“40th Anniversary: To Hell With The Devil”

4 June, 2026 TMR 0 Comments 1 category

This year marks 40 years since Stryper’s landmark album “To Hell With The Devil.” This album was not only essential for Christian metal, but also for the glam metal genre as a whole. What better way to celebrate than to do a tribute album with current Christian metal artists re-recording the record, giving their own flavor as they collectively pay their respects? Roxx Records couldn’t agree more!

I like projects like this as it mixes up something familiar and broadens horizons. It is the inverse of a covers album. For this project, I am getting introduced to one of the most impactful metal records through a retinue of current artists that I know decently well. I know what they sound like in situ, but what do they do when they have to cover a 40-year old song? That depends on the artist.

This is a super fun album, thanks in no small part to Stryper’s foundational writing, but also a great diversity of vision by various artists on what these songs could be. This is about diverse a group you could have and still have a cohesive album that recognizably pays tribute to Stryper. That said, I think an extreme metal tribute to Stryper would be really cool!

The album opens with Ted Gardner’s (Moonlit Masquerade) haunting setting “Abyss 2.0” with some creepy sound effects, setting the stage for the title track. Reign Of Glory takes the bull by the horns and do a faithful cover of “To Hell With The Devil” with all of its anthemic stadium glory. The vocals and guitar solo are on point and excellently executed, breaking the ice for the project.

My fellow San Antonians Becoming Sons adds more weight in their rendition of “Calling On You” with heavier lower end and backing death growls. Stryper purists may object to the growls, but for one accustomed to growls in metal, it gives a nod to the extreme without abandoning the Stryper harmonies. I like it. Latter Reign’s take on “Free” screams in with soaring guitars. The drums drive relentlessly forward as this rock-oriented take showcases harmonized vocals and bouncy rhythms.

I really enjoyed German Pascual’s (Narnia, DivineFire, Solo) rendition of “Honestly” with its tender touch of heart in a peaceful acoustic guitar setting that settles the soul. Just as you are at rest, Testimony of Apocalypse unleashes an assault uniquely their own in their cover of “The Way” that shows contrasting of clean and blackened vocals with some excellent guitar work. Not everyone can sing like Michael Sweet, but the TOA crew show how to get around that quite nicely.

All For The King do an excellent rendition of “Sing Along Song,” adding in an AFTK style chromatic doom riff to lead into the meat and potatoes of the song. The vocals channel Michael Sweet very well. The next song introduced me to Undoubting Thomas with their cover of “Holding On.” Their style is akin to indie rock and landed really well in my estimation with heartfelt emotion in their soothing approach. Weapons of God come swinging next with “Rockin’ The World” which has punk energy going at a speed that approaches derailment. The vocals are not as tight leaving this one a little wanting.

Up to this point, most of the songs were in the ballpark of the originals with artistic embellishments. Enter Seth Metoyer (Mangled Carpenter, Pulpit Vomit). He took the original song apart, reimagined instrumentation, rhythm, key, and atmosphere and sutured it back together. For a salute to Stryper, I unequivocally love Seth’s version as he takes what was a clean ballad with light synth support and made it into this post-grunge, alt-metal emo song that’s brooding under its hoodie.

The album closes with two bangers. First is Motivik’s take on “More Than A Man.” Their grooving melodic thrash approach reminds me of all the qualities that make them a powerhouse in the Christian metal scene with flaming guitar solo and melodic vocals over blistering double bass. The last song is a bonus cover of Stryper’s “Soldiers Under Command” performed by Severed Angel, who throws out great energy in the verses and blows the stadium chorus up.

I am most impressed with the flow of the album that focuses on contrast from track to track to make each song stand on their own. Each song fits well and all of the bands did a great job here. I do have a preference for a run of songs in the middle, particularly TOA, Undoubting Thomas, and Seth Metoyer, but I think there is something for everyone on here, if you have any interest in Stryper. Well worth checking out!

Rating: 8.5/10

Written by Sean Bailey

Tracklist

1 – Abyss (Ted Gardner)
2 – To Hell With The Devil (Reign Of Glory)
3 – Calling On You (Becoming Sons)
4 – Free (Latter Reign)
5 – Honestly (Germán Pascual)
6 – The Way (Testimony Of Apocalypse)
7 – Sing Along Song (All For The King)
8 – Holding On (Undoubting Thomas)
9 – Rockin’ The World (Weapons Of God)
10 – All Of Me (Rock Mix) (Seth Metoyer)
11 – More Than A Man (Motivik)
12 – Soldiers Under Command (Severed Angel)

Release Date: April 17, 2026

Record Label: Roxx Records

Videos:

Abyss 2.0/To Hell With The Devil (Ted Gardner/Reign Of Glory)