| God Damn Evil | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 20, 2018 | |||
| Recorded | 2017–2018 | |||
| Genre | Christian metal | |||
| Length | 44:46 | |||
| Label | Frontiers | |||
| Producer | Michael Sweet | |||
| Stryper chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from God Damn Evil | ||||
| ||||
God Damn Evil is the seventeenth release and twelfth studio album by Christian metal band Stryper, produced by frontman Michael Sweet and released on April 20, 2018. Bass guitar was played by John O'Boyle as current bassist Perry Richardson could not due to scheduling conflicts. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| CCM Magazine | [3] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |  [4] |
| Sonic Perspectives | 8.3/10 [5] |
Awarding the album four stars from CCM Magazine, Matt Connor writes, "Their unapologetic approach to stay true to their now classic rock/metal roots rewards longtime fans." [3] Andie Hardee, giving the album three and a half stars at Jesus Freak Hideout, states, "As impressive as the musicianship is, the songs themselves are also enjoyable." [4] Rating the album an 8.3 out of 10 by Sonic Perspectives, Alan Cox says, "Stryper is rocking so hard and well that even some close-minded skeptics are bound to be converted." [5] Wayne Parry, reviewing for The Washington Post, responds, "At an age where many heavy metal wailers dial it back due to the strains of decades of high notes, singer and guitarist Michael Sweet doubles down on his other worldly vocals." [6]
The name of the album has been the source of controversy and has caused some Christian music retailers and even Walmart to not stock physical CDs in their stores. Michael Sweet has responded by saying, "We're disappointed. Stryper has always been about making people think outside the box. Our new album title, God Damn Evil, is a statement that's needed in our society. We've seen evil rise to new levels and this title is simply a prayer request asking God to damn or condemn all the evil around us. Many chains have joined us in making such a statement. Walmart, unfortunately, has not. The odd thing is of all the chains out there we assumed Walmart would be one to understand exactly what our point and purpose is. Unfortunately not. Although we respect their decision and what's done is done, it's frustrating to see something that's meant for good get misinterpreted and misunderstood." [7]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Take It to the Cross" | 4:53 |
| 2. | "Sorry" | 3:53 |
| 3. | "Lost" | 3:44 |
| 4. | "God Damn Evil" | 4:05 |
| 5. | "You Don't Even Know Me" | 4:10 |
| 6. | "The Valley" | 4:13 |
| 7. | "Sea of Thieves" | 3:40 |
| 8. | "Beautiful" | 4:03 |
| 9. | "Can't Live Without Your Love" | 4:43 |
| 10. | "Own Up" | 3:43 |
| 11. | "The Devil Doesn't Live Here" | 3:23 |
| Total length: | 44:30 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Can't Live Without Your Love" (alternate version) |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Can't Live Without Your Love" (alternate version) | |
| 13. | "Loud 'N' Clear" (1983 Demo) | |
| 14. | "Co'mon Rock" (1983 Demo) |
Stryper
Additional personnel
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [8] | 138 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [9] | 186 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [10] | 30 |
| US Billboard 200 [11] | 77 |
| US Christian Albums (Billboard) [12] | 2 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) [13] | 5 |
| US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard) [14] | 3 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [15] | 6 |
Euphoria is the seventh studio album by English rock band Def Leppard, released on 8 June 1999 in the United States and on 14 June 1999 in the United Kingdom by Mercury Records. The album aimed to return to their signature sound made famous by the band in the 1980s. It was produced by the band with Pete Woodroffe. The album charted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and No. 11 on the UK Albums Chart. It includes the song "Promises", which hit the number one spot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.
Michael Harrison Sweet is a singer and guitarist from Whittier, California; he is the co-founder, songwriter, guitarist and lead singer of the Christian metal band Stryper. He's also had a successful solo career, and briefly served as singer and guitarist for Boston from 2007 to 2011.
To Hell with the Devil is the third studio album by the Christian metal band Stryper, released in 1986. It was the first Christian metal album to achieve platinum status, selling over one million copies. It remained the best-selling Christian metal album until P.O.D.'s Satellite in 2001.
Soldiers Under Command is the second release, and first full-length studio album from Christian metal band Stryper, released on August 23, 1985. It was the first Christian metal album to achieve Gold record status, selling more than half a million copies. The album was originally issued on white vinyl. The Live in Japan in-concert video, released in 1986, was filmed on July 8, 1985 during Stryper's tour in support of this album.
The Yellow and Black Attack is the first release and debut studio album from the Christian metal band Stryper. It was originally released as a six-song EP, and fewer than 20,000 copies were pressed, as their label, Enigma Records, was unsure of the potential market for Christian metal. CCM Magazine was slightly critical, citing production quality and the short length of the release, but commented that "Stryper has the promise of a major success story." According to Michael Sweet's autobiography, the album was re-recorded and released as an official album, after their first manager, Daryn Hinton, loaned them $100,000 to re-produce the record. The album initially sold 150,000 units in the first three weeks.
