Stryper
The Covering
Big3 Records
The Covering, the title of this latest offering of metallic hard rock is an assemblage of songs that were amongst the most important in the musical development of Mike, Robert, Oz and Tim. According to Mike this is the first album they’ve recorded with Tim since 1990’s
Against the Law.
The songs are like a who’s who of classic hard rock and heavy metal acts of the 1970’s and early 1980’s. It would seem that this is an album that Stryper can really let their hair down and just flat out ROCK! Not having to write the material but just arrange and perform it, this album breathes with energy and vitality. The guys sound like they’re having a great time playing these songs.
Opening with a version of Sweet’s "Set Me Free" this horse is off to the races. The pedal is put to the floor and the nitro is kicked in; how can you listen to this song and not start the proverbial air guitar action???? UFO’s "Lights Out" is a tour de force of solid driving rock n roll, the influence on "More Than a Man" is not just passing. The guitar solos rip it up one side and down the other.
I’ve always enjoyed Deep Purple’s "Highway Star", but this version is a tisch faster and Mike cuts loose like no one’s business. Why he hasn’t received more attention for his vocal ability in the metal community is a crying shame. Robert’s drumming propels this version and does Ian Paice proud.
KISS’s "Shout It Out Loud" locks a groove and the guitars take over. Tim delivers some choice bass work holding it under locked.
Black Sabbath’s "Heaven and Hell", Ozzy’s "Over the Mountain", Led Zeppelin’s "Immigrant Song", Scorpions "Blackout", Kansas’s "Carry on Wayward Son", all shine with some great performances. Their version of Iron Maiden’s "The Trooper" was creative with the middle section solo, one of the few times they really expanded the original compositions and made it their own. Perhaps making a harmony out of Black Sabbath’s "Heaven and Hell" solo section would have been fitting, yet Oz’s solo is stellar regardless.
A few moments found me wanting particularly with a slower sounding version of Judas Priest's "Breaking the Law". At times I felt that the version of "Blackout" suffered a little from the tempo. Yet in contrast their version of Van Halen’s "On Fire" (perhaps my favorite song from their 1978 debut) ranks on par with the original. Passion, drive and power define this version, can I just keep hitting the replay button!
The overall sound of the album reminds me of a beefier and cleaner Soldiers Under Command. Great sounding tones are achieved and are given their opportunity to breathe and develop. No tight sounding compression that squashes the dynamics and leaves everything flattened. It sounds fantastic.
There is one new track. Entitled "God", it does feature a heavy and haunting melody line. A powerful chorus which will prove to be a show stopper from Mike. The solo section is strong with a fantastic guitar harmony courtesy of Oz and Mike. If this is a preview of their next full length album of original material watch out.
Some may want to wallow in unfounded criticism of the ‘apparent lack of spiritual content.’ May I just say how ridiculous that is, the amount of festivals, celebrations and feasts given in Scripture are many. This album is about THE PARTY! THE CELEBRATION! And having some fun.
The Covering is an exceptional release of material that influenced Stryper before they were Stryper. If it wasn’t for this stuff there might not be a Stryper. Solid performances and production throughout, The Covering should be a solid addition to any Stryper fan’s collection. I wasn’t sure at first how I’d respond to this, but after five spins its double thumbs up from here.
Review by : Keven Crothers
