The Final Battle Stryper

• 1Transgressor04:25
• 2See No Evil, Hear No Evil04:54
• 3Same Old Story04:09
• 4Heart & Soul04:00
• 5Near04:53
• 6Out, Up & In04:12
• 7Rise to the Call03:47
• 8The Way, The Truth, The Life03:54
• 9No Rest for Wicked04:21
• 10Till Death Do Us Part03:54
• 11Ashes to Ashes03:53
• Total Runtime46:22

Info for The Final Battle

Legendary, long-running heavy metallers Stryper are set to return with a brand new studio album, "The Final Battle"! Firmly continuing the trend established over their last few albums, "The Final Battle" sees the band growing heavier while also maintaining their trademark melodies, virtuoso guitar playing, and air tight rhythms.

"The Final Battle" was crafted during the most challenging time of the band's career. While they suffered the same setbacks faced by all artists during the course of the global pandemic, the band also had to contend with Oz Fox's ongoing battle with brain tumors and for Michael Sweet, a detached retina which required multiple medical procedures, the use of an eye patch, and limited mobility for stretches of time. But rather than let the adversity get them down, the band accepted these challenges and channeled it into writing some of the greatest songs of their storied career.

Defying all logic, "The Final Battle" somehow manages to best it's immediate predecessors, "No More Hell To Pay" (2013), "Fallen" (2015), "God Damn Evil" (2018), and "Even The Devil Believes" (2020), continuing the band's unprecedented late career streak of releasing arguably the best albums of their multi-decade career. How do they do it? Well, we may never know the answer, but we can be thankful that the gift of musical inspiration continues to find them as they consistently share their musical fountain of youth with heavy metal lovers around the globe.

When it comes to groundbreaking bands in the metal genre, Stryper is renowned for their distinctive brand of “heavenly metal,” extraordinary crossover success, and venerable endurance. The group ascended to prominence in the 1980s with Billboard Top 40 hits like “Calling on You,” “Honestly,” and “Always There for You” and had maintained a global fanbase since. Stryper’s career album sales exceed 10 million worldwide, including 1986’s multi platinum release “To Hell with the Devil.” The band also made history when it notched two songs simultaneously in MTV’s Top 10 with videos “Free” and “Honestly.” While Stryper is known for their Christian faith, their decades plus career in heavy metal has made them much more than just a ‘Christian metal’ band. Sure, that is part of who they are, but at the end of the day, they are simply a long-running and well respected heavy metal band with a late-career rebirth that has proved their enduring talent and musical skills are well intact.

Today, some 37+ years after emerging from the southern California nightclub scene, the foursome continues to record, tour and perform for loyal fans around the globe. Comprising three original members including brothers Michael Sweet (lead vocals, guitar) and Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitar) and newest bandmate, seasoned bassist Perry Richardson (formerly of Firehouse), the group finds itself creating their finest, most powerful music yet.

Michael Sweet, vocals, lead & rhythm guitar
Robert Sweet, drums, percussion
Oz Fox, lead & rhythm guitar, vocals
Perry Richardson, bass, vocals

Stryper
Established in southern California in 1983, multi-platinum crossover Christian metal band, Stryper, continues to share their positive message and energetic stage presence with a passionate following throughout the world. Since the band’s inception over 30 years ago, the founding members have stayed true to their deepest convictions, turning from “the ways of the world” and following their hearts instead.

“In the past 34 years, we’ve evolved into what we are now,” says vocalist and guitarist Michael Sweet. “This is what we always really wanted to be. I love the progression. The story of Stryper is that of an underdog. We seem to go against the grain with everything we do, and our fans tend to be the same – They’re good hardworking people who believe in love, respect, and not conforming to the ways of the world.” The members of Stryper have proven themselves as metal stalwarts, leaving an indelible mark on the genre with each new release. With such hits as “Calling On You,” “Free,” “Honestly,” and “Always There For You,” Stryper’s album sales now exceed over 10 million worldwide. Add to that one of the most successful Christian rock albums ever, 1986’s multi-platinum To Hell With The Devil, and the unique distinction of being the first band in history to notch two songs in MTV’s Top 10 with “Free” and “Honestly.”

The band has managed to leave an enduring impression on pop culture, as well. Singer Michael Sweet spent months trending online when he was identified as the doppelganger of 2016 presidential candidate Ted Cruz, who went on to discuss the comparison on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Several movies have paid homage to Stryper’s cultural significance, too, including Drew Barrymore’s “Whip It” and “Pain & Gain,” starring Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Since returning from a 12-year hiatus in 2003, Stryper has managed to release new music annually. Their most recent full-length album, Fallen [Frontiers Music SRL], reached #44 on the Billboard Top 200 and #2 on the Top Hard Music Albums chart. The group is now recording their next original album, which is due in April of 2018 and promises to be their most groundbreaking yet.

This year will also bring Stryper back on the road, where they’ll have a chance to connect with fans, new and old. The line-up still features three of the original members, including singer songwriter Michael Sweet, his brother and drummer Robert Sweet, and guitarist Oz Fox. Recently, the group welcomed iconic bassist Perry Richardson (formerly of Firehouse), who will be joining them on tour.

“We’re excited about the next season of Stryper,” says Sweet. “ We have the best fans in the world and the band is at the top of its game musically and spiritually. We look forward to seeing everyone on the road.”

This album contains no booklet.