Stryper – The Gov Sunday 19 August 2018.
Words Geoff Jenke
On a cool Sunday evening in the City of Churches, the Christian heavy metal band Stryper, set about preaching music to the converted at The Gov. Stryper formed in southern California in 1983 and released their debut album, The Yellow and Black Attack, in the same year. While they were inspired by bands such as Van Halen, they were distressed by their message and wanted to be part of a band that would extol their worldviews and beliefs. They achieved worldwide acclaim for their second album, To Hell with the Devil, and were the first band in history to notch two songs in MTV’s Top 10 with Free and Honesty. Stryper have gone on to sell over 10 million albums since.
Before Stryper hit the stage, Adelaide’s own Rosemont (formerly known as Love Cream) strolled on the stage to hit us with their 70’s inspired riffs and 80’s stadium rock choruses. There has been a 12-month hiatus for the band who are now back to rock us and hopefully hit us with a new album soon. We got a new song called Rumours and an old Love Cream tune song in Love Train. The lead singer, Barry Nation, controlled the stage, urging the crowd to join in singing and clapping, which naturally they did. Out of Air sounded slightly AC/DCish which was not a bad thing. A cover of Greta Van Fleet’s Highway Tune was nothing short of sensational. Watch out for them.
On the seventh day God rested. On this seventh day of the week, Stryper were here to spread the “word” and the word is heavy metal. Judging by the volume being used this evening, they were also preaching to people in Gawler and Port Noarlunga from the Gov. It was LOUD, in fact probably the loudest gig I have attended at The Gov. But loud is good!
Guitarist Oz Fox was a non-attendee as he was recently hospitalised with a serious illness. The remaining three band members, Michael Sweet (guitar, vocals), his brother Robert Sweet on the biggest drum set I have ever seen and new bassist Perry Richardson, decided to carry on with the tour as a three piece. Before the band came on stage, Michael Sweet played a message from Oz saying he is ok and hopefully back with the band soon.
Then Michael put on his yellow and black flying “V” guitar, hit the first chord and I swear I saw plaster falling from the ceiling. Yahweh from the 2015 album Fallen, started the night and from here on we were treated to new and classic songs. Next up the band tore the place apart with The Valley from the new album, God Damn Evil. Michael Sweet had said with Oz not here, they would only play instrumentals and the crowd could sing the words…. But thankfully, Michael sang with that magnificent heavy metal vocal he possesses.
Between songs Michael talked, and talked lots. In fact, he admitted he would be happy to just take the guitar off and come down and talk to us all night. Thankfully he didn’t and let the music do the talking instead. In one break in songs they threw Stryper Bibles into the crowd, the lucky recipients thrusting their fists to the air.
During another break, Michael asked if we had a Starbucks in Adelaide and when a resounding “No” echoed throughout the room, Michael said “thank goodness as The Gov does the best coffee he has ever tasted” and told us to make sure we try it.
The songs came from all walks of Stryper’s career. Free, All for One, In God We Trust, Sorry, with Michael Sweet rising to the occasion of having to cover for the loss of guitarist Oz Fox. (How loud would they have been with another guitarist?). Robert Sweet, behind a massive drum kit, played manic like all night. He hit the drums hard, fast and often. New and old songs rolled into one, with the newer ones equally as great as the older songs.
With Robert and Perry off stage, Michael donned an acoustic guitar for a stripped back Lady with the crowd joining in, and giving everyone a breather from the onslaught we had endured. It was however short lived, with a powerful run home, finishing with Soldiers Under Command. Only a short break before they were back on stage to hit us with To Hell with the Devil. At this volume, even the devil would have been hiding.
The three did the band name proud. It would have been easy for them to just cancel the shows until Oz was able to play again but they soldiered on amicably.
Stryper came to preach to the congregation of Heavy Metal devotees. Those not converted before the evening, were so by the end.
Amen.
No Comments