Stryper

Stryper is the definitive Christian metal act, emerging from the 1980s Los Angeles glam metal scene to achieve mainstream platinum success. Formed by brothers Michael and Robert Sweet, the band successfully navigated the 'hair metal' explosion by adopting the visual tropes of the era, most notably their iconic yellow-and-black striped aesthetic.

Musically, they are rooted in the tradition of Judas Priest and Van Halen, characterized by Michael Sweet's multi-octave vocal range and Oz Fox's technical guitar proficiency. Their 1986 album 'To Hell with the Devil' remains a landmark of the genre, proving that overtly religious themes could coexist with mainstream metal production. Despite a brief departure from their signature style in the early 90s with 'Against the Law', the band's 21st-century resurgence has seen them embrace a heavier, more traditional metal sound that has garnered critical respect beyond their core religious demographic. They remain influential for bridging the gap between CCM and secular hard rock markets.