The Rock That Doesn't Make Me Roll - A Review of Stryper's Can't Stop the Rock: The Stryper Collection 1984-1991

Christian heavy metal quartet Stryper has put out quite a few compilations and re-recordings by now that should help occasional and new fans discover and enjoy the band's enthusiastic, faithful and melodic take on the genre. Second Coming for instance would be my strongest recommendation for fans who want to hear what the band sounds like today while 7: The Best of Stryper dives deep into the group's origins and should suit seasoned veterans. Can't Stop the Rock: The Stryper Collection 1984-1991 was the quartet's last record before it split up for a decade. It features twelve songs for a running time of fifty-two minutes. This release turns out to be the quartet's least recommendable compilation in hindsight.

Let's focus on the positive aspects of this overall good average compilation first. It includes two new songs with great power ballad "Believe'' and rather exchangeable heavy metal tune ''Can't Stop the Rock" which refers to the band's music and religion alike. The group's most important songs are indeed included here such as up-tempo heavy metal anthem "Soldiers Under Command" and rhythmic stomper "To Hell with the Devil" but also ballads such as the longing "Lady" and the terribly saccharine "Honestly".

On the negative side, the cover artwork for this release is as bland, forgettable and uninspired as it gets. This compilation should have included more than only twelve songs to fully represent the band. Several beloved songs that the band has continued to play in concert for decades such as powerful anthem "All for One" are sadly missing here. This output rather focuses on the group's ballads and power ballads that have been aiming for commercial success.

In the end, Stryper's Can't Stop the Rock: The Stryper Collection 1984-1991 is a worthy purchase for faithful fans of the old days. It should certainly appeal to fans of melodic heavy metal, harmonious adult-oriented and rhythmic hard rock of the eighties. The greatest element to be mentioned are the two new songs of which one is excellent and one a good average tune. The compilation's biggest downsides are its limited track list and its heavy focus on balladry. My recommendation would be to pick up one of the other two aforementioned compilations rather than this one that hasn't aged particularly well.

Final Rating: 70%