STRYPER – Second Coming

Label: Frontiers Records

Release Date: March 26, 2013

Rating: 9/10

Reviewed by: ToddStar

I have to admit, these guys were never really my cup of tea.  It had nothing to do with the subject matter or the image they were trying to convey.  The music always seemed a bit too clean or produced for the era.  Most of us wanted gritty lyrics, a solo with a sour note, and some cheesy production and packaging.  These guys were ahead of the curve and made sure everything was presented in such a manner.  Good, bad, or otherwise, they have stood the test of time and are now at a juncture in their career where they have gone in and re-recorded their hits and favorites from their catalog.  The songs sound better than they originally did.  The touring and working together through the years is evident, as these songs seems better and more concrete than before.  The real shock is the omission of arguably one of their biggest hits “Honestly.”  The real bonus is the inclusion of two new tracks.  “Bleeding From The Inside Out” is a great song.  I love the guitars and the way they mix with a heavier bottom end, compliments of the bass and drums.  This song has a heavy groove that is accentuated by the vocals.  The solo in the track is blistering good.  This song alone is worth the price of admission.  “Blackened” is the other new track, and it is as good as the last track.  The rhythm section gets their moment in the sun on this track, as the bass and drums both are up front in the mix.  The chugging guitar through the track is well matched to the vocals, but the little riffs, squeals, and the solo give the song some flavor.

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Category: CD Reviews