Rocktrospectiva: Stryper's Masterpiece ""To Hell With The Devil" Turns 40

Released on 24 October, 1986, "To Hell With The Devil" was the third studio album by the US band Stryper. Considered their magnum opus, it achieved platinum status, selling an impressive 1 million copies—a milestone for a Christian rock band—and held that record until 2001. The album featured the singles "Calling On You", "Free", "All Of Me", "To Hell With The Devil", & "Honestly."

 

The album has been regarded as a pivotal album in the glam metal movement, it was influential not only within Christian music but also in the secular market; the group earned heavy rotation on MTV with their music videos and received a Grammy nomination. The production process—overseen by the band and Stephan Galfas—was not without challenges: the band had lost bassist Tim Gaines, and his replacement, Matt Hurich, never fully settled in, necessitating the hiring of Brad Cobb to record the album. 

 

Ultimately, Gaines returned—not only for promotional activities but also for the tour supporting the record. Three singles were released from the album. "Free"—a double A-side single paired with "Calling On You"—did not achieve success on the Billboard Hot 100; however, their music videos received significant support on MTV, with "Free" becoming one of the most-requested videos for 60 days—a truly unique feat for a Christian band operating outside their usual promotional channels. This was followed by "Honestly," which would become the band's most famous song, it successfully entered the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 23, and reached No. 1 on MTV, cementing the band's popularity—to the point that it even opened doors for them to perform as an opening act for non-Christian metal bands. 

 

The album began with "Abbys"—a somber intro designed to prepare the listener's ears. Once the listener is primed, the title track, "To Hell With The Devil," hits with full force; its sharp, cutting guitars perfectly frame the high-pitched yet powerful vocals of frontman Michael Sweet, which come through loud and clear. This led into the single "Calling On You"—a more melodic, catchy track featuring the kind of repetitive chorus designed to win over an audience. Next was another single, "Free," which boasted potent riffs and a solid chorus—the perfect formula for radio success—with Sweet’s vocals remaining as strong as ever. Not to be overlooked is Oz Fox’s fabulous guitar solo, which is sure to leave any listener more than satisfied. 

 

Finally, was "Honestly"—yet another single, and the one that climbed the highest on the charts. It is a power ballad that starts off gently but steadily builds in intensity, which is precisely why this track helped cement the band's popularity across all markets. After the main tracks—which, unfortunately, were placed at the beginning of the album, even though the label should have interspersed them throughout—the rest of the songs begin. "The Way" built in intensity and momentum, followed by two filler tracks, "Sing-Along Song" and "Holding On." The energy raised up again with "Rockin' The World," which draws the listener back in with its melodic style, followed by the ballad "All Of Me," and finally "More Than A Man"—a fitting closer for an album full of energy and power that captivated both Christian and secular audiences. 

 

Interestingly, the album became the subject of controversy due to its grotesque cover art, created by Robert Sweet, which depicted four long-haired, muscular angels using guitars to push the devil into a pit of fire. The fans didn't like it, so it was replaced by a simpler, black cover featuring the band's logo. I don't recall hearing this band around these parts until years later, long after their peak fame had passed. I was intrigued, however, that figures like Lars Ulrich and Sebastian Bach cited them as one of their favorite bands. At a time when even the Church considered their music—and the fame they achieved—to be sacrilegious, times have certainly changed. To this day, this album remains their greatest and most significant legacy, as it broke through market barriers and shattered the conventions that existed back then.

 

To Hell With The Devil Track List: 

 

1. Abbys (To Hell With The Devil)

2. To Heel With The Devil

3. Calling On You

4. Free

5. Honestly

6. The Way

7. Sing-Along Song

8. All Of Me

9. More Than A Man