Stryper - Soldiers Under Command (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

Stryper's hardest rocking album

kaluahjeff | Los Angeles, Ca United States | 01/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've never been a Christian or religious person, but i've always been a big fan of Stryper for years. Their first album "The Yellow & Black Attack" is a classic heavy metal album, but misses a more polished sound that Soldiers Under Command delivers. This album has the perfect blend of great metal songs such as "Soldiers Under Command", "The Rock That Makes Me Roll", "Surrender", "Together Forever", more pop-like metal songs such as "Waiting for a Love That's Real", and of course the great Stryper ballads including "First Love". Stryper is a group that any real 80's heavy metal fan can enjoy because their musicianship was top notch, one of THE best during the hayday of metal, and to today. And their songs simply rock, with great melodies and harmonies. Their later albums "To Hell With The Devil" and "In God We Trust" were great albums too, but a bit more pop-oriented for my liking. Soldiers Under Command is the best Stryper album to date in my humble opinion, and definately worth the buy! Get it now."

This album smokes!

rnorton828 | Riverbend, IL | 05/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Soldiers Under Command" was my introduction not only to Stryper, but to Christian rock/metal music itself. "Soldiers" was the first Christian tape I bought during my first year of college (Fall '85) after hearing some guys cranking up Stryper records in our dorm. And what an intro! "Soldiers" was, and remains, a great album, produced & engineered by Michael Wagner, who has worked with the likes of Dokken, Accept & Alice Cooper. This is where I first experienced the songwriting & vocal mastery of Michael Sweet, the blistering guitar leads of both Sweet & Oz Fox, and the formidable rhythm section of bassist Timothy Gaines & drummer Robert Sweet. Standout tracks include the title track, plus "Makes Me Wanna Sing," "Reach Out," "First Love" & "Surrender." Buying this album then opened me up to other Christian artists/bands (rock & pop, as well as metal) as well as going back to "The Yellow & Black Attack" album. This was my first Stryper album, and it remains in a virtual tie with "To Hell with the Devil" for my overall favorite."

Strong 2nd album

Music Lover | USA | 02/02/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Stryper rode the success of their first release "The Yellow and Black Attack" into a better recording experience for Soldiers Under Command and it shows. The album starts off with the title song and it doesn't stop moving from there. Their sound is and will always be the straight ahead hard rock of the 80's hair metal days. To say that Christian music hadn't seen anything like them is an under statement. I remember being around 12 years old hearing about these long haired, make up wearing, yellow and black spandex wearing people that threw out New Testament bibles at their concerts and thinking I have to check this out! Each and every song is good and has that mid 80's heavy metal sound that was copied and recopied by many bands. If you enjoyed the 80's hair metal days pick up this album."

"I come not to bring peace...but a sword" - Christ

W. Malone | 08/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a masterpeice in every respect, harmonizing guitars, top notch production, great songs. Has anyone else noticed that George Michael used the intro to "Waiting for a love that's real" for his song "Faith"? That's okay because I think Stryper took it from that old hymn, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet". I think that was on purpose though; turning a hymn into heavy metal. It worked very well. There isn't one bad song on this entire album. It's classic Stryper that thousands of Christian rock bands would later trip over themselves trying to clone (unsuccessfully). As far as the guy in Flagstaff who can't understand this album cover and says that "Christ is the Prince of Peace", you need to read your Bible again my friend. I think you missed some chapters. Christ HIMSELF said, "I come not to bring peace but a sword". For anyone to hear this album and then attack Stryper for their "lack of Christian commitment" is ludicrous. Peace has a price. That price often involves war. Peace requires a commitment to do whatever is necessary. Christ said, "I have come to turn brother against brother". Does that sound like peace to you? Stryper made their point crystal clear. What more do you want? Religious people can be so annoying with their judgemental ignorance. I met all the guys in Stryper on more than one occasion and used to rehearse with my band nextdoor to Michael Sweet in Anaheim. They are the real deal. I genuinely felt sorry for the amount of garbage dumped on them from so-called Christians. If they weren't real Christians, then they wouldn't have been persecuted so much. Instead of finger pointing, maybe 'Flagstaff' should rejoice that someone is spreading the good news of salvation at all. Who cares if they are holding M16's? Where's your sense of humor? Lighten up. It takes a gimmick sometimes to get noticed. Christ used miracles, and Stryper used costumes and props to get noticed. Just read all the reviews from those who's lives have been touched by Stryper, and if you still don't get it then maybe you should remove the plank from your eye."

ESSENTIAL STRYPER ALBUM

W. Malone | 12/10/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For fans of Stryper this is a must have album. It features essential songs by the band such as "Soldiers Under Command" "Reach Out" "Surrender" and "Together Forever" as well as underrated songs like "The Rock That Makes Me Roll" and "(Waiting For)A Love That's Real." This album is also one of Stryper's heaviest albums. This album was a huge success for Stryper and the title track was even transcribed in Guitar World magazine. That was unheard of at the time as Stryper was considered a Christian band and the magazine mainly covered secular artists like Ratt,Van Halen, and White Lion.

Although the album To Hell With The Devil is considered the breakthrough for Stryper and was their biggest seller, Soldiers Under Command should not be overlooked. If you are looking for a Stryper album that has great music and strong,bold lyrics and to see the beginings of a band that would eventually make the platinum album To Hell With The Devil then look no further. This is the album to buy.

Stand Out songs "(Waiting For)A Love That's Real" "Together As One" "The Rock That Makes Me Roll""

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