"Michael
Sweet has commented that "after years of speaking to fans and hearing comments
like 'more guitars,' 'more solos' and 'more screams,' I decided to keep those
suggestions in mind as I wrote each song. It was important to me to try to get
back to that early sound of STRYPER yet at the same time, to remain relevant
today."
Michael Sweet
hits the nail right on the head with that quote. There are heaps of solos,
heavier guitars and ear piercing screams that only Michael can perform & the
vocal harmonies are back as well which makes for a nice touch. After all Stryper
perfected the vocal harmonies. Musically I heard everything on "Murder by Pride"
from The Yellow & Black Attack (Especially the guitar sound) to In God We Trust.
"Murder by Pride" is the Stryper album the fans wanted and Stryper has delivered
the goods. The opening 3 tracks are solid rockers the opening guitar riff on
"Four Leaf Clover" is straight off "Soldiers Under Command" awesome song, before
Stryper break into their famous power ballads "Alive" could have easily been
included on "To Hell With The Devil" & "I Believe". The heaviest song on the
album is "My Love I'll Always Show" which is the last song on "Murder By Pride"
and this ends the album with the listener wanting to push play again.
I
must admit here that "Murder by Pride" didn’t grab me on the first listen, but
give it time to open up and you will be very pleasantly entertained. This is a
very mature Stryper, but one I hope stays around for a long period of time.
I
must take my hat off to Michael Sweet here and applauded him for what must have
been a very very tough album to get through. As most of you know or might not
know; Michael lost his wife recently to ovarian cancer leaving behind a
wonderful family much too early. "My Love My Life My Flame" is a tribute to Kyle
Rae Sweet.... RIP.
Bottom Line:
Hooks, hooks & more hooks every Stryper fan should own a copy of "Murder by
Pride". And even if you’re not a Stryper fan go and buy it anyway.
Highly
Recommended
