We Listened To It In Its Entirety And Give You A Sneak Peek Into What It’s All About | Stryper’s “Throne Of Thorns” Is Just Around The Corner
The legendary pioneers of Christian Metal, Stryper, return with a new and impressive chapter in their illustrious career: their 18th studio album, “Throne Of Thorns,” set for release on September 25 via Frontiers Music Srl.
After decades in the business, Stryper continues to reaffirm its status as one of the most influential and enduring bands in classic metal, seamlessly blending its signature message with a sound that remains as powerful and relevant as ever.
Such was the announcement that kicked off the promotion for Stryper’s highly anticipated new album, the follow-up to “The Greatest Gift of All,” released in late 2025, but more specifically, the natural continuation of “When We Were Kings”—the album whose tour last brought them to Latin America and several other locations. Now it’s time for “Throne of Thorns,” an album billed—as always—as the best album Stryper could have made. Will that really be the case?
Well, in that regard, Robert Sweet (Stryper’s drummer) said: “Our new Stryper album will be out soon—can you believe it? It’s our 18th album! I’m convinced everyone is going to love it. Michael has worked very hard writing these songs and putting the whole thing together. Oz, Perry, and I have also put in a lot of effort to create what, in my opinion, is our best album to date. I’m sure that as soon as you hear it, you’ll agree. Thank you all for your incredible loyalty and for continuing to support what we do.”
We’d already gotten a little preview with the release of “I’m Alright (I’m Okay),” which has a sound more rooted in traditional Metal, with plenty of tight riffs and a relentless drive, while maintaining that unbreakable connection to the glorious ’80s; in fact, the song’s structure is simple and direct enough to be chosen as a radio single. Along with the announcement of the new album’s release date, Stryper took the opportunity to unveil the official music video for the track that gives its name to the Californians’ 18th studio album. But as the days went by, Stryper also previewed the tracks “Ashes To Roses” and “Throne Of Thorns” via digital platforms and social media.
We were able to listen to the new album in its entirety courtesy of the folks at Frontiers Music, so we’re going to give a brief overview—though we’ll provide a full review once we have the album in hand.
In that regard, “Throne of Thorns” kicks things off with plenty of guitar riffs and an intense, heavy rhythm, alongside Stryper’s now-characteristic melodic choruses—though not as over-the-top as in the past, returning in a way to a more “Stryper” sound, so to speak. What follows with “Here In Your Heart” is no slouch either; it’s mid-tempo, with the guitars setting the pace with much heavier riffs—which is more than welcome news.
And in the same vein, we find “Falling,” a track that takes us back to Stryper’s old ’80s material with a modern sound, and then comes “I’m Alright (I’m Okay),” chosen as the lead single from this new album, and of course, the classic ballad couldn’t be missing—in this case, embodied by “Waiting For You,” with the notable rock edge provided by the guitars always taking the lead.
Up to this point, we haven’t encountered anything very different from what Stryper has accustomed us to in recent years, but “Carry The Flame” seems to be the standout track on the album, especially because of the melodies and riffs that stray a bit from Stryper’s usual style, while still staying true to the overall tone—which is marked by intense riffs and heavy guitars, a detail that’s far from insignificant.
Next, “Hollywood” takes us back to something more in the vein of “When We Were Kings”—that is, a sort of ballad powered by a heavy dose of powerful riffs, with a restrained rhythm and a decidedly rock-oriented vibe, yet one that features one of the album’s best guitar solos.
We love that Stryper continues to embrace metal, and it’s “Beautifully Broken” that once again brings the band closer to the most classic heavy metal genre, with that indelible ’80s stamp that Stryper carries in its blood; possibly a contender for one of the album’s best tracks. Meanwhile, “Ashes To Roses”—a track already in circulation—is a charming ballad with a pop-infused sound, perfect for becoming a radio classic on any station dedicated to “’80s classics,” or simply a pleasant companion for a road trip.
“Alone Again” has a dark sound and, at times, a slight stoner vibe—and as we’ve been saying, the heaviness of the low-pitched, deep-toned guitars plays a big part in that; the result is interesting and offers a glimpse into the band’s evolution on this new album, but it’s with “Shadowbreaker” that we finally get the Stryper we love. Fast, furious, heavy, and intense, with a certain nod to the classic “Rock The Hell Out Of You”—though, of course, with some differences—it’s nonetheless a great closing track for an album that stands out as one of the best things Stryper has done in recent years.
The most notable change is that heavy guitar riffs dominate the sound, and that’s good news. One minor detail worth noting is that Oz Fox, Stryper’s legendary guitarist, did not participate in the recordings this time around, strictly for health reasons. Even so, his absence doesn’t detract from an album built precisely around the guitars.
There’s only one ballad, and none of the tracks sound as sleep-inducing as they sometimes did in the past. “Throne of Thorns” is something else entirely—it’s an album that, while staying true to what we already know about Stryper, stands out thanks to its riffs, much heavier rhythms, and the guitar sound that sets the pace throughout the entire album. We’ll revisit “Throne Of Thorns” once we get our hands on the physical copy, likely with a much more in-depth review.
Regarding the album’s title track, Michael Sweet commented: “”Throne Of Thorns” is a powerful message. Christ is on the throne, and we are redeemed thanks to the crown of thorns He endured. This song is a perfect representation of our 43 years—of who we were and who we are. Intense yet melodic, classic yet modern, and 100% Stryper!”
That’s not all; regarding the album itself, both Perry Richardson and the beloved Oz Fox have something to say. “The best music doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from living, fighting, growing, and refusing to give up. I hope these songs reach you just when you need them”, said Stryper’s blond bassist, and the band’s longtime guitarist also commented, “I’m very happy with the final result of this album and with the passion that’s been poured into it. Michael continues to pour everything he has into the music and the message; Robert brings the power and energy that have always been the heartbeat of Stryper; Perry’s musical mastery, vocal talent, and dedication are unmatched, and I’m grateful to be part of this journey alongside all of them.”
Finally, it’s worth noting that Stryper, along with the official announcements of the new album and the new music video, has officially announced the tour they’ll be embarking on across the United States, wrapping up the tour (as is their custom) in Puerto Rico in December. Will 2027 be Latin America’s turn? It’s quite possible. In the meantime, check out the official music video for “Throne Of Thorns” below—the title track of Stryper’s new album, which will be officially released on September 25 via Frontiers Music. And as always, here are the band’s social media links so you can follow them and stay up to date on their latest news and updates…
https://www.facebook.com/Stryper
https://www.instagram.com/stryper
