Throne of Thorns is the eighteenth studio album by the American metal band Stryper,
released on Frontiers Records in September 2024. The album was written and produced by band member Michael Sweet. The album was recorded and mixed by Danny Bernini at Spirithouse Recording Studio in Northampton, Massachusetts. Additional engineering and editing by Kenny Lewis.
Stryper is
Michael Sweet on lead vocals, as well as lead and rhythm guitar; Oz Fox on lead and rhythm guitar, as well as vocals; Perry Richardson on bass and vocals; and Robert Sweet on drums and percussion. Additional background vocals provided by Charles Foley and Keith Pittman. Keyboards, organ, and Moog synthesizer provided by Paul McNamara.
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. [Bert Saraco, The Phantom Tollbooth, 30 October 2026]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/throne-of-thorns/6777141220)
CD tracklist:
01. Throne Of Thorns
02. Here In Your Heart
03. Falling
04. I’m Alright (I’m Okay)
05. Waiting For You
06. Carry The Flame
07. Hollywood
08. Beautifully Broken
09. Ashes To Roses
10. Alone Again
11. Shadowbreaker
Note:
Released on both CD and 12-inch vinyl LP by Frontiers Records, with the vinyl edition housed in a gatefold sleeve with lyrics printed on the inside. (Also available pressed on Limited Edition colored vinyl; Tiffany Blue, Orange Marbled, Black/Yellow split, and Yellow/Black Splatter)
“Here In Your Heart” (MUSIC VIDEO)