Customer Reviews

To Hell With the Devil

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

"To Hell with the Devil" ranks on my list of 100 Greatest Christian Albums of all-time. Even if you are not a fan of the 80's metal "hair band" style, you at least have to respect the historic impact this album made. At a time when cross-over meant controversy, Stryper took their message to a culture in need. From the first Christian mainstream hit ever, "Honestly" to the singable choruses of their rock anthems -- this album entertains from start to finish! Plus, it was really the first Christian album EVER that you could buy at a K-Mart or Wal-mart. And in 1986-87, it was firmly planted in the "Best-Sellers" rack! If you're a fan of Bon Jovi, Poison, or the arena rock sound -- buy this album today. I also highly recommend the "out of print" Stryper best-of album "Can't stop the Rock" which is available at amazon.com**

In response to Marc Butler's review. Just because these guys have a strong commitment to christ, doesn't mean the MUSIC doens't have value. Agreed, most would prefer no political agenda tied to the music, but these guys were genuine, leave 'em alone and listen to the tunes.

I am NOT a practicing christian, but I am a trained vocalist and former vocal coach, and if you like good metal singers, you should add this album to your collection. Micheal Sweet has arguably the most beautiful tenor voice in the genre'......listen to the samples.....the tunes rock, are hook oriented, and even if your not a bible thumper, you will still find meaning in this recording.......

This is a great cd. To Hell with the Devil is packed with energetic, up lifting songs that merit acclaim on musical value alone. The boys of Stryper really find the groove on this one as thier collection has an unmatched sound that displays some of the best vocals harmonies found anywhere.

Released during the fall of 1986, "To Hell with the Devil" was Stryper's second full-length album, and their third record overall. Stryper members Robert Sweet, Michael Sweet & Oz Fox co-produced THWTD with Stephan Galfas. Although "Soldiers Under Command" is my favorite Stryper album musically & lyrically, THWTD probably has the best production sound of any Stryper record. "Calling on You" was the first video from this album to hit MTV's "Dial-MTV" program, competing head-to-head with bands like Bon Jovi & Poison and peaking at #2. "Free" & "Honestly" both hit #1 on "Dial-MTV," and "Honestly" was also a huge radio hit. Other oustanding songs include the title track (inspired by Revelation 20:10), "The Way" (I love the Iron Maiden-ish guitar riff on this one!), "Sing-Along Song," "Rockin' the World" & "More Than a Man." Eighteen years later, "To Hell with the Devil" remains not only one of my favorite Christian hard rock/metal albums, but also one of my favorite 80's metal albums, period.

Stryper certainly had their share of detractors. But many people forget that this band sold millions of albums in the 80's-and not because of their lyrics. I can see why some people would not care for the lyrics. But those who rip on the music are just off-base. When you compare this band with many other 'hair-metal' bands-at least musically-you will see that Stryper (which is an acronym by the way-see if you can figure it out) was one of the better of the bunch. This disc is their most famous and best selling. This foursome from southern California had a knack for crafting catchy rock/metal hooks and nicely done (if occasionally overdone) vocal harmonies. For the detractors and in the interest of general knowledge I offer a few comparisons:

a) the vocals are very similar to any number of other bands: Kix, Cinderella, Ratt, Poison, Dokken etc. And the layering of vocals (which the band freely admits was often a bit over-the-top) seems very similar to what Def Leppard was doing-especially on HYSTERIA.

b) I defy anyone to find a guitar combo that worked as well as Michael Sweet and Oz Fox. If people would take the time to actually listen to the way these two play together, the way their guitar lines weave in and out of one another, the way they assault the ears with crushing stacatto unison riffing, and the amazing soloing capabilities of both, there would be more appreciation for this band and much less argument. They work together in much the same way Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton did in Queensryche or Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman in Megadeth.

c) Robert Sweet is a great drummer-unfortunately, at the time the record label actively pushed him to be a 'simpler' drummer. My understanding is that there was concern about him sounding too similar to Tommy Lee of MOTLEY CRUE or something like that. Basically, he was told to 'tone it down.' Having seen the band live at a reunion show just about one year ago I can say that Robert is a beast in concert. Anyway, we rarely hear the best of Robert on any of Stryper's recordings. But this album showcases some nice work from time to time as does AGAINST THE LAW-their best album.

d) The lyrics are simple. The message is simple. Some of you are looking too hard and missing the whole point.

e) By 1989 Stryper was the top merchandising band IN THE WORLD, bested only by PRINCE I believe. (Yeah, I was surprised by this as well!)

f) And we all know that they had some popular videos (even though the only one people seem to remember is "Honestly")

For an album recorded in 1986, I find TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL has a nice mix. The guitars -especially on the title track and on monsters like "The Way" and "More Than A Man"- sound menacing. Great tone. As a bass player I would have liked to hear more of Mr. Gaines (and Brad) on the album, but this disc is a product of the times-many albums of this style in the 80's needed more bass guitar in the mix. The drums sound good as well. I remember hearing stuff from this album on the radio a lot and friends of mine who never set foot in church really liked the music. For those of you who are even curious about more of the history of this band-THE groundbreaking Christian rock act, I encourage you to check out the new biography LOUD N' CLEAR by Dale Erickson and Jesse Sturdevant (two friends of mine by the way...)

