The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music — #88: Stryper, To Hell With The Devil (1989)

Intro

Landing at #88, Stryper’s To Hell With The Devil (1989) is the technicolor crest of Christian metal’s first wave. Packed with sing‑along choruses and virtuoso guitar work, it bridged youth‑group cassette decks and MTV rotations, proving heavy music could carry a hopeful message.

The Album in Context

Born from the Los Angeles glam scene, Stryper—fronted by Michael Sweet with Robert Sweet’s thunder and Oz Fox’s fretwork—crafted songs that married fist‑pumping riffs to radio craft. The band’s visual identity (yellow‑and‑black stagewear) became an emblem of bold, public faith.

Production puts melody first: glossy vocal stacks, chimey acoustic interludes, and shredding leads that serve the hook. Lyrically, the band counters despair with declaration, inviting listeners to lay down baggage and call on Christ with confidence.

Standout Songs

• “To Hell With The Devil” — A rallying cry with a skyscraper chorus; the gang vocals feel like a stadium altar call.
• “Honestly” — The power ballad that crossed into mainstream radio—piano‑led introspection blooms into cathartic harmony.
• “Calling On You” — Uptempo, hook‑forward pop‑metal that puts testimony on the dance floor of late‑’80s rock.

Why It Matters

Musically, the album delivered world‑class craft: precision drumming, stacked harmonies, and guitar lines that balanced flash with song‑serving logic. Production embraced contemporary rock gloss without sanding off the band’s edge.

Spiritually, its witness was unmistakable—Scripture‑anchored, invitational, and courageous in a skeptical marketplace. The record’s success widened CCM’s footprint and gave Christian musicians a credible seat at the broader rock table.

What’s Next

From metal to majesty: tomorrow’s entry into The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, we move to #87 with Sandi Patty’s Morning Like This (1986)—a soaring celebration of worship and vocal excellence. Don’t miss the podcast as we connect arena anthems to orchestral praise.

Soli Deo Gloria!

This post is part of the series The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, celebrating the artists and recordings that defined a generation of faith-filled creativity.

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