Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

  Jesusfreakhideout.com 5-Star Review

  JFH 5-Star Review




Stryper
To Hell With The Devil



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 40 minutes, 50 seconds
Street Date: October 24, 1986


The year of 1986 was often declared as the International Year of Peace. On that same year, four young believers with yellow and black spandex took over the radio waves with their multi-platinum breakthrough hit To Hell With The Devil. Michael Sweet, Oz Fox, Robert Sweet, and Timothy Gaines opened the eyes and ears of many with their third and defining studio album. Many devout fans might remember Stryper turning a lot of heads while performing "Soldiers Under Command" at the 1985 Dove Awards or seeing their music videos on MTV at that time. Often stated as one of the best Christian metal albums of all time, To Hell With The Devil still remains to this day a masterpiece that shaped Stryper's career and Christian music in general.

The album starts off with the song "The Abyss," a dark instrumental track composed of synthesizers and sound effects, which could have also worked well with an old horror film such as The Thing or Hellraiser. Stryper quickly kicks it into high gear with the heavy metal we have come to know and love on the second track. Before Vengeance Rising's Burn and Petra's This Means War, Stryper paved the way for Christian metal anthems specifically about mocking the devil with their title track. Michael Sweet's lyrics are still as powerful today as they were over 20 years ago and his high pitch voice and screaming adds a lot. Stryper continues to rock out with other singles such as "Calling On You" and "Free."

The band quickly brings it down a notch with the "Honestly," a memorable ballad that was briefly mentioned on the recent VH1's 100 Most Awesomely Bad Songs. Often classified as a friendship song, "Honestly" was originally meant to stand as a testament of God's love and mercy towards each of us, "Through the years, I will be a friend for always and forever, Call on me and I'll be there for you, I'm a friend who always will be true, And I love you can't you see, That I love you honestly." Other tracks such as "The Way," "Sing-Along Song," and "Holding On" all make the list as some of Stryper's best material. The album closes with the rock anthem "More Than A Man," which closes the album beautifully while stating the prayer of salvation to listeners.

Whether you love them or hate them, no one can deny the success of Stryper and how they are one of the many bands that made Christian music what it is today. Many bands such as Disciple, Demon Hunter, and The Showdown would not be where they are today if it were not for the legacy of Stryper. With Oz Fox, Michael and Robert Sweet bringing the band back with 2005's Reborn album and a planned 2009 studio release, there is never a better time than now to pick up a copy of this Christian metal masterpiece. Fans of 1980's heavy metal and Christian rock need to say To Hell with the Devil and keep this album in their music collection.

- Review date: 3/1/09, written by Fred Keel of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Enigma/Hollywood Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 40 minutes, 50 seconds
. Street Date: October 24, 1986
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Abyss (To Hell With The Devil) (1:21)
  2. To Hell With The Devil (4:08)
  3. Calling On You (3:59)
  4. Free (3:44)
  5. Honestly (4:10)
  6. The Way (3:37)
  7. Sing-Along Song (4:21)
  8. Holding On (4:16)
  9. Rockin' The World (3:30)
  10. All of Me (3:11)
  11. More Than a Man (4:34)

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
Hope Through Grace John 20 EP [Southwest Hardcore]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Kresher The Adventures of Sylas Spin EP (independent)
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
mewithoutYou Live (Vol. One) (independent)
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
nobigdyl. nobigdyl. Unplugged, Vol. 1 [indie tribe]
Josiah Queen The Prodigal (Deluxe Edition) (independent)
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Since The Death His Heart Hates - EP [The Charon Collective]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 1 [Thumper Punk Records]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 2 [Thumper Punk Records]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Paul Demer Let All Things Now Living - Single (independent)
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
ELEVATION RHYTHM At the Altar (Acoustic) - Single [Elevation]
Happy Powers Garden Song - Single (independent)
Sam Hauge Fame You Can Buy - Single (independent)
Hollyn & Weathrman Trees - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Memphis May Fire Shapeshifter - Single [Rise Records]
MŌRIAH Winter Wonderland - Single (independent)
The Myriad Time - Single (independent)
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Katy Nichole When I Fall - Single [Centricity]
Makenzie Phipps O Holy Night - Single (independent)
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
Ravenhill The Shakes - Single [Honey Gold Records]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Scapegoat Solace (feat. MajesticGhost) - Single (independent)
Seph Schlueter Stay (Gonna Be Okay) - Single [Provident]
Jordan Smith How Great Thou Art - Single [Gaither]
TKE3 Found (feat. Leya) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images