Stryper – ‘Throne Of Thorns’

(Frontiers Music)

There are some bands where the music and the message are so closely intertwined that separating the two can be difficult. Stryper have always been one of those bands. For me, the faith-based lyrical content has sometimes been something of a barrier, and it has undoubtedly influenced how much I have connected with the band over the years. That said, Throne Of Thorns is an album that has made me put that particular reservation to one side and concentrate on what is happening musically. And when you do that, there is an awful lot to enjoy here. Because musically, this is a seriously impressive piece of melodic metal.

Stryper have been around long enough to know exactly how to construct a song that hits hard without sacrificing melody, and Throne Of Thorns demonstrates that understanding repeatedly. The album combines weighty metallic guitar work with the kind of memorable melodic writing that has always been central to the band's identity. The riffs have real muscle behind them, the production gives everything plenty of impact, and the arrangements strike a satisfying balance between heaviness and accessibility.

This is not lightweight melodic rock dressed up with distorted guitars. There is genuine metallic fire running through the record.

Michael Sweet and Oz Fox’s guitar work is particularly impressive. Heavy riffs provide the backbone, bringing plenty of crunch and aggression, while the melodic elements ensure that the material never becomes overly dense or difficult to digest. There is a real sense of power throughout the album, but Stryper understand that heaviness means very little if there isn't a strong melody underneath it. Fortunately, Throne Of Thorns is packed with them.

And then there is Michael Sweet’s vocals. Quite simply, he sounds fantastic.

Sweet is in stunning vocal form throughout the album, delivering the material with the authority, power and control that have made his voice such an important part of Stryper's sound. There is a clarity to his delivery that allows the melodies to shine, while the heavier passages benefit enormously from the sheer strength behind his voice. Whether he is attacking a more muscular section or opening up into one of those huge, soaring melodic passages, Sweet sounds completely at home. For established Stryper fans, his performances alone should provide plenty to celebrate.

There is also something wonderfully old-school about the way Throne Of Thorns approaches melodic metal. While the production is modern enough to give the guitars considerable weight, the songwriting is rooted in an era when memorable choruses actually mattered. These are songs designed to stick. The choruses have the necessary lift and immediacy, and there is a strong emphasis on vocal melodies that gives the album considerable replay value. That balance between heaviness and melody is where the record really succeeds.

You can put this on expecting metallic riffs and find yourself humming the vocal melodies afterwards. That, to me, is the mark of effective songwriting. Stryper aren't simply throwing heavy guitar sounds at the listener; there is considerable thought behind the arrangements, with the riffs, vocals and hooks working together rather than competing for attention.

The album also benefits from a sense of conviction. Whatever your thoughts on the lyrical themes, there is no doubt that Stryper believe passionately in what they are doing. That commitment comes through in the performances. The delivery is never half-hearted, and there is a sense of purpose behind the music that gives the album an added intensity.

For me, however, the lyrics remain the one element that prevents Throne Of Thorns from becoming an entirely straightforward recommendation. Faith-based lyrics are something I have historically struggled with, and I am not suddenly going to pretend otherwise. If lyrical themes are the most important part of your listening experience, then the religious content here will obviously be something you need to consider. But if, like me, you can separate the lyrical message from the musical performance, there is a very different story to be told.

Because underneath those themes is an album filled with muscular guitar riffs, strong arrangements, powerful vocals, memorable choruses and a healthy dose of melodic metal fire. There is plenty here for anyone who appreciates classic melodic metal songwriting, particularly listeners who enjoy their rock with substantial guitar weight but don't want melody sacrificed in the process.

What impresses me most is how confidently Stryper inhabit that territory. They aren't trying to reinvent themselves or chase whatever happens to be fashionable. Instead, Throne Of Thorns feels like the work of a band that understands its strengths and has chosen to play directly to them. And those strengths are considerable.

The guitars are heavy. The melodies are immediate. The choruses have staying power. Michael Sweet sounds magnificent. Most importantly, the album has enough musical substance to make me forget about the reservations I might normally have surrounding the lyrical content and simply enjoy the record for what it is: a powerful, well-crafted melodic metal album.

