STRYPER
Gas Monkey, Dallas, TX
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Review and Photography by Thomas Rosas
A long line of fans wrapped around Gas Monkey Live on February 15, 2020 waiting to see the legendary Christian rock band Stryper. As the doors opened at 8pm the anxious crowd of fans began to pack the venue. Though the crowd consisted of what appeared to be long-time loyal fans that had followed the band from the 80’s, there were also a generation of new fans ranging from 10 years of age to young adults in their 20’s.
Before the crowd was be blessed by the talents of Stryper, they had the pleasure of watching two local Dallas bands, Infidel Rising and Millennial Reign perform. Both bands played a short set of about 20 minutes but within that time they each punched out some fantastic power metal music that may draw influence from such great classic acts as Fates Warning, Queensryche, and Crimson Glory. Each band definitely showcased their talents and if they ever make a stop into your town be sure to check them out. You won’t be disappointed.
For someone who has been attending rock concerts since 1983, the one thing I look forward to each time is seeing how a band performs live. Immediately after the second act, I was anxious to see Stryper perform. So many times we see bands from the 80’s “stay too long at the party” and I was curious to see if Stryper could still perform at such a high level, particularly the vocals. The vocals that Michael Sweet recorded on their albums from 1984 through 1990 are not something that cannot easily be replicated. Especially 30 years later.
The house lights drop and cheers from the crowd erupt as the operatic sounds of “Yahweh” blast from the speakers. Drummer Robert Sweet emerges from the back and sits behind his sideways-facing kit as vocalists/guitarist Michael Sweet, guitarist Oz Fox, and bassist Perry Richardson all join on stage and proceed to shred through the heavy anthem off of their 2015 album Fallen. “Yahweh” leads into the heavy riff-driven song “The Valley” which appears off what I believe to be one of their heaviest and best albums to date, God Damn Evil.
“Yahweh” and “The Valley” would be the only two songs they would play from the most recent albums. Although most fans just want to hear the hits, I really would have loved to hear more from No More Hell to Pay, Fallen and God Damn Evil. From the rest of the show on, it was a rundown of hit after hit from their classic albums from 1984 through 1990. As they ran through each song the crowd joined in and accompanied Michael Sweet through verses of “Calling on You,” “Free,” “Loving You,” which eventually lead to the audience leading the vocals through the first verse of “Honestly.”
Michael Sweet is in a group that not many vocalists belong. After 30 plus years he still has an amazing voice that can pull some of the challenging and classic Stryper songs that we all love to hear. In addition to his great vocals, Michael Sweet absolutely shreds on guitar. Add the talents of Oz Fox and you have a guitar duo that should be ranked up there with the great likes of Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo of Queensryche, Glenn Tipton and KK Downing of Judas Priest and Adrian Smith and Dave Murray of Iron Maiden.
If you’re wondering if Stryper can still perform at the same level as they did when rock ruled the ’80s the answer is a definitive yes. Not only should they continue to hang at the party but they need to lead this party straight through 2020 and beyond.
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About the Author and Photographer
