Stryper - Throne of Thorns
Throne of Thorns
If you’re already a fan, then Throne of Thorns will check all of the boxes for a classic Stryper album…
Throne of Thorns
Stryper
Frontiers Music
11 tracks / 40:46
When a band has several decades under their collective belts, they’re beyond the realm of comparison to other groups or genre categories. Stryper is one of those bands. Sure, they’re most closely associated with Heavy Metal, but to try to pigeonhole their sound to that category simply doesn’t work – Michael Sweet’s songwriting is too well-informed by pop, the songs have too many hooks, there’s too much rich harmony to be confined to the narrow definition of metal band. Still, there’s the undeniable vocal style, the relentless, propulsive drumming, and the wailing, blistering guitar solos. So, what is this sound that lead vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet, drummer Robert Sweet, guitarist/vocalist Oz Fox, and bass player/vocalist Perry Richardson create? It’s Stryper music. Throne of Thorns is an album of Stryper music, continuing the tradition that started with Roxx regime back in 1981 and is still evolving and maturing in 2026.
If you’re already a fan, then Throne of Thorns will check all of the boxes for a classic Stryper album. The opening and closing tracks – “Throne of Thorns” and “Shadowbreaker,” respectively – begin with furious drum licks, feature heart-pounding drums, the signature Stryper guitar tone (including those amazing harmony licks), rich group vocals, and Michael’s distinctive metal-opera singing -yes, including one of his amazing screams on the closing track. The nine songs between the opener and closer all feature these aspects of the band’s sound in different combinations including the heavy but slower paced “Waiting For You,” the ‘rock ballad’ of the set.
Of course, the lyrical content remains solidly Christian in content but esoteric enough to provoke thought from believer and casual listener alike. From “Here in Your Heart” –
‘I'm here in your heart
The light in the dark
The roar that remains
The joy through the pain
I'm here
In your heart “
Michael Sweet’s production is solid and no-frills, letting the individual contributions combine nicely to create a heavy but crisp sounding album. The songs are tight, with good performances all around (it should be noted that Oz Fox is currently touring with the band but didn’t play on the album due to health reasons – all guitars are by Michael).
So here we have Stryper – very much their own brand some 45 years after beginning as Roxx Regime. The guitars still crunch and wail, the vocal harmonies still make you want to sing along, the hooks are still there - and Michael can still produce those impossible screams. Throne of Thorns – boxes checked.
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- Bert Saraco
4 tocks
You can see Bert’s concert photography - including pictures of Stryper - at www.facebook.com/express.image
