I have found it real annoying, though you can chalk it up to ignorance on the part of critics and trend following “fans”, when bands like Stryper get lumped into the “hair band” category. Not because of style and image (which I’ll take anyday over what’s considered fashionable these days in America), but it is often looked at as an inferior genre in hard rock and heavy metal due to lack of substance and talent, which obviously does not pertain to everyone. Really, the lesser known many imitators and copy-cats that flooded the 80s are the ones to be categorized with such a label. Anyway…Stryper were around in the early 80s at the beginning of the growing Los Angeles rock club scene, and one of the first amongst the other big names like Motley, Ratt, Dokken, Van Halen, Quiet Riot, Wasp, who earned their respect and built the town’s reputation. And by the way…Stryper are no less heavy metal than any other band because they sing about Jesus!

With that in mind, on “No More Hell To Pay”, original members (which is a rarity especially today) brothers Michael (vocals/guitar) and drummer Robert Sweet, guitarist Oz Fox, and Tim Gaines on the bass, continue to do what they did best back in the 80s and deliver in 2013 heavy guitar riffs with those recognizable twin guitar leads, soaring and screaming vocals, and a pounding (heavenly) rhythm section. ‘Revelation’, the video/title track, and riff laden ‘Saved By Love’ (nice screams and lead work) carry all the hallmarks Stryper are known for and sets the record straight they have lost nothing 30 years later. Excellent vocal harmonies on ‘Jesus Is Just Alright With Me’, ‘The One’ is the lone ballad but falls in fine half way through followed by the heavy headbanger ‘Legacy’ which is one of my favorites. ‘Marching Into Battle’ hits with a mid tempo and heavy riff, punchy drums, and has some great splashes of dark guitar leads with ‘Te Amo’ brightly upbeat sounding like it could fit perfectly on “In God We Trust” with ‘Sticks And Stones’ hitting with a more contemporary slowed tempo, hard backbone behind a very “To Hell With The Devil” albumish chorus and harmonies. A combination of old and new that works. ‘Water Into Wine’ could have been on “Against The Law” (a grossly underrated album), and I love its ‘Two Time Woman’ swagger. Was hoping I’d get a track that’d remind me of “Writings On The Wall’, and found it in ‘Renewed’. What a closing scream, Michael’s still got it!

Front to back may be Stryper’s most consistent and strongest album! Great production and artwork too. One of the few from that era who can still deliver.