Well, what can I say about this album? For me, is the best Stryper Album, from beginning to end. As a Christian and Catholic(the ones who actually go to Mass and participate in the Sacraments)I can testify this album help me a lot during my teenage years. It help me stay focus in the most important thing in life, one's faith in God.In this world of today, that lives giving it's back on God's words and love, Stryper came as a glass of water in the desert. In the musical deparment is also a megnificent example of rock, metal, melody and feeling. There are no better songs to fall in love with someone than Honestly and All of Me. There is no clearer message of God's love and sacrifice for us than More than a Man. And there is not a more powerful, pedal to the metal, straight to your face cristian rock/metal song than The Way. This album is not only one of the 80's best, is as far as I'am concern, and in my humble opinion, one of the best ever recorded by any band. A know many people who were touch by this album, I saw them change, many of them I call today friends. If you have never heard Stryper before give yourself a chance, it can change your life.

I have been listening to Stryper since 1985 and I have to admit, To Hell With the Devil is probably their best album. Awesome guitars, vocals and layered harmonies are just what you need to get yourself in the rockin' mood. The message is clear: wake up and start praising the Lord, even if you have to do it in a metal way!!

Stryper still makes me jump and shout and it's all about good things in life, not the bad. Get this album!!!

I have always liked Stryper, even when I am decisively NOT a Christian, and even when I like A LOT some other bands that talked about violence, Satanism, etc., such as Metallica, Slayer, S.O.D., etc. So, you can say that pretty much all of the heavy metal (HARD hard rock?!) spectrum is covered in my tastes.

In my opinion, this album is the most radio-friendly of Stryper's catalogue. Three or four of the songs, most probably, you would have heard once or twice on the radio. But.....for me they are the ones that make this album weaker than it could have been. The songs are "Honestly" ( a well known ballad), "Calling on You" (too "gospel-ly" for my taste), the title track (pretty nice song, although not one of my favorites) and "Free" (this one I like a lot). Though, for me, the gem of this album is "The Way", most probably my favorite heavy metal song. "More than a Man" is also a favorite. The rest of the songs I do not like that much.

Even when they were heavy metallers, Stryper WERE NOT as hard or agressive as Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, etc., so if you are looking something similar, you will not find it with this album. Thats why I said they may be considered, better, as HARD hard rock (to TRY to explain better what they actually sounded like).

For my money, Michael Sweet is the best vocalist in popular, English-speaking music. Period. But....I can understand that many do no like his high-pitched voice. It is HIGH, indeed!!! I find myself enjoying A LOT Stryper's songs when Michael hits those high notes for what seems like minutes!!! But, again, I can understand that for others these screeches are too angelic-wanna-be or annoying, and hate them.

My favorite guitar player is Oz Fox, and he plays on this album, of course, and also wrote the song I like the most, "The Way". What I like about his playing, and to a degree the same can be said about Michael Sweet's playing, is that the solos and licks ADD soemthing valuable to the songs, and are not crazy solos '(that other bands do) and that could be played into ANY song! (For example, Slayer's solos, which for my taste, ruin many of their songs....even when I like SLayer a lot! One solo could be played into another song, or another, or another!, and the listener will not go "Huh...this solo does not go with the feeling of this song!") Oz Fox's solos are kind of "right" for the actual song being played, not taking away anything from the song, but on the contrary, adding more richness to it.

Most people will disagree with me, I am pretty sure, but I like better the "Soldiers Under Command" album. This album is "harder" than THWTD........but most of the songs you will most probably NEVER HEARD, if you are new to Stryper.

"To Hell With the Devil" and "Soldiers Under Command" are both classic Christian rock album but which one is better? At least from "To Hell With the Devil" Stryper often plays more songs than "Soldiers...". The Devil's 'nightmare song' "To Hell With the Devil", "Calling on You", "Free", "The Way", and their greatest hit, the ballad, "Honestly" are played probably in every gig they have had in 00's. Also "More Than a Man" and "Sing-Along Song" are very often in the set lists. This album reprents everything that Stryper has to offer: heaviness, tenderness, a great message, and great songs with great playing and singing. Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, Timothy Gaines, and Oz Fox are truly God's soldiers. However, there's more great songs that just those seven I mentioned at first; "All of Me" is a great beautiful ballad, "Rocking the World" really rocks, and "Holding on" is also a good song, although quite basic stuff for Stryper. "More than a Man" could be called "To Heaven With Jesus" also because if you sing it and mean what you sing, you're soul will be saved. Great album, I recommend this together with the album "Soldiers Under Commandment" because they both are Christian metal classics.
Stars: Honestly, To Hell With the Devil, The Way, More Than a Man

I had heard of Stryper in the 80s, then in the 90s they were about as 80s as totally 80s gets. Then they made a comeback this decade. This is their best album, featuring the huge hit Honestly with Michael's high pitch vocals. The rest of the album is more straight forward metal, not really Christian lyrics all the time but condemning Satan. I picked up the Roxx Regime which contains Yellow and Black Attack and Honestly, and the only track better than Honestly on there is From Wrong to Right. Abyss the opener gets things going, a joke their not. With this album they have gotten rid of most of the 50s influences into a much more EMO Poison meets Slayer tongue in cheek Christian metal band with a humor.