An Invitation to Cuddle Your Romantic Partner for Christmas - A Review of Stryper's To Hell with the Amps

Originally released independently under the dreadful title Acusticyzed, this album was released yet again three months later with new title To Hell with the Amps and a much-improved cover artwork. Christian heavy metal quartet Stryper offers ten acoustic versions of their own songs as well as a take on popular Christian hymn "Amazing Grace" written by clergyman and poet John Newton. These eleven songs clock in at forty-nine minutes.

This slightly above average experiment deserves some praise. The chosen songs include classics from the early years such as energetic "Soldiers Under Command" but also more recent cuts such as playful "No More Hell to Pay". The acoustic guitar play is harmonious, inspired and skillful alike. The drum play adds dynamic patterns in the right moments. The melodious vocals blend in wonderfully. The production is crystal clear and does the purpose of an intimate acoustic record justice.

Several flaws however also need to be pointed out. The track list is rather short as the band could have transformed more songs into acoustic tracks. The chosen cuts focus too much on balladry as the acoustic versions don't offer many differences to the tame original cuts. Songs like the saccharine ''Honestly" and the bland "Always There for You" make listeners struggle to stay awake while making it through this release. The acoustic version of religious anthem "Amazing Grace" sounds uninspired. This song has just been played so many times by so many artists that it has lost the magic it certainly once had. Regarding the musicianship, the bass guitar sound on this output is forgettable, tame and unimpressive. The band should have involved their bassist more into the reinterpretations of their very own songs.

At the end of the day, Stryper's To Hell with the Amps, also known as Acusticyzed, is only interesting for faithful fans and adamant collectors of the Christian American heavy metal quartet. The overall quality of this output is only just above average thanks to a few more dynamic songs among the overload of exchangeable ballads. This record rather invites to cuddle your romantic partner during the next winter season than to discover creative reinterpretations of traditional heavy metal. Bands such as Sonata Arctica might not have excelled with their latest acoustic reinterpretations but they have used a much more creative, diversified and fresh approach that has left a lasting impression. Stryper's new output will only last until next Christmas and then be completely forgotten in most cases.

Final rating: 60%