2015 studio album by Stryper
| Fallen | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Stryper | ||||
| Released | October 16, 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2014–2015 at Sprinthouse Studios (Northampton, Massachusetts) and Mixed Emotions (Middleton, Massachusetts). | |||
| Genre | Christian metal, Christian rock, hard rock, glam metal, power metal | |||
| Length | 52:22 | |||
| Label | Frontiers | |||
| Producer | Michael Sweet | |||
| Stryper chronology | ||||
| ||||
Fallen is the sixteenth release and the eleventh studio album by the Christian metal band Stryper, produced by the frontman Michael Sweet and released on October 16, 2015.
Background
Fallen is an album featuring the band's signature sounds and style on mostly original songs and one cover song, unlike several of their previous albums which covered their own songs (2013's Second Coming) and covers of others' works (2011's The Covering). However, the sound of the album is heavier, but still retains the band's melodic pattern. Five singles from the album have been released per month, "Yahweh", "Fallen", "Big Screen Lies", "Let There Be Light", and Stryper's second Black Sabbath cover, "After Forever".
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| CCM Magazine |   |
| HM Magazine | |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | |
| The Phantom Tollbooth | 4/5 4/5 |
Awarding the album four stars from HM magazine, Charlie Steffens wrote, "another wonderful album from some of rock and roll's best songwriters." Andy Argyrakis, giving the album four stars at CCM magazine, said, "Arguably the most game-changing Christian rock band in history, Stryper continues to excel with a steady stream of new music that fits right alongside a ten million-album selling catalogue." Rating the album a four out of five by The Phantom Tollbooth, Bert Saraco said, "Stryper marches on with Fallen – exactly what you want to hear from the iconic pop-metal band with a few surprises on the side". Derek Walker, in a four out of five review for The Phantom Tollbooth, responded, "It may not quite reach the heights of the previous release, but Fallen shows great ambition for a band this far into its career." In a four star review at Jesus Freak Hideout, Bert Gangl described, "the presence of the last few songs does ultimately render Fallen marginally less impressive than No More Hell to Pay."
Commercial performance
The album sold over 10,000 copies in its first weeks, which is 400 more copies than No More Hell to Pay in 2013.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Michael Sweet, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Yahweh" | Michael Sweet, Clint Lowery | 6:21 |
| 2. | "Fallen" | 3:46 | |
| 3. | "Pride" | 4:32 | |
| 4. | "Big Screen Lies" | 4:29 | |
| 5. | "Heaven" | 4:20 | |
| 6. | "Love You Like I Do" | Michael Sweet, Oz Fox | 3:53 |
| 7. | "All Over Again" | 3:50 | |
| 8. | "After Forever" (Black Sabbath cover) | Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Bill Ward, Geezer Butler | 5:51 |
| 9. | "Till I Get What I Need" | 2:41 | |
| 10. | "Let There Be Light" | 4:32 | |
| 11. | "The Calling" | Michael Sweet, Oz Fox | 3:54 |
| 12. | "King of Kings" | 4:13 | |
| Total length: | 52:22 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 13. | "All Over Again" (acoustic version) | 3:49 |
Personnel
- Michael Sweet - lead vocals, guitar
- Robert Sweet - drums, percussion
- Oz Fox - lead guitar, vocals
- Tim Gaines - bass guitar, vocals
Additional personnel
- Paul McNamara - additional keyboards, synthesizer and Moog
- Laura Manzi - additional vocals on chorus of "Yahweh"
Charts
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) | 87 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) | 37 |
| US Billboard 200 | 44 |
| US Christian Albums (Billboard) | 2 |
| US Digital Albums (Billboard) | 29 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) | 7 |
| US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard) | 2 |
| US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard) | 2 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) | 5 |
| US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard) | 17 |
References
- ^ Gangl, Bert (October 15, 2015). "Stryper, "Fallen" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- ^ Argyrakis, Andy (October 15, 2015). "Stryper: 'Fallen' album review". CCM. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- ^ Saraco, Bert (August 13, 2015). "Stryper - Fallen (Saraco)". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- Allmusic.com Review
- "STRYPER's Cover Version of BLACK SABBATH's 'After Forever' Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth. September 26, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ^ Steffens, Charlie (October 16, 2012). "Stryper – Fallen". HM. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- ^ Walker, Derek (October 1, 2015). "Stryper - Fallen (Walker)". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- "'Fallen' chart performance". Blabbermouth. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- "Swisscharts.com – Stryper – Fallen". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- "Stryper Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- "Stryper Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- "Stryper Chart History (Digital Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- "Stryper Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- "Stryper Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- "Stryper Chart History (Top Gospel Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- "Stryper Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- "Stryper Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
| Stryper | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums |
|
| EPs | The Yellow and Black Attack (1984) |
| Live albums | |
| Compilations | |
| Related articles | |
 Category | |