| Musical Style: Melodic Metal | Produced By: Michael Sweet |
| Record Label: Frontiers SRL | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2025 | Artist Website: Stryper |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 40:00 |
We tolerate Christmas albums because they’re popular, but we celebrate Stryper’s because it’s good. What makes the November 21, 2025 Frontiers Records released The Greatest Gift Of All such a solid work begins with a track listing predicated on five traditional Christmas songs re-imagined Stryper style, three new holiday themed cuts and remakes to eighties singles “Reason For The Season” and “Winter Wonderland”. It also encompasses manner in which the album has a ‘unique signature’ that embodies both the ‘Stryper classic sound, but at the same time it's got that undeniable modern-era Stryper sound too’ (quoting the groups press material). Aftermath is a release ‘that captures the spirit of the season in true old-school fashion’ while yielding the Stryper ‘unmistakable mix of faith, power, and metal energy’ (again, the groups press material either way).
I identity with The Greatest Gift Of All as a continuation of the momentum garnered with acclaimed 2013 comeback album No More Hell To Pay and carried over to the five highly regarded albums recorded by Stryper the subsequent eleven years. It brings similar levels of musical acumen, production refinement and attentive musicianship realized in the three well-conceived new songs including albums opening title track. “The Greatest Gift Of All” combines equal parts eighties melodic metal and hard rock, referencing the crunch heavy hooks and layered vocal melodies, and pop punk vestiges, ascertained in the mirthful if not spirited vibe to command. This one would fit nicely on 2005 sixth album Reborn. Lyric snippet:
There’s a light that’s shining
Through the darkest time
A fire warming up the coldest night
It’s not about the gifts
Wrapped underneath the tree
Bur all about the love that sets us free
In the Heart of Christmas time
Giving is what matters
Can we spare a moment of our lives
Helping others when they call
Is The Greatest Gift of All
Even better is second original cut “Still The Light”. What we have is nothing less a Stryper classic, inherent to an anthem like quality found in its front to back imperious riffs, emboldened character and magnanimous melody. Duel harmony soloing covers the instrumental moments. Michael Sweet remains a gifted songwriter. Lyric snippet:
Not in gold
Or robes of kings
No headlines
Or angel wings
A mother’s cry in a quiet town
While the world kept spinning ‘round
A stable floor
Was holy ground
Jesus
You’re still the light
Burning through the darkest times
Not a show or grand parade
But in a manger laid
The King
On similar level is third, “On This Holy Night”. Song presents with a darker resonance revealed in the opening ringing bells and unfathomable Sabbath-like guitar pressing ahead but also a symphonic aspect pointing to the echoing choir like backing vocals. Melody of the highest order attaches in glue like capacity. Yes, a bit outside the box far as Stryper is concerned by brilliantly executed. Lyric snippet:
No room for You in hearts or homes
As we keep scrolling through pour phones
In silence, after cheer
I know that You’re still here
Jesus, where’d you go this time
We lit the tree but dimmed Your light
Wrap Your name in tinsel lies
On this Holy Night
Of the five traditional Christmas covers, I gravitate to “Little Drummer Boy”. As one might imagine, timekeeper Robert Sweet takes center stage with his militant fills and rolls - noting the opening drum solo - followed by catchy harmonies mirroring the songs unmistakable melody. Michael fittingly lowers his register to match the songs dramatic mid-tempo allure, as walls of metal guitars cascade in and out of the mix. I would love to see this performed live.
Of equal form is “Heaven Came” (On Christmas Day)”. With ringing bells to start, song smoothly drifts to guitar melodies with a light modern tincturing - very catchy and drawing in on first listen - prior to launching into the unequivocal refrain uplifted by the group’s satiny vocal harmonies. Perry Richardson does a choice job with his classically influenced bass line. Lyric snippet:
There’s not a Star that shines
Like what He gave
And no carol sings like how He saves
From the birth
The cradle to the cross
To rising from the grave
And paying every cost
Heaven came
On Christmas Day
Angels sang
And the skies gave way
Peace of Earth the day
Heaven came
A step down but still good is “Go Tell It On The Mountain”. Song reveals a hymn-like feel with its open-air vocals to begin but also speaks of classic rock found in the periodic backend organ and acoustic guitar. The Michael Sweet and Oz Fox harmony soloing is spot on. Also of note is a soulful vocal tincturing not unlike fifth album Against The Law.
Also notable are companion tracks “Silent Night” and “Joy To The World”. Companion from manner in which each makes use of acoustic guitar, with the former a ballad in which keyboards allow a calm and gentle effect, and latter taking a heavier turn with crisp rhythm guitar. Not that the two are flawed, but I also feel the group potentially played it too conservative in that they could have done a bit more with either. Why not, for instance, take one in a blues-rock direction and other a country twanged heavy rock heading not unlike “Radio” off Michael’s 2016 solo album One Sided War. While were at it, an instrumental rendering would not be a bad idea either.
The “Reason For The Season” re-record extends to seven minutes as opposed to six and half for the original. It is also heavier in comparison with a thicker guitar and bass mix, while retaining the identifiable melody (backed by the similar lush vocal melodies) and chanted ‘hey, hey’ backing vocals. “Winter Wonderland” stays true to the original, albeit without the impromptu studio banter to start.
The Greatest Gift Of All meets expectations far as Christmas albums concern. First, a choice selection of songs when factoring those traditional and new, and second the type of creditable performance we expect of Stryper in terms of musicianship and vocals. Yes, I feel the group could have musically branched out on several cuts that impress as a bit formula, keeping in mind they nail it on standout covers to “Little Drummer Boy” and “Heaven Came (On Christmas Day)” not to mention newcomers “Still The Light” and “On This Holy Night”. Which brings us to my main point: The Greatest Gift Of All extends beyond being a just Christmas album but rather one Stryper fans can feel comfortable listening year around.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “The Greatest Gift Of All” (3:15), “Go Tell It On The Mountain” (3:06), “Heaven Came(On Christmas Day)” (4:07), “Little Drummer Boy” (4:06), “Still The Light” (4:03), “Silent Night” (3:23), “On This Holy Night” (4:33), “Joy To The World” (3:25), “Reason For The Season” (6:52), “Winter Wonderland” (3:09)
Musicians
Michael Sweet - Lead Vocals, Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Oz Fox - Vocals, Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Perry Richardson - Vocals & Bass
Robert Sweet - Drums & Percussion
Additional Musicians
Paul McNamara - Organ, Keyboards & Moog
Keith Pitman & Kendra Pittman - Additional Background Vocals
