Supports: Gypsy, The Radio Sun
Max Watts, Moore Park, Sydney
Saturday, 18th of August 2018
American rock band Stryper are well known for their bold approach of using their music as a vehicle to share Christianity globally. Their musical talent is undeniable as evidenced not just in their longevity and string of signature music gear but also in their amazing vocal harmonies that bolster strong choruses backed by concise heavy metal and hard rock influenced music. If they were just another LA rock band from the eighties, they would have imploded long ago. As it is stands, they have survived many setbacks but with the latest one being the absence of co-founding guitarist Oz Fox [Richard Martinez] from the live set due to serious health concerns, the tour looked destined to be postponed, at best.
After eight years since Stryper were last here as four piece band, they returned as a three piece without Oz, making the best of a bad situation and in doing so, both appeased and impressed their fan base. Most bands would have caved in a similar scenario under the weight of egos or a lack of courage. As some may recall, Stryper played the Hordern nearby back in 1987 with a descending crucifix lighting rig, so the die-hard fans were highly appreciative of the band sticking to their touring commitments.
First up tonight was local Sydney band Gypsy who as a three piece, played some old school heavy metal of largely original material. Guitarist and vocalist Tommy Adams seems to like a somewhat brittle lead guitar tone but that may simply be a result of harmonising effects. His vocal delivery is strong with some falsetto moments and with second track ‘In the City’, he added some interesting guitar solos. The rhythm section of bassist James Squier and drummer Billy Gillette were very solid with the former delivering some decent backing vocals.
A cover of Kiss’ ‘Love Gun’ was followed by songs such as ‘Witches’, providing a galloping groove and a half time section. As per usual, the band threw balloons and pulled pop-gun streamers across the audience which was amusing given the headliners known penchant for dispersing the scriptures into the crowd. Another fast paced tune came with ‘Don’t Trust the Night’ which barreled straight into a cover of Judas Priest’s ‘Hell Bent for Leather’ to close the set. Bass and guitar necks were held aloft or tossed into the air at the conclusion of their set.
Taking a turn into melodic AOR territory was from the second support of Melbourne’s The Radio Sun. Metallers may know guitarist Stevie Janevski from Black Majesty and some veterans in the crowd might even recall his participation with Cyclone Tracy from back in the day. Anyway, the project here is commercial fare and given their recent overseas festival success they seem to be onto something.
Opening with ‘Tell me What You Want’ from Heaven or Heartbreak, the energetic guitar playing of Janevski and his use of centre stage during solos showed a guitarist adept at fitting the role that the material required. Front man Jason Old added punchy guitar to his catchy vocals that White Lion and Journey fans would enjoy. Also, the rhythm section of bassist Anthony Wong and drummer Gilbert Annese both contributed good backing vocals during tracks such as ‘Heaven on Earth’ from Unstoppable and the Wrong Things Right title track.
The pop choruses continued with ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ followed by slightly heavier songs about the world going crazy whilst the song structure techniques of bridges, solos, breakdowns and harmonies were in full force. Discussing their new album titled Beautiful Strange and praising the headlining band, they still played material from the previous album with the song ‘Tonight’s the Night’ to close their set. Janevski’s solo was succinct and tastefully played whilst he had no trouble in antics such as throwing and catching plectrums mid song. The Radio Sun clearly have a plan which is commendable.
As the changeover took place with Van Halen and Iron Maiden songs pumping over the PA, the crowd were soon surprised to see Stryper front man and guitarist Michael Sweet appear at a side of stage microphone to pre-empt the headlining set. Announcing the band were appearing as a three piece due to Oz’s situation, a recorded spoken message from Oz was played over the PA to introduce the show.
From the start, Sweet’s subtle self-deprecating humour was present. The touring band took their positions and as the pre-recorded choir vocals kicked off the song ‘Yahweh’, Stryper were off. Drummer Robert Sweet played behind a silver painted double bass drum kit as opposed to the usual yellow and black kit but was smashing the snare drum, extending his arm right back behind his head on each hit. A huge Stryper band logo back drop was backlit well as Michael Sweet’s vocals filled the venue with a formidable vocal power. His vibrato and projection is astonishing whilst he still manages to unleash some falsetto when needed.
