I don't think any of you needs to read a review of the new Stryper album in order to decide whether or not you're gonna buy it. I'm convinced that the release of a new Stryper album means the release of $9 from your pockets. Knowing this takes the pressure off of having to sell you the new Stryper album. To Hell With the Devil is a major test for the boys in yellow and black. This is the first album they've released where they had to solely rely on unproven material. When they released their debut EP, they just put on vinyl songs they'd been playing in concert. Soldiers Under Command was much the same way. "Together Forever," "First Love," "Surrender" and the title track are all songs that Stryper had road tested since their clubbing days. Writing new songs has got to be a little scary. With old songs, at least you know your live audiences already enjoyed them. This album seems to firmly establish Stryper's sound and direction. It has a few metal screamers, a few ballads and a few pop, melodic-metal songs. This long-awaited piece of vinyl starts off with "Abyss," which sounds similar to - but not the same as - the synthesizer intro to concerts, which they used during their Yellow and Black Attack tour. The title track is meaty and tough. They don't try to act classy or real melodic on this one. The guitar leads can't help but be slightly melodic throughout the song, but Michael wrestles with his vocal chords. These first two songs have a predictable life: "Abyss" will probably open the show; and the crowds will surely be invited to sing/shout along to the choruses of "To hell with the devil!" The next tune, "Calling On You," will probably be the first video released from the album - according to Janice Sweet. It's a melodic, pop-metal tune in the same vein as "Reach Out." This song, along with two others off the album, will probably raise the ole' question: "Is he talking about a girl or the Lord?" This reviewer can't answer that question, but I can say this: "Shouldn't a love song for a loved one be interchangeable with a love song for God?" I said, "love song for God, not worship song." Worship of a girl is clearly idolatry, but self-denying, Christ-like love for a girl is of God. I personally don't get uptight if a Christian musician writes a love song for a girl. If it's coming out of his heart and is right-on with God's guidelines for relationships, it is a good thing. Record reviews can be the funnest avenue for preaching, honestly. The next song, "Free," is undeniably Stryper. You could hear this song on the radio and immediately know it's Stryper. Praise God, they have their own sound. Lyrically, the song is powerful. I am learning and believing that each word we speak has great eternal and spiritual significance. In Luke 13 Jesus freed a lady from a demonic spirit that she had for 18 years - just by saying, "You are freed from your sickness." He has given us this authority as believers. I believe that the words to this song are releasing listeners all over the world from spiritual oppression. If you have their live video or get a chance to see them live, notice how Michael ends up "First Love" in concert. He stretches out his hand to the audience and says, "You are free, You're free." I called Stryper's office and asked if Michael believed in and was aware of this. "At first he did these things because they sounded good, but now is realizing that God planned it that way," was their response. They have had people report to them of demons leaving people in the audience. With much prayer, we can see Stryper heal and deliver huge audiences under the authority of Jesus. This is an area that the apostles moved in and one that the body of Christ is starting to learn and grow in. Let's really pray, okay? "Honestly" is another gentle ballad a la "My Love I'll Always Show." This song exemplifies many godly characteristics of a righteous relationship: the commitments of friendship, reliability, loyalty and honesty. "The Way" is Oz Fox's gift of songwriting to this album. He forces Michael to sing in a similar key to many of Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden's songs. Oz found a catchy riff to use as his rhythm and he keeps the song going at eighty miles an hour. He throws in some of his vibrato bar-bending sounds that scream for attention. "Rockin' for the One Who is the Rock," is the truthful chorus belted out here. This song should please the Iron Maiden audience without coming across as a blatant attempt to sound like 'em. "Sing-Along Song" starts off with a Prodigal-sounding pop synthesizer intro, but then the guitars come in. This is really different from anything they've ever done. The chorus invites us to sing along: "Whoa-o-o-o whoa owowo la, la." "Holding On" is a commercial radio hit for sure. Stryper is sounding commercial, but they do it in a way that doesn't turn you off. At least this writer. It's probably because they've always held this style all along. It's not like they've sprung something new on us. "Rockin' the World" is a good rhythm-ridden rocker that travels fast. This is probably the best rockin' worship song released since "Jesus Will Reign" from Darrell Mansfield's Revelation album. It's a self-proclamation of what Stryper does: "Rocking the world for You - Holy One." "All of Me" is another ballad that uses the "is that really Stryper using keyboards"-synthesizer. "More Than a Man" rounds off the album, leaving a heavy metal taste in your mouth and a ringing in your ears. It is a straightforward presentation of who Jesus Christ is. "Anyone who asks shall receive/ Jesus in your heart...more than a man, God Almighty/ He created you." This song lifts up Jesus to where He belongs - on the throne. It glorifies our King! Overall, I'd say Stryper is expanding their audience to steal all those Journey fans that are going to hell and still feeding us metal-heads enough metal to keep us loyal. For those who are interested: Columbia Pictures Publications is releasing a songbook of 16 Stryper songs; The December issue of Metal Edge has an exclusive interview with Tim Gaines, while the January guitar-special issue will feature Oz Fox; and To Hell With the Devil has been released with limited edition album covers. The secular release has a dramatic painting of four angels throwing the devil into the pit, while the Christian bookstore release has a black cover with the title written on it. Interesting eh?