After a show at the House of Blues in San Diego, a show in Riverside at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium (RMA), the Yellow and Black Attack Stryper is back in their hometown of Orange County at the City National Grove of Anaheim in Anaheim, California. To Hell with the Devilˊ 30th Anniversary Tour (Isaiah 53:5) on Sunday October 16th.
To Hell with the Devil was groundbreaking, shaping music history with 12 million records sold, nominated for a Grammy and the first “Christian” metal album to reach platinum status. The yellow and black attire was most noticeable in the 80s which left a lasting impression for years to come, as their look changed over time the yellow and black remained on their guitars. That was about to change, all original band members, vocalist Michael Sweet, drummer Robert Sweet, bassist Timothy Gaines, and guitarist Oz Fox wore the original yellow and black attire. Stryper took us back to 1986 playing the entire To Hell with the Devil in chronological order as listed on the album.
Upon arrival to the City National Grove of Anaheim the line of fans was halfway around the building to see the yellow and black attack. Once inside the Grove, the line for the merchandise spanned all the way across the front entrance, the fans love their Stryper, of course I was one of them to buy the 30thAnniversary THWTD T-shirt. As the lights dim the cheers rise, a video message starts playing on the big screen that is the back drop of the stage, vocalist Michael Sweet is narrating the band’s history from the beginning. I’m standing in the photo pit watching as they’re showing old photos, albums, old graphics and even a video clips of MTV announcing Stryper as being in the number one spot in the DIAL MTV countdown with Free and Honestly, and Calling on You reached number two. I’m feeling the goosebumps on my arms and a little moister in my eyes with a smile on my face, I have a feeling I wasn’t the only one having this reaction to this video strolling down memory lane.
The time the fans have been waiting for as you hear the introduction anthem Abyss, drummer Robert Sweet appears behind his impressive yellow and black drum set that’s facing sideways for the fans to admire his sick work, as he acknowledges fans. Gaines and Fox appear on stage. The cheers rise as frontman Michael Sweet appears. All band members are in their stage attire from 1986. The energy and volume surge, opening the set with To Hell with the Devil, Calling on You, followed with the songs that changed their lives Free and Honestly with fans fist pumping the horns up and singing every word. Sweet demonstrates great interaction with the fans of all ages, with bits of history from their instant success to sewing their own sage attire between songs. Michael, Oz, Timothy and Robert are well oiled machines, they haven’t missed a step, putting on a powerful performance of To Hell With the Devil in its entirety.
After a brief intermission for a clothing change, the introduction anthem Battle Hymn of the Republic starts playing as Robert Sweet appears behind his drum set tossing out bibles to fans. The second part of the show was dedicated to an array of fan favorites, including In God We Trust, God, Soldiers Under Command and Yahweh off their latest release Fallen.
From the casual to the diehard Stryper fan, To Hell with the Devil 30th Anniversary tour is one to see, you won’t be disappointed. Be a part of history as Stryper continues to tour throughout the United Sates with the last show being November 21, 2016.
All photos by Tammy Greene
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