Description
Murder by Pride is a studio album by the American glam metal band Stryper, released on Big3 Records in July 2009. The album tracks were recorded by Danny Bernini at Longview Studios and Tongue & Groove Studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and at Spirit House in Northampton, Massachusetts; with Bernini and band member Michael Sweet producing. Mixed by Danny Bernini and Michael Sweet at Spirit House. Written and arranged by Michael Sweet.
Featuring Michael Sweet on vocals and guitar, Oz Fox on guitar, Tracy Ferrie on bass, and Kenny Aronoff on drums. Piano and keyboards provided by Paul McNamara with Danny Bernini providing percussion.
It’s been twenty five years since Stryper’s The Yellow and Black Attack introduced the world to Christian glam/pop/metal, and here comes Michael Sweet, Oz Fox, and friends letting us know that they’re not done yet. They might not be squeezing into striped spandex anymore (thank you), but with their new album, Murder By Pride, Stryper proves that they’ve still got what it takes to produce the signature brand of music that they’ve become well-known for. If you’re a Stryper fan already you’ll be very happy with this return to form, and if you never liked the band in the first place, your eyes are already rolling and you’re looking for yellow-and-black ear plugs. Still – read on.
Sweet and Fox haven’t lost a beat over the years, and still have an amazing symbiotic musical relationship, playing fiery dual-guitar licks and trading off bursts of red-hot guitar solos as if they share the same musical brain. Michael Sweet still has the vocal chops to hit the Big Notes (and he hasn’t shied away from giving himself some challenging moments), to scream the screams, and to deliver the ballads with surprising vocal control, well-informed phrasing, and sensitivity. Without question, Murder By Pride gives you full-strength Stryper.
Although the upcoming 25th Anniversary tour will reportedly feature Robert Sweet on drums (and original member, Tim Gaines on bass), the principal drummer on Murder By Pride is Kenny Aronoff and the bass is handled by current band member, Tracy Ferrie. Aronoff’s powerful, thunderous playing compliments Ferrie’s driving, serpentine bass lines, giving Stryper a heavier, more rock-solid bottom-end than on previous outings.
Of the twelve tracks, ten are brand-new. With Michael Sweet having recently toured as Boston’s lead singer, the cover of Tom Scholz’ «Peace of Mind», with Scholz joining in on guitar, is a natural fit. «My Love (I’ll Always Show)» has ‘new’ Stryper covering ‘old’ Stryper – the song is from Stryper’s 1984 debut project, transformed here into a more musically aggressive, heavy rock and roll number.
The album’s remaining ten tracks are unmistakably Stryper songs, full of catchy riffs, operatic metal vocals, harmony-filled choruses, and plenty of pop-metal thunder. Sweet’s lyrics at first seem to be equal parts hormone and holiness, but repeated listening reveals that the scales tip more heavily toward the Heavenly. The most obvious ‘traditional’ love ballad is «Alive», which starts out with the words, “Listen – birds don’t sing anymore/ Waves don’t crash on the shore/ ‘Cause you don’t love me anymore,” sung with some of Sweet’s best vocal phrasing ever. The melodic, sweeping ballad brings us to a clever ending device, allowing the listener to mentally sing the last two ‘missing’ words, as the lyric ends, “Listen – the birds are singing once more/ The waves are crashing on shore/ ‘Cause you love me…” Somehow, the song avoids being corny – maybe because you’re the one who’ll silently add the ‘once more,’ at the end, and you’re certainly not corny, are you?
Lest you think that the guys have gone soft, rest assured that the album starts off with a bang («Eclipse For the Son» and «4 Leaf Clover») and immediately establishes the fact that Stryper still knows how to induce involuntary air-guitar playing and head banging. Without sacrificing their basic format, the band sounds more mature – more musically sure-footed, more introspective – less prone towards ‘us and them’ type lyrics. Self-doubt and weakness, topics not often expressed by posturing metal bands, is confessed in «The Plan», while total reliance on Christ is sung about on «Everything». Obviously, the inevitable maturity of simply living 25 more years of life (with its triumphs and tragedies) has brought a good balance to Sweet’s songwriting.
Sounding a lot like a metal version of Edgar Winter by the end of «Mercy Over Blame» (one of the album’s strongest tracks), Sweet sings, “When we all reach Heaven, There will be no shame/ ‘Cause when we stand before Him …It’s Mercy Over Blame.” On the other end of the spectrum, «Run In You», the most CCM-friendly track, is a respectably hooky radio-rock tune that has plenty of appeal.
