AC - The Top 10 Christian Hard-Rock/Metal Bands of the 1980s

By R.E. Norton, published Aug 21, 2008
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1.) Stryper Their name, which stands for Salvation Through Redemption, Yielding Peace, Encouragement and Righteousness, is taken from Isaiah 53:5 (…by His stripes we are healed). This Orange County quartet formed in 1983, signed with Enigma Records, a secular label which had signed bands ranging from Poison to Slayer, and released their debut record, The Yellow & Black Attack, in 1984. Stryper often found themselves at the center of controversy during the 80’s, drawing heavy criticism from Christians and non-Christians alike over their glam rock image, their yellow and black spandex outfits (Pat Boone, a supporter of the group, once jokingly referred to them as “Bumblebees for Christ”), or their willingness to blend heavy metal music with Christianity, two seemingly incompatible worlds.

The band released five studio albums between 1984 and 1990. Three of those records-The Yellow & Black Attack, Soldiers Under Command and In God We Trust–attained gold record status (sales of 500,000 units or more) while 1986’s To Hell with the Devil became the first Christian rock/metal album to reach platinum status. They competed head-to-head daily with secular counterparts Bon Jovi and Poison on MTV’s request program Dial MTV from 1987 through 1988. Stryper disbanded in 1992 and the band members pursued separate ministries until reuniting briefly at a fan-organized Stryper Expo in 1999. The four original members reunited and went on tour in 2003. With bassist Tracy Ferrie replacing Timothy Gaines, Stryper released Reborn, their first studio album in fifteen years, 2005. Michael Sweet continues to minister through music both as the lead singer of Stryper and as a solo artist. The group is currently recording a new album slated for release in early 2009.

Read the rest of the list at the AC

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