Stryper's New Album 'God Damn Evil' will be released 4/20/18

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

3 pages of discussion is exactly why Sweet did this. We're all talking about it, good or bad.

The same thing happened w/ THWTD

This would happen no matter what IMO

People would still talk about it if the song was just plain kickass, and not rely on some quirky display for attention.

Still loving it!

The thing that seals the deal for me is the use of layers and echoes in the chorus, and the way they push the lines longer.

I mean, I think that you can separate pros from amateur vocalists by listening how they finish their lines. Some people can bring in that one bit of extra power for the end delivery and I think that is really showing here. Some kinda finish the delivery a bit too early, or at least lose the power, but just like in Saved by Love in No More Hell to Pay Michael really belts it out in the parts that really need it.

This could be done horribly, but they've done fantastic job in producing that exact part of the song. Every third "take it to the cross" has this nice little added energy in the delivery on the word "cross" - the first round has just a bit of extra energy in the delivery while the second round brings in the "croo-ooooooss" and the echoes or whatever effects there are give another punch of extra energy.

It's hard to explain but there is this awesome sense of making something borderline laughable but giving it this attitude of NO REGRETS and giving absolute full commitment to it. I love it!

If only the verses were better then the song could be an absolute masterpiece. As it is, I think the verses are maybe a bit on the average side. Stryper is able to make more memorable melodies and riffs than that.

The chorus is what makes the song stand out for me. Not ashamed of that!

Fat Freddy wrote:

TAKE IT TO THE CROSS TAKE IT TO THE CROSS TAKE IT TO THE CROSS TAKE IT TO THE CROSS!!!!

This is hilarious though
And the thought of that kinda makes me like it even more!

Song is ok, nothing special. Hopefully the album will have better songs.

https://stores.portmerch.com/stryper/
Preorders up. Yellow vinyl already sold out.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

The opening riff reminded me of Sabbath's 'Children of the Grave". As for the chorus, I was reminded of this fella jacked up on caffeine...

Just try to listen to it and not think of the Great Cornholio.

I've never been much of a Stryper fan anyhow, and this song doesn't do much to sway that opinion.

The opening riff is Children of the Grave and the only good thing about this horrific car crash of a song.

I respect Stryper and even like some songs but........ What the hell were they thinking!!

I seen someone point out that the riff is also almost identical to King Diamond's The Trees Have Eyes.

Troublezone wrote:

I seen someone point out that the riff is also almost identical to King Diamond's The Trees Have Eyes.

That's a good spot but tbh that riff borrows heavily from Children of the Grave too It sound like the riff on A Cry From the Crypt by Candlemass too (Which also rips off pays tribute to COTG)

It's weird when a Christian metal band reminds me of Black Sabbath, King Diamond, Candlemass and Bathory!

OK, I'll weigh in.

I've never liked Stryper.  I've always hated the vocals.  To me the best thing they've ever done is "Walking In A Winter Wonderland" (which I have on white vinyl).

With that out of the way, I don't think this "Take It To The Cross" song is any more terrible than the rest of their catalog.  Sure the chorus takes a swift turn into "WTF Land" but at least it makes the song interesting as opposed to just another "meh" power metal Stryper song. 

I give them credit for at least shaking their normal formula up a bit.  But that said, I still don't really like the song because, well apart from the chorus, it sounds like Stryper.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Ouch. Yeah, that chorus is irritating...

Very irritating.

The song sounds like  typical Michael Sweet crap... No interest in this album in any way

If they made a whole album of songs like The Way and Soldiers Under Command, I would be a lot more interested. No wacky Beavis vocals...

Y’all can shut your pie holes!!

"wacky Beavis vocals.."
😂😂😂

Big Rich wrote:

Y’all can shut your pie holes!!

You said pie hole. Huh huh

Take it in the crotch!

Eyesore wrote:

Take it in the crotch!

After listening to it several times its growing on me more. The vocal delivery on the chorus isn't what bothers me, I'm fine with it. It's the sudden time change without any flow or transition to it.If they had slowed it down to match the tempo of the rest of the song it wouldn't sound as irritating.

I knew Perry wasn't going to be on this album because of prior scheduling conflicts. But is ANYONE on bass on this album? I don't here it on this recording! Sounds like a demo to me...

glassprison wrote:

I knew Perry wasn't going to be on this album because of prior scheduling conflicts. But is ANYONE on bass on this album? I don't here it on this recording! Sounds like a demo to me...

John O' Boyle.

I'm surprised that Michael Sweet described this album as borderline thrash. It's not even close... This song is merely a Sabbath style riff. I actually would love to hear them play fast instead of a mid pace tempo.

Troublezone wrote:

If they made a whole album of songs like The Way and Soldiers Under Command, I would be a lot more interested. No wacky Beavis vocals...

I agree, for the most part I haven't cared for anything they've done since Against the Law.

Glad I popped back in - great thread.... Love FF's Cartman meme.....

I thought the new track was OK until the chorus.. wow, that is just bad.... Eric Cartman wrote better choruses on the faith + 1 album.... Solos were cool.

Title - Yawn, doesn't flow well. The title is paying off for promotion of the new album. But, its funny to watch the Christian right get their panties in a bunch over the title... As usually, they don't get the joke.

I do look forward to the rest of the album and will buy first day buyer (as usual!)

I want to hear the full production on CD, but sounds like the same production as the past few albums.

As far as that wacky chorus goes... it's one of Michael's first attempts outside of the typical Stryper formula, so maybe he'll take note and get it right next time. It's just out of place and forced. It doesn't flow with the song at all.

Thrasher73 wrote:

After listening to it several times its growing on me more. The vocal delivery on the chorus isn't what bothers me, I'm fine with it. It's the sudden time change without any flow or transition to it.If they had slowed it down to match the tempo of the rest of the song it wouldn't sound as irritating.

Good point.  I agree.