Various Artists
Isaiah 53:5 (A Tribute To Stryper)
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
While not a so-called "mockery of Stryper," as the Flying Tart release was taunted as, this album still doesn't do one better on the original yellow & black ones. The problem with some of the covers is that they are just that - covers. They do a fairly straight-ahead version of the song, rather than re-interpreting it. This is a plus in many people's minds in comparison to the previously mentioned tribute, but the downside is that most of these vocalists do not hold a candle to Michael Sweet's voice. Some of the performances towards the end of the disc are somewhat uninspiring and make you long even more for the original. However, having said all this, let us rejoice that some metal-like bands have been called on to pay tribute to their once great musical leader. Blood N Fire does a killer job with "Surrender." Fringe, Honeymooner, and Dinner Mint, while not coming off as sarcastic at all, will conjure up images of the Flying Tart release. The World Inside does an interesting job focusing on the vocal harmonies Stryper was known for. One of the coolest interpretations is the Nailed version of "To Hell With The Devil," who put some start/stop groove into the song. The "truest take" award goes to the soft and beautiful vocals of Aimee Clark in her version of "I Believe In You." It's hard not to judge and compare these songs to the originals and, stepping aside from that, you end up with a pretty aggressive and heavy album to enjoy here. It drags a little at the end, but overall it's pretty good. To order, send $12 (ppd) to: 603 Kelly Dr, East Aurora NY 14052