rockers, but they sounded really good.
Overall, the band was very into it, with lots of movement. It was a real show, but none of it was cheesy. Each member of the band was very animated and seemed to feed off the high energy of the crowd. They've sounded better (like the 7 Weeks: Live In America, 2003 album will attest, but Stryper is nevertheless still a strong live act.
Photos and Review by Doug Van Pelt
©2005 HM Magazine – All Rights Reserved
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Comments
No Winter Wonderland?
good review thanks dug
The song sung after the "Passion Sound Byte" was "The Way" other than that I found your review to be right on target.
By the way do you know yet if Stryper is coming to Austin on the acoustic tour? They were awesome.
hola son mi grupo favorito y los admiro mucho y me gustaria me contestaran
I saw the show on october at the cains ballroom in Tulsa,Oklahoma.it was awsome.
I saw them twice in 1989. once in Springfield,Missouri with White Lion,and then in Joplin,Missouri with Hurricane. remember them? White lion was better than hurricane I thought.
that was on October 11th.sorry.
Ireally like your magazine,keep up the good work.
Stryper's new album is o.k. if you like toned down music. It definetly is not one of their best album. Robert seems to play like he just started drumming. The new bassist can definetly play, but you'd never know it. The album sounded like a Michael Sweet album wrapped up with a Stryper logo on it. I'd give it a D+.
Saw Stryper in Sauget IL. on Oct 6th. Excellent show. It is amazing to me that this band continues to sound the way they do. Truly these guys have exceptional talent. Can't wait to see them again.
I was at the Charlotte show on October 30th and it was incredible!! I have listened to Stryper for 20 years, but this was my first show. I loved the fact that the guitars seemed to be toned down some for a harder sound especially on "All For One". Thanks Doug for the great magazine and interview!
I HAVE BEEN A STRYPER FAN EVER SINCE THEY STARTED. I BELIEVE THAT MICHAEL AND THE REST OF THE BAND ARE GOING TO RECEIVE LOADS OF CROWNS IN HEAVEN. STRYPER HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR CHRISTIAN ROCK AND BEACUSE OF THAT CHRISTIAN MUSIC OF ALL STYLES HAD COME ABOUT. WHEN IS STRYPER GOING TO COME THROUGH TO PLAY IN SOUTH AFRICA. WE ARE SO STARVED FOR GOOD BANDS TO PLAY. mETAILCA ARE COMING AND I WISH STRYPER COULD SHARE THE STADGE WITH THEM OR OTHER BANDS. HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS HAPPEN???? ANYWAY I THINK STRYPER ARE GREAT ALWAYS WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST ROCK BANDS OF ALL TIME AND THE NEAT THING IS THAT GOD GETS ALL THE GLORY
