Christmas albums are tricky. There is the risk of looking like a sell out by stooping to the feeding frenzy of Christmas shopping as well as the risk of performing the same songs exactly like everyone else and losing artistic cred. Not only that, a Christmas album is a full album release with all the work of a “proper” album. Seems risky just to make a couple of bucks. But, the story of Christmas, the incarnation of God into time to save all humanity, is definitely worthy of the creative effort to make an album that can get back to the reason of the season. Here is where Stryper comes in.
The Godfathers of American Christian metal need little introduction, but it may come as a surprise that Stryper never did a Christmas album. The project was in cold storage for the last 40 years as evidenced by two Christmas songs showing up on their debut album in the mid-80s. This particular album, using the two earlier songs as a head start, build a compelling Christian metal album that blends both traditional carols and original songs into a new Christmas staple.
The album starts with ringing bells that herald in the original “The Greatest Gift of All.” This song sets the stage well with upbeat pep and optimistic air lauding Christ as the greatest gift of all. The bridge sets that snowy Christmas morning atmosphere with distant ringing bells and gentle twin guitars. Stryper keeps the energy up for the spiritual “Go Tell It On the Mountain.” I like the use of organ and backing choir that gives a small country church feel. “Heaven Came” is another original and sets the pattern for the album of alternating originals and traditional Christmas songs. The driving tempo make this a real hard rocker with my favorite twin guitar episode on the entire album.
“Little Drummer Boy” brings the tempo and energy down from the opening tracks to the point that it’s flagging. I’ll admit I am not a fan of the original, and then for them not to take advantage of a full kit for the drummer boy to solo or do something more than a couple of extra accents, is a miss. Let’s not dwell here.
We then turn to a stomping heavy metal song that has a darker lead lick and chugging guitars, but the chorus sheds a bright light in the midst of the song before the night takes over again. “Silent Night” is a pretty faithful rendering of the Franz Gruber hymn, replete with acoustic guitar accompaniment and well-done vocal harmonies. I like how this gentle song contrasts with it’s heavy metal neighbors. “On This Holy Night” is not your typical Christmas song, taking a more horror air with its distant bells, sustained minor key, and the lyrics speaking to how the world has taken Jesus out of the celebration of Christmas. Bouncing from the darker atmosphere, “Joy To The World” starts with acoustic guitar and slowly builds throughout the song as Michael makes the rounds on the verses making for a fun singalong.
The last two songs are re-recordings from “Yellow and Black Attack.” “Reason For The Season” starts with a raucous guitar building up into chugging guitars with a decidedly 80s hard rock feel to it. The song boasts an arena-sized chorus, plenteous guitar leads and an extended outro making it heads and shoulders longer than the rest without sounding the part. “Winter Wonderland” shows Robert on the drums how I wanted on “Little Drummer Boy” with pep and fills galore. The song is full of energy and fun with a bit of a groove to it. The solo showcases the best technical guitar work leading into a bluesy breakdown finish.
As expected, the performances on here are pinpoint perfect. I like the range of dynamics and tempos and the clear production of the songs. It is very clean. Michael’s voice holds strong after decades of performance and I am (slowly) learning to appreciate his timbre, which is a favorite of the melodic metal world. Even with my misgivings on “Drummer Boy,” the song selection and order make for an enjoyable listen with details like the bells, organ, and even windy sound effects adding that special Christmas character.
Fans have been waiting a long time for this one, and Stryper delivered the goods. If you are starved of a good rocking album that keeps Christ in Christmas, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of “The Greatest Gift of All.”
Rating: 9.0/10
Written by Sean Bailey
Tracklist
1 – The Greatest Gift of All
2 – Go Tell It On The Mountain
3 – Heaven Came (On This Christmas Day)
4 – Little Drummer Boy
5 – Still The Light
6 – Silent Night
7 – On This Holy Night
8 – Joy To The World
9 – Reason For The Season
10 – Winter Wonderland
Stryper is:
Michael Sweet – lead vocals, guitars
Robert Sweet – drums and vocals
Oz Fox – guitars and vocals
Perry Richardson – bass and vocals
Release Date: November 21, 2025
Record Label: Frontiers Records
Discography:
1984: “The Yellow and Black Attack”
1985: “Soldiers Under Command”
1986: “To Hell with the Devil”
1988: “In God We Trust”
1990: “Against the Law”
1991: “Can’t Stop the Rock” [Compilation]
2003: “7 Seven the Best of Stryper” [Compilation]
2004: “7 Weeks : Live in America 2003” [Live]
2005: “Reborn”
2006: “Extended Versions” [Live]
2007: “Greatest Hits – Live in Puerto Rico” [Live]
2007: “The Roxx Regime Demos” [Compilation]
2009: “Murder by Pride”
2011: “The Covering”
2013: “Second Coming” [Compilation] (review)
2013: “No More Hell to Pay” (review)
2015: “Fallen” (review)
2018: “God Damn Evil” (review)
2020: “Even The Devil Believes” (review)
2022: “The Final Battle”
2024: “To Hell With the Amps” (Acoustic) [review]
2024: “When We Were Kings” [review]
2025: “The Greatest Gift of All”
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Video For Still The Light
Video For Winter Wonderland
Video For On This Holy Night
Video For The Greatest Gift Of All