Stryper Discography: A Complete Guide to Every Album From 1984 to 2020

From leather-clad Christian rockers to legendary metal pioneers, Stryper has blazed a unique trail through rock history since 1983. With their signature yellow and black striped outfits and bold Christian message, they’ve proven that faith and heavy metal can coexist in perfect harmony.

Over four decades, this Grammy-nominated band has delivered an impressive collection of albums that seamlessly blend powerful vocals, thundering guitars, and uplifting lyrics. While many dismissed them as a novelty act, Stryper’s discography tells a different story – one of musical evolution, unwavering conviction, and chart-topping success that’s earned them respect from both religious and secular audiences worldwide.

Stryper Discography

Stryper’s debut EP The Yellow and Black Attack launched their recording career in 1984, introducing their signature sound that blended melodic metal with Christian themes. The band’s breakthrough came with 1986’s To Hell with the Devil, which achieved platinum status and produced hit singles “Calling on You” “Free” and “Honestly.”

Through the late 1980s, Stryper released multiple successful albums:

• In God We Trust (1988) reached gold status
• Against the Law (1990) showcased a heavier sound
• Reborn (2005) marked their return after a decade-long hiatus

The band’s discography expanded significantly in the 2000s and 2010s:

Album	Year	Notable Features
Murder by Pride	2009	Cover of Boston’s “Peace of Mind”
No More Hell to Pay	2013	Return to classic sound
Fallen	2015	Critically acclaimed
God Damn Evil	2018	Controversial title
Even the Devil Believes	2020	Modern production

Stryper’s musical evolution incorporated various elements while maintaining their core sound. Their recent albums feature enhanced production techniques improved guitar tones and sophisticated arrangements. The band continues to tour actively performing tracks from their extensive catalog spanning four decades.

Each new release demonstrates Stryper’s commitment to creating authentic heavy metal music while addressing spiritual themes. Their consistent output has earned them a dedicated following with over 10 million albums sold worldwide.

Early Years and Breakthrough Albums (1984-1988)

Stryper’s early discography established their unique position in the heavy metal scene, combining hard-hitting rock with Christian themes. Their initial releases demonstrated a rapid evolution in both songwriting and production quality.

Yellow and Black Attack (1984)

Stryper’s debut EP showcases six tracks of melodic metal influenced by traditional heavy metal sounds. The release features standout songs like “Loud N’ Clear” and “From Wrong to Right” that highlight Michael Sweet’s soaring vocals. Hollywood Records reissued an expanded version in 1984 with two additional tracks, “My Love I’ll Always Show” and “You Know What to Do.” The production, while raw compared to later releases, captures the band’s energetic live sound and establishes their signature guitar harmonies between Michael Sweet and Oz Fox.

Soldiers Under Command (1985)

The band’s first full-length album marks a significant step forward in production quality and songwriting maturity. “Soldiers Under Command” reached #86 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned gold certification. The title track demonstrates enhanced guitar work with dual lead harmonies and complex arrangements. Notable songs include “Makes Me Wanna Sing” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” showcasing improved recording techniques and tighter performances. The album sold 236,000 copies within six months of release.

To Hell with the Devil (1986)

“To Hell with the Devil” represents Stryper’s commercial peak, achieving platinum status with over 1 million copies sold. The album features three hit singles: “Calling on You” (#71 Billboard Hot 100), “Free” (#88 Billboard Hot 100) and “Honestly” (#23 Billboard Hot 100). Producer Michael Wagener enhanced the band’s sound with polished production and layered vocal harmonies. The album’s recording budget exceeded $250,000, resulting in superior sound quality compared to previous releases. The title track became an MTV favorite with heavy rotation of its music video.

The Golden Era and Style Evolution (1988-1992)

Stryper’s musical journey from 1988 to 1992 marked a significant shift in their sound while maintaining commercial success. The band explored new sonic territories during this period, incorporating diverse influences into their signature style.

In God We Trust (1988)

In God We Trust reached #88 on the Billboard 200 charts while earning Stryper their second platinum certification. The album features polished production by Tom Rock with standout tracks “Always There for You” reaching #71 on Billboard Hot 100 and “I Believe in You” gaining significant MTV rotation. The record showcases Michael Sweet’s expanded vocal range alongside refined guitar harmonies between Robert Sweet and Oz Fox. The songwriting emphasizes accessible melodies with radio-friendly arrangements while retaining the band’s heavy metal foundation.

Against the Law (1990)

Against the Law represents Stryper’s boldest sonic departure, adopting a grittier sound aligned with contemporary hard rock trends. The album peaked at #88 on Billboard 200 while demonstrating the band’s evolution through tracks like “Two Time Woman” “Lady” featuring stripped-down arrangements without religious themes. Producer Tom Rock captured a raw energy with minimal studio processing focusing on Tim Gaines’ prominent bass lines Robert Sweet’s dynamic drumming. The record’s production style emphasizes natural instrument tones moving away from the layered approach of previous releases.

Hiatus and Return to Music (1992-2005)

Stryper entered a period of inactivity in 1992 when lead singer Michael Sweet left to pursue a solo career. The remaining members initially attempted to continue with different projects, but the band officially disbanded in 1993.