I suspect long-term Stryper devotees will have very little trouble embracing Throne Of Thorns. For listeners who have previously kept the band at arm's length because of the lyrical subject matter, however, this could be worth approaching from a different angle.

Put the words to one side for a moment and listen to the music. There is some seriously good melodic metal waiting underneath.

‘Throne Of Thorns’ opens the album with immediate intent, bringing heavy metallic guitar riffs together with Stryper's trademark melodic instincts. The guitars have plenty of bite, while Michael Sweet's vocals arrive with impressive power. The chorus is big, memorable and designed to make an instant impact. A strong statement of intent.

‘Here In Your Heart’, a more melodic approach comes through here, with Sweet's expressive vocals sitting beautifully over a strong guitar foundation. The arrangement has plenty of emotional weight without losing its metallic edge. There is a real sense of warmth within the heaviness, and another chorus that quickly lodges itself in the memory.

‘Falling’ leans into melody without abandoning the heavier side of the band's sound. Sweet delivers a particularly strong performance, moving effortlessly between controlled verses and soaring vocal passages. The guitars provide plenty of muscle, while the songwriting keeps everything accessible and immediate.

‘I’m Alright (I’m Okay)’, a confident, upbeat rocker with an infectious quality. The rhythm section gives the song plenty of forward momentum, while the guitars provide the necessary crunch. The chorus is particularly effective, demonstrating Stryper's ability to create memorable vocal hooks without overcomplicating the arrangement.

‘Waiting For You’, here the mood becomes more reflective, allowing Sweet's emotional delivery to take centre stage. The melodic writing is strong, and there is a pleasing contrast between the quieter moments and the heavier guitar passages. It is another example of how effectively Stryper balance emotion with metallic power.

‘Carry The Flame’, a powerful, uplifting piece of melodic metal with an expansive feel. The guitars sound huge, but the vocal melodies remain firmly at the forefront. Sweet gives the song plenty of conviction, while the chorus has the sort of anthemic quality that should translate particularly well to the live environment.

‘Hollywood’, the guitars come roaring back with a sharper, more aggressive edge. There is plenty of attitude here, with a driving rhythm and muscular riffing giving the song considerable momentum. Sweet attacks the vocals with confidence, while the melodic elements prevent the heaviness from becoming overwhelming.

‘Beautifully Broken’, a more emotionally charged performance, with Sweet once again demonstrating why his voice remains such an important part of Stryper's identity. The arrangement builds effectively, allowing the melody to develop before the heavier elements arrive. A heartfelt piece with plenty of vocal character.

‘Ashes To Roses’, the combination of strong riffs and soaring melody works extremely well here. There is an uplifting quality to the arrangement, but the guitars retain enough weight to keep things firmly within melodic metal territory. Another chorus with genuine staying power.

‘Alone Again’, a more vulnerable-sounding performance that gives Sweet room to explore the emotional side of his voice. The guitars remain important, but the emphasis is placed firmly on melody and vocal expression. It is a nicely paced change of emphasis before the album's conclusion.

‘Shadowbreaker’, a suitably powerful way to bring the album home. Heavy guitars, commanding vocals and a memorable melodic framework combine to create a finale that feels substantial without becoming overblown. Sweet finishes in superb form, leaving Throne Of Thorns on a suitably strong note.

Throne Of Thorns is an interesting one for me because the faith-based lyrical content has always been the part of Stryper that I have struggled to connect with. But put that to one side and concentrate purely on the music, and there is a hell of a lot to admire here. This is powerful, polished melodic metal driven by heavy guitar riffs, memorable choruses and some outstanding vocal work from Michael Sweet. His voice is simply magnificent throughout, delivering every melody with power, emotion and conviction. The established Stryper faithful are going to absolutely lap this up, but even those of us who have previously kept the band at arm's length should give this a serious listen. Musically, Throne Of Thorns is a very impressive reminder that Stryper still know exactly how to deliver the goods.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Falling’

Review by Woody