Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Stryper
Title
7: The Best Of
Type
LP/EP
Company
Hollywood Records
YOR
2003
Style
Hard Rock
6/3/2004 - Review by: Ken Pierce
Stryper - 7: - The Best Of - Hollywood Records - 2003 Reviewed by: Ken Pierce

Track Listing
1. Something (unreleased)
2. For You (unreleased)
3. Shining Star
4. Lady
5. All For One
6. In God We Trust
7. Always There For You
8. To Hell With The Devil
9. Calling On You
10. Free
11. Honestly
12. The Way
13. Soldiers Under Command
14. Makes Me Wanna Sing
15. Reach Out
16. From Wrong To Right
17. Loving You
18. Believe
A few months ago I had the chance to see Stryper at one of their Reunion shows when they came to New York. Since I was already a fan, I expected to enjoy myself. Given the fact that this was among the first shows the band had done in 12 years I expected the show to be full of the songs that made them popular. You see, around the time of the Reunion plans, a CD came out entitled “Stryper: 7 – The Best Of”. I was very impressed by this release.

I should clear up immediately that there are more than seven tunes on the CD. One would think there was only seven based on the title. However, this release has a full 18 which is impressive to say the least. I often find myself annoyed with greatest hits issues that have a few choice numbers and a mess of new songs. Stryper themselves have picked the selections and only added two unreleased songs. For that matter, the unreleased tracks were played live on the Reunion tour that is to best of my knowledge still going on.

For this release the tracks were all remastered so there is a bigger more powerful sound to some of the heavier tracks. “Soldiers Under Command” is definitely one you wanna crank a little louder on the stereo (I always loved the drumming on that one in particular). “Free”, “Honestly” and “Calling On You” also sound crisper due to the remastering. Like I said at the beginning, I was impressed. Since it is a greatest hits compilation there is little more I can say about it. I will add that the interior booklet is nice. Standout colors on the cover and back, interior depicts all the Stryper albums and provides the lyrics to their songs. I love when lyrics are included. Also, there is a personal message from the band on the booklet back.

This reviewer recommends the “Seven” CD for anyone who wants a good (and all album encompassing) scope of the Stryper sound and their career. Should anyone wish to venture further, allow me to make two personal recommendations: “Soldiers Under Command” and “To Hell With The Devil” are my favorites in the Stryper catalog.

You can find out more about Stryper and their goings on by visiting their website at www.stryper.com . You can also purchase the music I mentioned above at the site there.

Rating: 10/10

--Ken Pierce 06.04.04
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: STRYPER
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
7 Weeks: Live In America
2003
Fifty Three Five
Ken Pierce6/22/2004
-
7: The Best Of
2003
Hollywood Records
Ken Pierce6/3/2004
-
God Damn Evil
2018
Frontiers
David Loveless5/24/2018
4.5
No More Hell To Pay
2013
Frontiers
Eric Compton2/11/2014
4
Reborn
2005
Big Three
Anthony Burke9/14/2005
-
To Hell With the Devil
1986
Hollywood Records
Frank Hill12/19/2003
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: STRYPER
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


<< back >>