Description
In God We Trust is the fourth album by the American glam metal band Stryper, released on Enigma Records in June 1988, with distribution by The Benson Company in the CCM market. The album was produced by Michael Lloyd and the band for Mike Curb Productions.
Stryper has quickly proven how large the market is for good metal rock with a positive Christian message. ‘In God We Trust’ brings the metal missionaries back with a hook-laden offering of metal, pop, and ballads that’s sure to increase their loyal following.
From the opening title cut, there’s no doubt where these guys are coming from, as in brilliant harmony they sing out: “In God we trust/ In him we must believe/ In God we trust/ His Son we must receive.”
As for where their music is going, well, that’s another question. On their last outing, the platinum-selling ‘To Hell with the Devil‘, Stryper began to move away from their metal roots and into the forbidden zone of pop. ‘In God We Trust’ takes this evolution to the next step. Oh, there are still vestiges of metal days, a couple of crunching songs and the thundering drums of Robert Sweet. But Stryper has gone the road of Bon Jovi, or perhaps more accuratley, Styx.
From our perspective, Stryper’s mainstream evolution is okay; the headbangers’ loss may be Christ’s gain.
Stryper has defied the odds, successfully crossing over and achieving pop stardom while continuing to unashamedly carry the gospel to ears that may never hear it stated this clearly and strongly. What’s more, they show kids it’s all right to stand up for God in today’s permissive pagan world. In spite of some of the music’s shortcomings (and the songs’ lack of theological depth), it is a truly valuable ministry God has called Stryper to fulfill. And we salute them. [Devlin Donaldson and Steve Rabey, CCM, July 1988]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/in-god-we-trust/1444186126)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “In God We Trust” – 3:58
A2. “Always There For You” – 4:11
A3. “Keep The Fire Burning” – 3:35
A4. “I Believe In You” – 3:15
A5. “The Writings On The Wall” – 4:16
Side Two
B1. “It’s Up 2 U” – 3:52
B2. “The World Of You And I” – 3:46
B3. “Come To The Everlife” – 4:09
B4. “Lonely” – 4:10
B5. “The Reign” – 2:48
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Enigma Records.
The August 1988 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Stryper.
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