First up is "Revelation". Modern sounding without being overly processed, I like the beefy sound of the tune. Guitarist Oz Fox provides the same quality of lead guitar that he has been belting out for years, a very underrated player in the metal realm. Tim Gaines is another unsung player in the band, providing some nice bass fills that are finally a little higher in the mix. Singer Michael Sweet is as amazing as ever, a great rock voice. Lyrically the song is fairly standard for the band, and if the religious element of the band pisses you off, this album certainly is not a step towards secular songwriting. A good start to the album. Lead single "No More Hell To Pay" comes in next. Quite a slow song, but heavy in terms of riffage. A very familiar sound for the band, the best part is that Michael Sweet can still belt out those high notes. Just a solid Stryper tune all around that fans of the band will surely love. A bit slow for me, but a decent song.
"Saved by Love" picks up the pace quite a bit. Lightning fast drumming is provided by the solid Robert Sweet. Oz Fox runs through some guitar aerobics during the song, giving Eddie at least a partial run for his money. The speed of the song is a bit ambitious for gentlemen of their vintage, but they still sound quite fast and heavy. I like the track, a decent addition to the album. "Jesus Is Just Alright" is another cover of the famous 1960's gospel original. The song has been covered multiple times by other artists, but Stryper adds their own take on the track. I felt like it could have been a bonus track, but a nice metallic take on the original.
"The One" brings us back to the brooding ballads that made Stryper the darlings of Christian metal during the 1980s. Nothing has changed, and it feels like the song could have easily been recorded during the band's heyday. Great lead and backing vocals and a killer solo make the song more than enjoyable. Fans of the band will be in heaven (pun intended), a return to form after many attempts to branch out to a more modern metal audience with the previous post-reunion Stryper albums. "Legacy" sounds like a wholesome version of Judas Priest in a way. Sweet is decent at grunting during the verses, but the song takes flight during the chorus when he soars vocally. At this point I can't believe how well his voice has aged, truly sounding very youthful and powerful. A great vocal showcase for Sweet, and a decent rocker, but fairly standard sounding for the band.
"Marching Into Battle" is another battle hymn for God's soldiers. One of the heavier riffs the band has produced, I like the Queen-like progressive rock nature of the song. I was instantly reminded of "Ogre Battle" from Queen II. The operatic backing vocals in the song add an element of mystery, and I think the song is one of the most ambitious recorded by the band to date. Some great tapping is released by Oz Fox, who smokes (metaphorically) all over this album. A little too long in my opinion, but a pretty cool track. "Te Amo" speeds up the tempo again. A classic uplifting Stryper song of the power of love, the song is pretty over the top, but everything about this band always was. From the yellow and black spandex to the giant neon cross on stage, Stryper have always been larger than life, and this album is no exception. Great drumming, vocals, and stellar leads round out a very impressive track, my favorite tune on the album.
"Sticks & Stones" is one of the more mundane tracks on the album. The children's proverb has been made into a song about loving and respecting each other. While one can certainly appreciate the message, the song fails to excite. The leads are more tame, the vocals are adequate, but don't really soar. The lyrics don't stand out either, I prefer Stryper singing about the fire and brimstone stuff that gets them all fired up. Not bad, but not a standout track for me. "Water Into Wine" brings back the heavy riffs. A nice slow-burner, the song builds to its climax in classic hair/glam metal fashion. Group backing vocals, plodding bass and drums, and a fist-pumping chorus makes the song really feel like 1985, a great throwback to classic Stryper.
"Sympathy" continues the fairly long album. More of a filler tune, the main highlight of the song is the hard-rocking drumming of Robert Sweet. The chorus is fairly catchy, but the verses are a little too typical sounding for the band, feeling like I've heard this all before. Not bad at all, but not one of the highlights for me. "Renewed" closes the album. The main riff is quite intricate and interesting, showing the band heading towards more progressive metal territory. The chorus is quite hummable, and Stryper unleash yet another slice of metal magic, certainly one of the catchiest songs about being born again that I have ever heard.
"No More Hell To Pay" is a Stryper fan's dream album. A true return to form, the album contains all of the hallmarks that have made the band as successful as they are today. For those with a distaste for the band, this album will certainly not change your mind. But those of us who appreciate their unique take on metal, listen away, you might even find more enjoyable than the music.
Rating-8.5/10
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