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Stryper: When We Where Kings
Stryper - When We Where Kings Album Art

Stryper: When We Where Kings

Melodic Metal Rock
4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 11.09.2024 | Released: 13.09.2024

Christian metal pioneers and legends Stryper celebrate their 40 anniversary in the biz with a new album, When We Where Kings and a major three month American tour. This comes on the heels of the self-released To Hell With The Amps, an acoustic album of popular Stryper songs, including a version of Amazing Grace.

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Stryper

First observations after a spin or two, finds me suggesting that, one, When We Where Kings is far superior to it's electric predecessor, The Final Battle, which I found too heavy and brooding. Two, this album, while heavy also, leans into more song melody, vocal harmony, big refrains, and more epic Oz Fox guitar solos. This classic Stryper melodic metal rock without the sugary pop sound of their early Eighties agenda.


Speaking to a few songs, the aforementioned strength of song melody and vocal harmony is self-evident within Rapture, Love's Symphony, Grateful, and the impossibly catchy title track, When We Where Kings, an homage to their earlier roots. Of Christian references are also self-evident as with End Of Days and Trinity, both of which turn upon an almost power metal speed and groove. More heavy, steady, and thumping numbers arrive with Unforgivable, Divided By Design, and Betrayed By Love, which could also pass as a ballad.

Two final observations are required. Michael Sweet's voice is in fine form here, simply because, for his range and timbre, Stryper music is his first best context (as opposed to Sunbomb). Second, Oz Fox is a fine, perhaps even underrated, guitarist and his solos across this album are terrific. You could buy this album based simply upon his work.

All said, When We Where Kings finds Stryper, after 40 years, in excellent form, delivering entertaining album of their classic melodic metal rock with Christian themes, great hooks in song melody and refrains, and epic guitar solos. Recommended!



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The Take Away

All said, When We Where Kings finds Stryper, after 40 years, in excellent form, delivering entertaining album of their classic melodic metal rock with Christian themes, great hooks in song melody and refrains, and epic guitar solos. Recommended!

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