"Even the most fervent of believers can run out of divine inspiration": Stryper's songwriting falls short on When We Were Kings

Stryper are still fighting the good fight on 15th studio album When We Were Kings

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Stryper - When We Were Kings cover art
(Image: © Frontiers)

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Veteran Christian rockers Stryper haven’t changed much since their hairy heyday in the 80s. 

Their messaging is a little more nuanced than on early albums To Hell With The Devil and In God We Trust, but their faith in the Lord – and in old-school metal – remains unshakable. And their line-up still includes three original members: Michael Sweet on guitar and vocals, his brother Robert on drums, and Oz Fox on second guitar.

Stryper "When We Were Kings" - Official Music Video - YouTube Stryper
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This twelfth studio album is delivered with total conviction and age-defying energy, and Michael still sings his songs of praise like an overexcited Dennis DeYoung. It’s only in the songwriting that they come up short. 

The title track and Rhyme Of Time are mighty rock anthems, though, and there’s a melodic finesse in Grateful and (the poorly punctuated) Loves Symphony. But a bunch of predictable, generic numbers proves that even the most fervent of believers can run out of divine inspiration.

Paul Elliott
Paul Elliott

Freelance writer for Classic Rock since 2005, Paul Elliott has worked for leading music titles since 1985, including Sounds, Kerrang!, MOJO and Q. He is the author of several books including the first biography of Guns N’ Roses and the autobiography of bodyguard-to-the-stars Danny Francis. He has written liner notes for classic album reissues by artists such as Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy and Kiss, and currently works as content editor for Total Guitar. He lives in Bath - of which David Coverdale recently said: “How very Roman of you!”