Brisbane's Princess Theatre is humming with a vibe of anticipation for tonight's headliners, Stryper.
You know, the Christian band from California who have been bringing their flavour of hair metal to our ears and stages around the world since the early '80s.Thrash metallers Panik get a warm reception from punters as they take the stage in a red wash of darkness (2 March).
From their very first song, you just know they have a bunch of talent and loads of energy with real potential to gather a big following.
Like many punters who told me, I have never seen or heard of them before. Oh boy, they are bringing the musical goodies and are definitely here for a riffing good time.
Panik - image © Clea-marie Thorne
With not much more than a 30-minute taste of their originals including 'Burn' and the massive banger 'Heart Racer' plus an impressive cover of Metallica's 'The Four Horsemen', Panik has won the crowd's admiration.
I cannot wait to see how far this three-piece from the ‘Gong go. I'm guessing pretty far. Check 'em out!
With our ears well and truly greased to receive the sounds of headliners Stryper – Michael Sweet (vocals, guitar), Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitar) and Perry Richardson (bass guitar) – excitement swells in the room.
Stryper has the recipe for classic metal down pat – and in no time we are headbanging as they kick off with one of those timeless classics, 'In God We Trust'.
This is a nice and heavy kickstart with chunky, chugging riffs and driving drums. It's got real drama and lyrics that are about trust and comes across powerfully, as does its solo that is smacking us in the face with some seriously shred-tastic fret work.
Stryper - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Revelation' sparks the energy-filled ambience – really, the intensity just got turned up as fans are getting right into the groove, no holding back until 'Loving You'. This quickly creates a mood shift in the room as punters get their body sways on with this ballad.
While the tempo has slowed in contrast to their other songs, it's instrumentally and lyrically delivered with full powered emotion. Oh man, the beautiful harmonies are only trumped by the killer solo. It's a real showcase for Sweet's vocal range too and definitely tugs at the ticker.
The momentum continues to escalate with 'More Than A Man' and 'Surrender' while things drop from the heavier to hard with 'Calling On You', which gets many a phone and hand up in the air with punters engrossed in the spectacle before them.
This has some seriously catchy hooks and more killer guitar riffs true to the classic Stryper sound with the harmonies. Sweet's signature high-pitched scream is as amazing as it is recorded – insane! However, my ears are hurting from the punters that just don't cut the choral mustard on those notes. LOL!
After 'Free', Sweet tells us the next song is 'Sorry' and it's his grandson's favourite. Many vocal n'awws from the crowd.
Stryper - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Keys bring in 'Honestly', which is followed by 'All For One' and 'Always There For You' – another classic Stryper tune that has punters singing along. This reeks of vintage '80s rock and has big feels in the chorus and catchy hooks. The guitar solo is magic with some serious shredding and rockstar guitar poses to boot.
Stryper continue to belt out another three tunes before they introduce us to the live sounds of a newer song 'Divider', and boy this belter is embraced by the crowd in a huge way as the energy levels peak.
Holding fast to the atmosphere they have created, Stryper stick us with more dynamism with 'The Valley', and a clear fan favourite from the last triple treat is 'Yahweh'. There is some serious chops on the guitar and drums tonight by Oz and Robert Sweet.
Sweet's vocals are strong throughout and Stryper have retained their unique sound of heavy riffs, catchy melodies, and harmonies with ease. Richardson is banging on bass and fits with the band like you'd want him to.
Stryper - image © Clea-marie Thorne
While they've got some serious faith-based lyrics – the whole kit and kaboodle makes the Christian, atheist, Buddhist, Pagan (or whatever your belief) in you just want to raise your fist and scream along with the infectious chorus lines.
Fans in the crowd go nuts for 'Soldiers Under Command'. This is an absolute anthemic banger, with thundering drums and shredding guitars. You feel the vibration of the soldiers feet marching towards their victory through the bass and drums – clearly a fan favourite. Heads are snapping to the beats and there is more than a hair windmill or three to be spotted in the crowd.
Saving the tastiest morsel for last, we get 'To Hell With The Devil' – an absolute classic instrumentally. We are getting blistering guitar riffs and stunningly powerful vocals. The crowd are absolutely frothing, with every word flowing with force from their throats about fighting against the forces of darkness.
Stryper - image © Clea-marie Thorne
True legends of the metal scene. Seriously, dudes pump out some killer tunes that remain relevant and are thoroughly enjoyable live. Bloody ripper, Stryper!
For our dessert, Stryper who momentarily left the stage hit it again and take us out with the 'Sing-along Song', which is usually an opener for them, so it was a big surprise! No one is leaving disappointed.
Stryper's set could have been delivered at any size venue or stadium; a truly epic big-feel show – they absolutely killed it.
More photos from the show.
