Walmart recently announced that it would not be carrying — in its stores — Christian metal act Stryper’s newest release, “God Damn Evil.” I have listened to this record nearly a hundred times (and reviewed it here) and it is an incredibly well-crafted heavy metal record; quite possibly one of Stryper’s very best over a storied, decades-long career.
Stryper, of course, is an anomaly in the generally heretical and flagitious world of heavy metal.
The members of Stryper have always worn their faith on their sleeve, and even the rest of their bodies, quite literally. While many metal bands in the 1980s were dabbling in Satanism and anti-Christian themes while donning inverted crosses, the members of Stryper crafted their trademark yellow and black striped outfits and aggressively used rather biting and aggressive sounding heavy metal to discuss their religion and relationship with Christ.
The striped outfits come from Isaiah 53:5 in the New Testament, “with His stripes we are healed.” and the chapter and verse references are featured prominently on the band’s logo. Band members are often seen performing in the presence of a myriad of Christian symbols.
AAN Staff
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