Stryper -- Murder by Pride
Big 3 Records
www.stryper.com

Rating: B

The holy rollers of rock have returned with a new CD titled Murder By Pride.  Bandleader Michael Sweet has abandoned the ‘let’s sound modern’ attitude that the band took on their last release and returned to the style of rock that first made them famous.  “Eclipse For the Son” is a furious rocker that has Stryper’s trademark speed freak guitar licks laced throughout.  “4 Leaf Clover” follows in much the same style.  The guitar solos on this album are fast and plentiful. 

Sweet gives a tip of the hat to his other band, Boston, and even invites boss Tom Scholz to play guitar on the Boston classic “Peace of Mind.”  This turns out to be one of the highlights on the CD.  The sound mixes Scholz and Sweet perfectly and brings a new musical dimension to the tune.  “Murder By Pride” is another rocker worthy of fists pumping in the air.  “I Believe” is a heart felt churchy ballad, fitting in nicely as one would expect from this band of Christians. 

There is a definite religious overtone to the CD, however, it is much more subtle than in the past.  Sweet prefers to use the method of attraction through music rather than pounding one over the head this time around – and it works much better.  This is a rock album with a message.  And that is okay.   

Sweet seems to be at a point in his life where he has taken stock and is doing the things that he loves and cherishing life, despite it’s sometimes cruel twists of fate.  The message here is that life is worth living despite the fact that life will, in fact, eventually kill you.  Sweet understands that there is more to the divine plan than meets the eye.  Sweet is living for the moment and the music on Murder By Pride reflects the insights he has learned about the human condition.  

This may be the most complete album Stryper has ever made.   

By Jeb Wright