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Reviewer: Iluvthe80s

Though often derided for their dated hair metal image and sound, the '80s Christian hair metal group Stryper is nonetheless a major influence on modern Christian music. As one of the first bands to deliver a religious message via mainstream pop-metal music, Stryper dared to stray from the formulaic pop and singer-songwriter styles that typified the genre, adopting the image and sound of contemporary secular light metal groups such as Judas Priest and Def Leppard -- much to the chagrin of some ultraconservatives -- while preaching as forcefully as more traditional Christian musicians. The result was previously unheard of mainstream success for a Christian group, with MTV and secular radio support of some of the group's most accessible songs.

Claiming their name is an acronym for "Salvation Through Redemption, Yielding Peace, Encouragement and Righteousness," Stryper was formed in Orange County, Calif., in 1983 by Michael Sweet (vocals), Oz Fox (guitar), Tim Gaines (bass) and Robert Sweet (drums), veterans of the local club scene. By the following year the group had landed a deal with Engima, releasing their debut album The Yellow and Black Attack. 1985's Soldiers Under Command successfully crossed over to radio and MTV, attracting both religious and secular audiences and going gold in the process. 1986's To Hell with the Devil went platinum and earned a Grammy nomination. 1988's In God We Trust went gold and was followed in 1990 with Against the Law.

In the early '90s frontman Michael Sweet went on to a solo career, while other members of Stryper remain active in the Christian music scene.

SOURCE: Rollingstone.com