During the hiatus, Michael Sweet released four solo albums:

• Michael Sweet (1994)
• Real (1995)
• Truth (2000)
• Him (2003)

Guitarist Oz Fox joined Sin Dizzy, releasing the album He’s Not Dead in 1998. Bass player Tim Gaines formed multiple projects including King James, while drummer Robert Sweet played with several local bands.

A brief reunion occurred in 2000 when the original lineup performed at a Puerto Rico concert. The performance sparked renewed interest, leading to occasional reunion shows between 2000-2003.

The band’s official reformation materialized in 2003, resulting in their comeback album Reborn in 2005. This release marked a significant sonic departure featuring:

Musical Elements	Changes from Previous Sound
Guitar Tone	Modern distortion, drop tuning
Production	Contemporary digital recording
Vocal Style	Aggressive, less falsetto
Song Structure	Shorter, more direct compositions

Reborn reached #69 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart, establishing Stryper’s relevance in the modern metal scene. The album introduced tracks like “Open Your Eyes” “Reach Out” demonstrating their evolution while maintaining their signature melodic elements.

Modern Era Releases (2005-Present)

Stryper’s modern era marks a significant sonic evolution while maintaining their signature melodic elements. These releases showcase enhanced production techniques coupled with a heavier sound.

Reborn and Murder by Pride

Reborn (2005) introduced contemporary metal elements through modern distortion pedals digital recording techniques. The album reached #69 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart featuring tracks like “Open Your Eyes” “Reach Out.” Murder by Pride (2009) expanded their sonic palette incorporating orchestral elements refined guitar work. The album peaked at #73 on the Billboard 200 produced standout tracks including “4 Leaf Clover” “Peace of Mind.”

Album	Year	Billboard Peak Position
Reborn	2005	#69 (Independent)
Murder by Pride	2009	#73 (Billboard 200)

No More Hell to Pay and Fallen

No More Hell to Pay (2013) embraced a return to their classic metal roots featuring aggressive riffs pristine production. The album charted at #35 on the Billboard 200 included powerful tracks like “Revelation” “Legacy.” Fallen (2015) continued this trajectory reaching #44 on the Billboard 200. The album delivered heavy compositions including “Pride” “Big Screen Lies” while maintaining their melodic foundations.

Album	Year	Billboard Peak Position
No More Hell to Pay	2013	#35
Fallen	2015	#44

God Damn Evil and Even the Devil Believes

Album	Year	Billboard Peak Position
God Damn Evil	2018	#77
Even the Devil Believes	2020	#87

Notable Compilations and Live Albums

Stryper’s catalog includes several significant compilation and live recordings that document their musical evolution. Can’t Stop the Rock (1991) serves as their first greatest hits collection, featuring 10 remastered tracks and two new songs: “Can’t Stop the Rock” and “Believe.”

7 Weeks: Live in America (2003) captures the band’s reunion tour performances, marking their first official live album. The recording includes energetic renditions of classics like “Soldiers Under Command” and “To Hell with the Devil.”

Here’s a breakdown of their key compilation releases:

Album Title	Year	Notable Features
Can’t Stop the Rock	1991	2 new tracks, 10 remastered hits
7 Weeks: Live in America	2003	First live album, reunion tour
The Roxx Regime Demos	2007	Pre-Stryper recordings
Greatest Hits: In the Beginning	2010	Re-recorded classics

The Roxx Regime Demos (2007) presents rare recordings from the band’s pre-Stryper era, offering insight into their early sound development. Greatest Hits: In the Beginning (2010) features newly recorded versions of classic tracks, showcasing modern production techniques while maintaining the original arrangements.

Live performances remain central to Stryper’s legacy, documented in albums like Live at the Whisky (2014). This recording preserves their complete performance at Hollywood’s Whisky a Go Go, including fan favorites spanning their entire career.

Impact and Legacy in Christian Metal

Stryper’s innovative fusion of Christian themes with heavy metal established them as pioneers in the Christian metal genre. Their groundbreaking approach influenced numerous bands, including Guardian, Whitecross, and Bloodgood, who followed their template of combining faith-based lyrics with hard rock sounds.

Commercial success validated Stryper’s crossover appeal, with their platinum-certified album To Hell with the Devil breaking barriers between Christian and mainstream markets. Their MTV presence through music videos like “Honestly” opened doors for other Christian metal acts to gain mainstream exposure.

Three key factors define Stryper’s lasting impact:

• Musical Excellence: Technical proficiency combined with melodic songwriting created a template for Christian metal bands
• Image Innovation: Yellow and black striped costumes established a memorable brand identity in metal culture
• Lyrical Authenticity: Direct spiritual messages paired with aggressive music demonstrated religious themes’ compatibility with heavy metal

Their influence extends beyond religious boundaries, earning recognition from secular artists:

Artist/Publication	Recognition
Tom Morello	Named Stryper as an inspiration for guitar techniques
Metal Hammer	Ranked To Hell with the Devil among top 100 metal albums
Billboard	10+ charting albums across four decades

Stryper’s enduring relevance manifests through consistent album releases and tours, maintaining an active presence in both Christian and secular metal scenes. Modern Christian metal bands cite their dual-market success as a blueprint for reaching diverse audiences while preserving musical integrity.