Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Leaving aside the absurd ban by America's Walmart chain, the veteran rockers have delivered what some fans are already proclaiming their greatest ever album and one which is surely akin to their classic 'To Hell With The Devil' (and that of course was released way back in 1986). What is most impressive is how the band managed to retain their heavy rock/metal musical credentials while bringing in some modern rock elements so that this set in all its sonic power sounds like a new album rather than a re-issue of some classic oldie. And Michael Sweet's songwriting just seems to get better and better. Take "You Don't Even Know", a searing condemnation of condemnation which starts with classic metal before morphing into powerful alternative rock. Then there's "Lost" with a chorus which will surely have stadium crowds singing along to in the years ahead. Or the Black Sabbath-styled riffing of "Take It To The Cross" which suddenly moves into a death metal chorus performed by Matt Blanchard (Act Of Defiance, Shadows Fall). The title track and the album's first single "Sorry" has classic Stryper sing-along choruses and some powerful guitar shredding from Oz Fox. The band's new man Terry Richardson is served well by some bass-heavy mixes and Michael Sweet's falsetto shrieks have never sounded better. All in all, a powerfully executed album that confronts the forces of evil gripping our world with commendable passion.

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