Stryper

Item: In God We Trust
Author: Daniel Baillod

In God We Trust

(1988)

Reviewed by Daniel Baillod

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Label EnigmaAdonai Metal Rock #21989

glam metal hard rock heavy metal pop metal

Translated from the original French

The fourth vinyl effort by the number 1 of WM was awaited with anxiety, although there was not much surprising to be expected. Given the band's evolution since "The Yellow And Black Attack", it was obvious that STRYPER is heading more and more towards hard FM. Well, with "In God We Trust", they have jumped in with both feet!! On the sleeve side, let us salute the admirable nerve of the Strypers, who dared to have a 100 dollar bill reproduced: a taste for provocation? There is certainly a bit of that!! Despite this excellent provocative idea, the sleeve remains fairly flat compared with the previous ones. That said, what does this "IGWT" contain? Well, the entry (in force!) of the keyboards pushes STRYPER into the ranks of the FM bands. The keyboards are there, very present, on numerous tracks. Besides, the compositions lend themselves to it well. It is manifest that with "IGWT", STRYPER wants to reach the top places in the international charts. For that, STRYPER has banked on a sparkling production, and compositions that are mostly cool, two of them slows. Only "IGWT", "The Writings On The Wall" and "The Reign" fall into a weightier metal. The album all the same lacks tracks of the same calibre as "The Way" (from the 3rd LP)... A pity. "The Reign" is a surprise, however, because it is the first time STRYPER has allowed itself a swerve into pseudo-thrash! The attempt comes off. Thank you Oz Fox!! Overall, let us say that STRYPER relies more and more on its vocals; Michael Sweet being the band's essential composer, "IGWT" is mainly centred on the vocals. And there, it is true, one has to acknowledge that STRYPER plays very, very strongly. No hard band at the moment equals what STRYPER does vocally, when one considers the complexity of the background vocals: "It's Up 2 U", "Keep The Fire Burning", "Come To The Everlife",... If you are in love with Michael Sweet's vocals, then "IGWT" can only turn you on. Michael is on form, and his vocals are very impressive; admittedly he has calmed down considerably since "Soldiers Under Command". His vocals are far more polished, clean, without any skids. But he still allows himself a little skid from time to time, very high-perched ("IGWT", "The Writings On The Wall", "Come To The Everlife", and above all "The Reign" with a final holler to take your breath away). "IGWT" is all in all a very pro album, very FM, and very focused on the vocals. The lyrics are in the line of the previous ones, with perhaps a little more courage and aggression ("The Reign"). If you are already a committed STRYPER fan, then no problem; if not, I advise you to go back to the sources of the true STRYPER, majestically crazy, and in its purest beauty: "Soldiers Under Command".