Description

Soldiers Under Command is the sophomore studio album by the American glam metal band Stryper, released on Enigma Records in May 1985, distributed by Capitol Records in the mainstream music market and Myrrh Records in the CCM market. The album was recorded and produced by Michael Wagener. Featuring Michael Sweet on lead vocals and guitar, Oz Fox on guitar and backing vocals, Tim Gaines on bass and backing vocals, and Robert Sweet on drums.

Soldiers Under Command was the first Christian metal album to achieve Gold record status, selling more than half a million copies.

SOLDIERS UNDER COMMAND – Stryper – Enigma 72077 – Producer: Michael Wagener – List: 8.98 – Bar Coded

The unlikely pairing of Christianity and heavy metal embodied by Stryper has made a dent off the bat – this LP shipped 150,000 copies – and the pure and elaborate sound produced by veteran Michael Wagener backs up the commercial response. From the opening title track to «The Rock That Makes Me Roll» and the bombastic version of the «Battle Hymn of the Republic» seems tailor-made for the current musical/political climate. [CashBox, September 7, 1985 (Album Releases section)]

Christian music’s premier heavy metal band returns with a vengeance. ‘Soldiers Under Command’ is Stryper’s full-length follow-up to the ‘Yellow and Black Attack‘ EP. Although the material flattens out a couple of times on side two, this is still quality stuff – heavy metal with an even heavier message.

At their best, Stryper combines the pin-point harmonies of Styx with the focused guitar assault of Scorpion – and «Makes Me Wanna Sing» is Stryper’s best. This up-front, up-tempo, uptown HM anthem is the LP’s highlight. And just a hair behind it are both the title track and «The Rock That Makes Me Roll».

‘Soldiers’ also features three power ballads. «First Love» is ambitious, but painfully self-absorbed. «Together As One», a wedding song, is a genuinely melodic mainstream ballad a la REO Speedwagon or even, believe it or not, Air Supply. «Battle Hymn of the Republic» – probably better know as «Glory, Glory Hallelujah» – receives a dramatic, apocalyptic reading complete with rolling thunder and soaring, angelic choirs.

Incidentally, one other Stryper trademark remains intact: the lyrics. These guys are serious – and thank God for that! [Bob Darden, CCM, December 1985]

> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/soldiers-under-command/1443998180)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Soldiers Under Command” – 5:03
A2. “Makes Me Wanna Sing” – 2:51
A3. “Together Forever” – 4:03
A4. “First Love” – 5:43
A5. “The Rock That Makes Me Roll” – 4:56

Side Two
B1. “Reach Out” – 5:21
B2. “(Waiting For) A Love That’s Real” – 4:36
B3. “Together As One” – 5:01
B4. “Surrender” – 4:28
B5. “Battle Hymn of the Republic (Glory, Glory Hallelujah)” – 2:36

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Enigma Records.