New bassist Perry Richardson, from Firehouse, alternated between fingerstyle and plectrum use but either way, provided musical driven force to fill the spaces when Michael Sweet was playing lead guitar without a second guitar to fill out the sound. During ‘The Valley’ from God Damn Evil, it became clear that Michael would play the rhythm guitar parts during Oz’s missing solos. Michael’s solos were still intact and of course musically fiery but out of respect for Oz, he chose not to try to play his solos. From a guitarist’s point of view, it was interesting to hear the guitar rhythms isolated which gave some insight into their melodic songwriting skills.
Bibles were thrown out to the audience a few times during the evening, as were guitar plectrums but it was done during slightly extended banter parts were Michael Sweet did his level best to get through the show without Oz. Most bands in that situation would have cancelled so it was an impressive feat and just proves how a band that has always been on the receiving end of flak are stronger for it. The yellow and black is substantially toned down these days although Richardson’s largely yellow bass guitar, including the neck itself and Michael Sweet’s signature yellow and black striped guitars were present.
The tone from Michael Sweet’s guitar was brilliant with an impressive range and clarity from his signature gear in tandem with two Mesa Boogie amplifier stacks. Simply, both sustained open chords and searing high notes during solos bounced around the cavernous room beautifully. Two guitar solo highlights within songs were heard in ‘Free’ and the heavier yet reminiscent version of ‘In God We Trust’, with the latter also offering some great vocal harmonies. Before that, an improvised introduction of fluid guitar shredding kicked of ‘All for One’ from Against the Law whilst ‘Revelation’ had plenty of audience sing along aspects.
For rhythm guitar and riff highlights, the heavy thump of new track ‘Sorry’ followed by ‘Loving You’ from 1984’s The Yellow and Black Attack worked very well although this reviewer could have sworn some additional backing guitar was sneakily added. The crowd didn’t notice as they sang along to plenty more choruses, enjoyed the anecdotal banter and amusing discussions about crude Aussie slang. The rawer early material sat perfectly with the new album title track ‘God Damn Evil’ providing a solid guitar riff and plenty of cymbal smashes from Robert Sweet. Ironically, the song had an even heavier feel without Oz’s solo section when only rhythm guitar led back into the chorus.
A change of pace was deftly done with Michael Sweet alone at stage left playing acoustic guitar for a rendition of ‘Lady’ as the crowd sang along in unison. Of course, ‘Always There for You’ saw the three piece returned in pop-rock mode with tight band playing and great vocal harmonies.
The Stryper classic album title track, ‘Soldiers Under Command’ closed out the main set. It is a great guitar track that powers along with a great pace but sadly suffered from the absence of the twin guitar attack and harmony parts therein. The song itself has a climactic trade off guitar solo partially empowered by Oz’s fluid finger tapping section. Other than that, it was done perfectly and given that Michael Sweet plays a good chunk of guitar solos on many tracks, it all panned out okay.
A similar concern undermined an otherwise tight and hammering version of encore track ‘To Hell with the Devil’. Some of us have those trade-off solos etched into our brains. Still, the vast majority of the audience embraced the songs in three piece mode, celebrating the pure grit attitude of Michael Sweet.
Naturally the Oz Fox penned track ‘The Way’ wasn’t played for obvious reasons as were a couple of other tracks that die-hards would have enjoyed but all things considered, tonight demonstrated the depth of the band’s musicianship and perseverance. Stryper nobly promised to return to Australia one way or another. Stryper play their music with great skill and strong convictions but do so tactfully.
Yahweh
The Valley
Calling on You
Free
All for One
Revelation
In God We Trust
Sorry
Loving You
God Damn Evil
Lady
Always There for You
Soldiers Under Command
Abyss [intro]
To Hell with the Devil.