Roseville, California’s Goldfields club saw the yellow and the black attack! No, not those guys, but the originals… Stryper! They took to the stage to a mixed crowd of young and old fans. Wow, I just called my age group old! Nearly 40 years ago Stryper began spreading the gospel, literally and figuratively through blistering dueling solos, pounding drums, high-octave vocals, and self-branded Bibles.
Once mocked for their fairly garish hair metal outfits and “Aquanet” looks, Stryper has endured and continues to release well-regarded albums and perform to tens of thousands yearly.
On this night the band sounded as good as they ever have. The newer songs blend in well with their classics. With hands raised, in all forms from peace signs, fists, the VH horns, and even a few devil horns to the heavens, the crowd sang and “air-guitared” their way through “Transgressor,” “Calling on You,” “Sorry,” “Yahweh,” “In God We Trust,” “To Hell with the Devil,” and thirteen more equally as impactful songs.
The brothers, Michael and Robert Sweet are as connected as any other famous guitar/drummer brothers. Bass player/ vocalist, Perry Richardson (what an addition), and lead guitar/vocalist Oz Fox match the intensity and abilities. If you have seen their video for “Always There For You” then you have seen one of the largest stages ever. They utilized every inch of it, well last night Stryper used every inch of the Goldfield stage much the same. However, it was used mostly by Robert!
Robert, as always, equals his drumming with showmanship, IMO greatly lost with many of today’s skin bashers. His cage is as epic as is his long-running unorthodox sideways setup. This setup only allowed Michael, Oz, and Perry to occupy the remaining space. These guys still require space to rock, so it was odd seeing them almost entirely in one place all evening. Don’t get me wrong, their stage still looked great, and they are second-to-none when it comes to branding.
Oz and Michael have been a tandem for almost the entire existence of the band and they are as important to the Stryper sound as the duos of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Speaking of one of those legacy metal bands, the song “Transgressor” is a song I wish that (*unnamed*) band could still write. Short, fast, and technically interesting. Give a listen, and a true fan will hear it immediately. That said, this song is all classic Stryper, not a clone at all. Seeing it live was a treat and their virtuosity throughout the evening is nothing short of inspiring
There was a good number of first-timers at the show as well as seasoned veterans who looked the part! Yellow and black were in calculated vogue this evening. All manner of that combination in one place was no different than being in an arena for one of those legacy metal acts!
All-in-all a Stryper show is a community gathering of many “faith-friendly” fans. It is not to say that fans of dueling guitars and operatic vocals weren’t there just for the show, but Stryper hides nothing, nor have they since their humble beginnings in SoCal, nearly 40 years ago!
Treat yourself to a Stryper show if you are a metal fan. You won’t get struck down by a lightning bolt, I promise! Even if God ain’t your thing, you’ll be glad you did.
Their 40th Anniversary tour is set for 2024!!!
Setlist via setlist.fm
Sing-Along Song
Loving You
More Than a Man
Surrender
Calling on You
Free
In God We Trust
Revelation
Sorry
Transgressor
All for One
Always There for You
Divider
No Rest for the Wicked
No More Hell to Pay
The Valley
Yahweh
Soldiers Under Command
To Hell With the Devil
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WORDS BY ANTONIO PAGLIASSOTtO