Reborn is the sixth album from the Christian metal band Stryper, and the first full-length album of new material since Against the Law in 1990. Reborn was slated to be a Michael Sweet solo record, but after their reunion tour, Sweet played it for the other members, at which time Oz Fox suggested it should be a Stryper record. So the other members came in and learned their parts from the original demos. Sweet says in his autobiography, Honestly: My Life and Stryper Revealed, that he convinced Big3 Records, which had signed him for a solo release, to make it a Stryper record deal. Thus, Reborn became the first all-original Stryper record in 15 years.
In God We Trust is the fourth studio album by Christian metal band Stryper, released in 1988. The album achieved Gold record status, selling over half a million copies. Three singles were released including "Always There For You" and "I Believe in You" which both hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart peaking at No. 71 and No. 88 respectively - the second song, however, became a hit in Brazil, as part of soundtrack of the novela O Salvador da Pátria. The third single "Keep The Fire Burning" did not chart. The album received two GMA Dove Awards for "Hard Music Album" and "Hard Rock Song" for the title track.
Songs from the Sparkle Lounge is the tenth studio album by the English rock band Def Leppard. It was released on 25 April 2008 in Europe and 29 April in North America.
Murder by Pride is the seventh studio album by Stryper. It was released on July 21, 2009 by Big 3 Records. The first single for the album, "Peace of Mind", debuted at No. 27 on Christianrock.net on October 24, 2008 and peaked at 1 on February 22, 2009. The track is a cover version, originally performed by rock band Boston on its debut 1976 self-titled album. Michael Sweet was a touring member of Boston for several years, before parting ways amicably in 2011.
Stryper is an American Christian metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet, Oz Fox (guitar), Perry Richardson, and Robert Sweet (drums).
The Covering is the thirteenth release and eighth studio album by American Christian heavy metal/hard rock band Stryper, released by Big 3 Records/Sony on February 15, 2011. The album is a collection of twelve cover songs from bands that inspired Stryper and helped to shape the band's sound and musical identity. The album also includes "God", a new original recording.
Last of a Dyin' Breed is the fourteenth studio album by American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. The album was announced on May 2, 2012, for release on August 21, 2012, and September 17 in the UK. It is the first Lynyrd Skynyrd album to feature Peter Keys on keyboards and Johnny Colt on bass and features guest guitarist John 5. It was also the final album to feature guitarist Gary Rossington before his death in 2023. The first single, "Last of a Dyin' Breed", was made available to purchase via iTunes on July 9, 2012.
Second Coming is the fourteenth release and ninth studio album by American Christian heavy metal/hard rock band Stryper. The album features re-recorded versions of earlier material as well as two new songs.
No More Hell to Pay is the fifteenth release and tenth studio album from Christian glam metal band Stryper, produced by band frontman Michael Sweet and released on November 5, 2013 by Frontiers Records. The album garnered positive critical reception from music critics as well as commercial success.
I'm Not Your Suicide is the sixth studio album from the Christian music musician and Stryper frontman Michael Sweet, who helmed the production on the album. The album released on May 6, 2014, by Big3 Records. This album charted at No. 154 on the Billboard 200 and it was awarded a five star rating by CCM Magazine and a four star rating from HM.
Fallen is the sixteenth release and the eleventh studio album by the Christian metal band Stryper, produced by the frontman Michael Sweet and released on October 16, 2015.
Prayers for the Damned is the fourth studio album by American rock band Sixx:A.M. It is the first half of the Prayers for the Damned/Blessed double album. It was followed by the second half, Prayers for the Blessed seven months later.
One Sided War is the seventh studio album from the Christian musician and Stryper frontman Michael Sweet, who helmed the production on the album. The album released on August 26, 2016 by Rat Pak Records. This album charted at No. 77 on the Billboard 200 and it was awarded a five star rating by CCM Magazine.
The Stage is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It was released on October 28, 2016, through Capitol Records, their only release through the label. It is the first Avenged Sevenfold album to feature drummer Brooks Wackerman, who joined the band in November 2015 but was not revealed as previous drummer Arin Ilejay's official replacement until Ilejay's departure in 2015, because the band wanted to find a drummer that would "fit in".
Cage to Rattle is the fifth studio album by American rock band Daughtry, released on July 27, 2018, through RCA Records. This is their first studio album in five years since Baptized in 2013. At just ten songs, this album is Daughtry's shortest album to date. It is also their first album with drummer Brandon Maclin. Upon its release the album received predominantly positive reviews from music critics, with some calling it the group's strongest and most mature work. This was Daughtry's last album to be released on RCA Records.
