Stryken
Encyclopedia
Stryken was a Christian metal
band from Austin, Texas
. They formed in 1986 and released one album, First Strike, the following year. The band has been characterized as a Stryper
clone; however, they tended to lean toward the extremes of the genre. The theme of the album is militant spiritual warfare
with a similar stance to that of Petra
. The lyrics, however, go further than those of most similar bands. The song "Crush the Head of Satan" takes the graphic imagery so far that the band was accused of promoting violence. The band did not deny this charge, and stated instead that the violence was "well directed."
The band is best known for disrupting a June 1987 Mötley Crüe
show. Before the show the band, wearing full armour
suits and carrying a large cross
, preached to the crowds twice. The first incident took place outside the venue, and the second in front of the stage. The band was arrested and released, no charges were pressed.
The armour suits were typical for the band, and were a reference to the "Armor of God" in Ephesians
6.
The members of Stryken all used stage names to conceal their true identities. One of the members of Stryken, stage name, Stephen Streiker, (birth name, Stephen Hopkins) has gone on to "repent" of his career in "Christian rock", which he now refers to as, "a contradiction of terms". Today Hopkins serves as an elder and pastor of a "family-integrated" reformed Baptist church in Burnet, Texas, and is the father of sixteen children. He also authored the book, The Cult of Jabez, and the falling away of the church in America.
Christian metal
Christian metal, also known as white metal, is a form of heavy metal music usually defined by its message in a song's lyrics as well as the band's dedication to Christianity...
band from Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. They formed in 1986 and released one album, First Strike, the following year. The band has been characterized as a Stryper
Stryper
Stryper is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet , Oz Fox , Tim Gaines , and Robert Sweet...
clone; however, they tended to lean toward the extremes of the genre. The theme of the album is militant spiritual warfare
Spiritual warfare
Spiritual warfare is a range of activity by various Christian groups whereby Satanic demons are combatted, using a variety of methods depending on the group, but typically through prayer.-Range of practice, history, and methodology:...
with a similar stance to that of Petra
Petra (band)
Petra is a music group regarded as a pioneer of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres. Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for "rock"...
. The lyrics, however, go further than those of most similar bands. The song "Crush the Head of Satan" takes the graphic imagery so far that the band was accused of promoting violence. The band did not deny this charge, and stated instead that the violence was "well directed."
The band is best known for disrupting a June 1987 Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
show. Before the show the band, wearing full armour
Armour
Armour or armor is protective covering used to prevent damage from being inflicted to an object, individual or a vehicle through use of direct contact weapons or projectiles, usually during combat, or from damage caused by a potentially dangerous environment or action...
suits and carrying a large cross
Christian cross
The Christian cross, seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is the best-known religious symbol of Christianity...
, preached to the crowds twice. The first incident took place outside the venue, and the second in front of the stage. The band was arrested and released, no charges were pressed.
The armour suits were typical for the band, and were a reference to the "Armor of God" in Ephesians
Epistle to the Ephesians
The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians, often shortened to Ephesians, is the tenth book of the New Testament. Its authorship has traditionally been credited to Paul, but it is considered by some scholars to be "deutero-Pauline," that is, written in Paul's name by a later author strongly influenced by...
6.
Members
- Dale Streiker - vocals, lead guitar
- Stephen Strieker - vocals, guitar
- Joey Knight - drums
- Ezekiel Vade - bass
The members of Stryken all used stage names to conceal their true identities. One of the members of Stryken, stage name, Stephen Streiker, (birth name, Stephen Hopkins) has gone on to "repent" of his career in "Christian rock", which he now refers to as, "a contradiction of terms". Today Hopkins serves as an elder and pastor of a "family-integrated" reformed Baptist church in Burnet, Texas, and is the father of sixteen children. He also authored the book, The Cult of Jabez, and the falling away of the church in America.