STRYPER
During 1980s, Stryper represented the popular glam metal style for the time which is characterized by highly visual performances, twin guitar solos, Michael Sweet's high-pitched, multi-octave screams and big hair. A trademark of the band's stage act was drummer Robert Sweet's practice of turning his enormous drum kit sideways to the audience so that the crowd could see him playing. This is why Robert was more often called a "visual timekeeper" rather than a drummer. A characteristic element of the band was that all their outfits, sets, and instruments were painted in yellow and black stripes. The number of the stripes represented in various stage props and costumes increased during the show, leading up to In God We Trust. The band would explain the symbolism of the stripes: a direct reference to the whiplash scourges given byPontius Pilate to Jesus, derived from the King James Version of the Bible's Isaiah 53:5.
Formed in 1983 as Roxx Regime, the band would soon change their musical message to reflect theirChristian beliefs, and the band's name was also changed to Stryper. They would go on to become the first overtly Christian heavy metal band to gain acceptance in the mainstream. In 1983, they signed with major label Enigma Records and released their debut album The Yellow and Black Attack. In the mid-1980s, Stryper enjoyed their most successful period beginning with the release of To Hell with the Devil, which achieved Platinum sales status. Stryper would go on to release two more Gold albums before breaking up in 1992. In 2003, Stryper came out of retirement for a reunion tour and subsequently signed a multi-album contract with Big3 Records in 2005.
If sideways drums is what I think it is, The Newsboys are well known for that happening during their performances for a LONG time and I mean since the mid-90s.
These guys are to 80's hard/glam rock what Relient K is to alternative, Skillet to harder rock, Underoath is to Metal, P.O.D. at least was for rock as well, and Lecrae is to Hip Hop. I'd even extend that to the more mainstream guys to an extent like U2 and Mumford and Sons to music in general (U2) and Folk like music.
Proof that Christian groups CAN stack up to the mainstream groups with a mostly different message, or at least a reason for the message.
That said, I am more a fan of groups who talk about Life and God instead of just trying to be generically Christian spiritual than having some depth and a willingness to go into life, relationships, and some darkness and sometimes saying "I still haven't found what I'm looking for."
Posted by: Alexander Wilhelmsen | June 09, 2013 at 10:11 PM