Stryper Returns to Rock The Hell Out of You

July 1, 2016 Publisher Concert Reviews 2016 Comments Off

by John Kindred
– Publisher —

June 28, 2016 at The Scene in Independence, MO. —

The yellow and black attack returned to Kansas City to perform for a packed crowd of die-hard fans, which included a wide age group. The band didn’t disappoint, performing an all-ages show at an Independence, Mo., local bar called The Scene.

The group continues to deliver and build upon its repertoire of hard and heavy Christian Heavy Metal music. Stryper pioneered this genre of music and arguably is the best at it. Still together with its original lineup of vocalist and guitarist Michael Sweet, guitarist Oz Fox, bassist Timothy Gaines and drummer Robert Sweet, the band continues to release new music, certainly not trying to live on the coattails of the group’s past.

Getting a late start, Stryper hit the stage at 10:50 p.m. and proceeded to rock the Hell out of a sold-out venue.

From the start, the group hit the stage like a well-oiled machine. The band was packed onto the small stage, much like the audience that was standing or sitting in close quarters. Michael Sweet commanded the show, taking center stage and blessing the crowd with his voice and guitar heroics. The band’s sound was heavy and raw; Sweet and Fox performed plenty of shared solo spots, showcasing their underrated and unheralded talent. And on a couple songs, Sweet just manned the mic while all the riffs, rhythms and solos came from the ever-talented Fox.

Gaines and Robert Sweet, “The Visual Timekeeper,” are, by far, the heaviest rhythm section that one could witness. Robert Sweet was extremely animated throughout the show, yet maintained the groove, while Gaines’ bass lines rumbled through the P.A.

Pre-show technical issues aside, Stryper rocked The Scene. The set was approximately an hour and 15 minutes long. The group didn’t waste time between songs, cranking out each song, one after another. Opening with the “Yahweh” from the group’s 2015 studio album Fallen, the band played new songs, classic songs and even a Kiss cover of “Shout It Out Loud.” It was great to hear classic Stryper tunes, such as “Soldiers Under Command” and “Rock the People.”

Throughout the set, Michael Sweet wasn’t afraid to speak about putting God first in life, and the lyrics echoed the sentiment. The crowd wasn’t put off by this. But, hey, either all in attendance were fans or they just accepted the message the band was putting out there without being offended. Stryper closed the set with a To Hell With the Devil melody, which included “Calling on You,” “Free” and “To Hell With the Devil.”

If you have the chance to catch the group live, take the opportunity. This is a band that is on top of its game, the guys can still play extremely well and would put any new band out there today in their place.

Michael promised fans that the group will be kicking off its 30th anniversary tour for the release of ’86’s To Hell With the Devil studio in the Fall. Here’s to hoping the band returns to the Kansas City metro area.

Set List:
1. Yahweh
2. You Know What to Do
3. Always There for You
4. God
5. Revelation
6. Rock the People
7. Co’mon Rock
8. Shout It Out Loud (KISS cover)
9. All for One
10. Surrender
11. In God We Trust
12. King of Kings
13. Soldiers Under Command
14. Calling on You / Free / To Hell With the Devil