STRYPER is the essential Christian Melodic Rock/Metal band. Having been around since 1983 they are now presenting us with “When We Were Kings”, their 15th studio album to date. Reason that they didn’t make any more is the hiatus they created by disbanding in 1993, only to rise again in 2003. And as for line-up changes, except for original bassist Timothy Gaines, the rest has always stayed together. If you haven’t heard of these guys before, you have me wondering where in hell you have been throughout the years, as there is no way you could have missed them. Even if you don’t like what they stand for or the kind of music they make, you will have come across them at one stage or other. I still remember seeing them live at Dynamo Open Air in 1987. People who were there still recall the bibles that were thrown into the audience, and the insistent rain falling on that day.

I have liked them from the 1985 album “Soldiers Under Command”, where they blew me away. No, I am not a very religious person, but somehow, they got through to me. And my two favourite Christmas songs are “No Present For Christmas” by KING DIAMOND and the STRYPER version of “Winter Wonderland”. Shows you how old I am, and yes, I am proud of still loving the Metal scene beyond any other music. As for STRYPER themselves, their albums were not always as strong, but since their cover album “The Covering” from 2011 they haven’t made anything that wasn’t worth listening to. The thing is, when the music starts you will immediately be able to identify it as STRYPER. The way the riffing is done, the sound of the guitars, the structures of the songs and of course the very distinctive voice of Michael Sweet make sure you know who you’re listening to.

As far as the music on “When We Were Kings”, again there is nothing to criticise. Well, there is, and if anything it is that it sounds a lot like what they have made the last 11 years. But if that was a problem, I wouldn’t be able to say I like AC/DC, MOTÖRHEAD, ANVIL and such. The criticism is not in the quality of the songs, as again the band has been able to write bloody good ones, giving us 45 minutes of Christian Melodic Rock/Metal. What makes it all work is the variety in intensity and emotion that flow through the songs. These guys know when to go full hog, but also know when to hold back and mellow down a bit. That makes these guys a constant pleasure. At least, that is my opinion.