Murder By Pride just might be Stryper’s most accessible, well-rounded project ever – certainly an album that no Stryper fan should pass up, a convincer for those who would too easily dismiss the band, and an excellent introduction for the uninitiated. [Bert Saraco, The Phantom Tollbooth, 2009]
After a comeback release in 2005 that saw them break from a classic Stryper sound, the pioneer American metal outfit return to their roots with an album that will please a large number of old fans. The album kicks off with two tracks that would not have sat out of place on ‘Soldiers Under Command‘. «Eclipse Of The Sun» features driving guitars, crunching chords and pounding drums. Add to this Michael Sweet showing that he can still scream with the best of them, and excellent harmonies throughout, the album is full of Stryper’s trademark sounds. With maturity the band have gained a tightness and polish that prevents the music appearing too dated and the title track provides variety in the form of an edgy metal cut with a thumping bass line. A cover of the Boston song «Peace Of Mind» features Boston’s guitarist Tom Scholz and is harder-edged than the original. I found the reworked «My Love (I’ll Always Show)» amongst the most enjoyable cuts. Although the words are the same as those found on the original version, the new tune could not be more different. After 25 years Stryper may have played it safe with this release, but they have also shown that that can still rock. [Ian Webber, Cross Rhythms, July 2009]
Girder Records Promo, 2023
Stryper is most celebrated Christian rock band there is. Anyone reading this most likely knows the impact that Stryper has had on the scene. From the soaring vocals of Michael Sweet, the guitar attack of Oz Fox to the visual timekeeping (a show all on its own) of Robert Sweet, this band plowed a lot of ground and few would debate their legacy or impact.
Murder by Pride was released in 2009, a powerful testament to the band’s enduring musical prowess and spiritual depth. With this album, Stryper returns to their classic sound, combining heavy guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and soaring vocals to create a collection of songs that are both musically intense and spiritually uplifting.
The album’s title, “Murder by Pride,” hints at the dangers of excessive pride and self-righteousness, themes that resonate strongly throughout the tracks. Through a blend of melodic metal and thoughtful lyrics, Stryper explores themes of redemption, faith, and the struggles of the human spirit. The album delves into the complexities of human nature, reflecting on the temptations and challenges that individuals face while striving for spiritual enlightenment.
One of the standout qualities of “Murder by Pride” is its emotional depth. The songs are not only musically rich but also lyrically profound, addressing universal themes of forgiveness, humility, and the battle between good and evil. Michael Sweet’s passionate vocals lead the way, conveying a range of emotions from vulnerability to unwavering conviction.
The album showcases Stryper’s ability to craft powerful ballads and hard-hitting anthems alike. Tracks like «4 Leaf Clover» and «My Love (I’ll Always Show)» display the band’s softer side, exploring themes of love and devotion. On the other hand, songs like «Eclipse of the Son» and «Alive» deliver intense guitar solos and dynamic rhythms, capturing the essence of Stryper’s trademark sound.
“Murder by Pride” is not only a musical triumph but also a spiritual journey. It challenges listeners to confront their inner struggles, question their beliefs, and ultimately find solace in faith and redemption. With its compelling combination of metal intensity and heartfelt spirituality, “Murder by Pride” stands as a testament to Stryper’s enduring talent and their ability to inspire and uplift audiences across the globe.
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/murder-by-pride/1443631487)
CD tracklist:
01. Eclipse For The Son – 4:04
02. 4 Leaf Clover – 3:42
03. Peace Of Mind (feat. Tom Scholz) – 3:58
04. Alive – 3:36
05. The Plan – 3:10
06. Murder By Pride – 3:18
07. Mercy Over Blame – 4:07
08. I Believe – 3:43
09. Run In You – 4:15
10. Love Is Why – 4:07
11. Everything – 4:26
12. My Love (I’ll Always Show) – 3:14
Note: Released on both CD and 12-inch vinyl LP by Big3 Records. Remastered by Rob Colwell and re-issued on Limited Edition vinyl by Girder Records/Limited Run Vinyl in 2023. Pressed in 300 copies on Yellow Vinyl with Black Splatter.
Stryper – Murder by Pride (Girder Music 2023) Remastered Vinyl Edition pressed on Yellow Vinyl with Black Splatter
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