Stryper - The Yellow & Black Attack

Released in 1984

During the early 80's there was a significant condemnation of hard rock and metal music from many televangelists, parents, etc. Rather than judge each band on the merits of their lyrical content or philosophies, some fundamentalist Christians insisted that the genre itself was evil and suited for the devil. Stryper, a Christian band, challenged that misguided attitude in 1984 with the release of their debut album, The Yellow & Black Attack.

Although some metal fans accused Stryper of being a novelty act due to their strong religious beliefs, these rockers were the real deal. Behind the positive and often religious lyrics lies a solid foundation of hair metal that embraces a polished melodic sound, similar to bands like Def Leppard and Europe. Luckily the band was able to promote Christianity without sounding overly preachy, so their work appealed to both religious and secular audiences.

Some of the album highlights are:

From Wrong To Right – Solid rocker that perfectly demonstrates lead singer Michael Sweet's distinctive voice. The chorus is also a highlight, packing a catchy punch.
C'mon Rock – Anyone that claims Stryper can't play metal clearly never listened to this loud, anthemic track infused with roaring guitars and layered choruses.
You Won't Be Lonely – This syrupy track doesn't reach the same heights of melodic bliss as their future offerings/albums would, but it's a noteworthy song that does evince the band's knack for crafting gorgeous ballads.

The Yellow & Black Attack is a solid album that should please most 80's hair metal fans, but it's not representative of the band's best work. The polish and melody that the band became known for is noticeable here, but not to the same level as their later, more mature works. While this may be a liability for fans of their later, more popular albums, those metal fans that are turned off by Stryper's glossy production values may actually better appreciate The Yellow & Black Attack's slightly rawer, more guitar-oriented sound.

Rating: 6 stars

Track List

Loud 'N' Clear
From Wrong to Right
My Love I'll Always Show
You Know What to Do
C'mon Rock
You Won't Be Lonely
Loving You
Reason for the Season

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