Stryper frontman Michael Sweet recently shared a detailed explanation about his regrets regarding the band’s “Against the Law” album. He addressed ongoing debates among fans in a statement posted on Facebook
The statement clarified Sweet’s feelings about the album and why he believes it was a departure from the band’s established identity.
“I’m gonna try one more time to explain my regret with Stryper’s ‘Against the Law’ album. It always seems to open a can of worms but I continue to see the debate online from those who think that I hate it. I don’t hate it,” Sweet said. “First, let me say that Tom Werman is a legendary producer and a great, great guy. I love Tom. He’s produced some of the most iconic albums of our generation. I respect him immensely. And always will. He’ll always be one of my all time favorite producers.”
Sweet explained his core issue with the album’s direction and its impact on the band’s identity.
“Personally, I wish we had never recorded the album. At least the way it is now. We should have stayed true to our classic sound. We had a very distinct sound. We established a sound. We went platinum with that sound. Sold out arenas and sold millions of albums worldwide,” he continued. “We threw all that out the window and tried so desperately to be something that we’re not – a typical hard rock band who tried so hard to ‘reinvent’ the wheel. We didn’t need to do that. The wheel was rolling and doing great. There was no need to change everything.”
The musician also addressed the personal and spiritual consequences he believes followed the album’s creation.
“Also, we became hypocrites in our lives. We went back to our old ways and became who we were before we re-dedicated our lives to Christ. Our marriages suffered, our lives suffered, our faith suffered, our finances suffered, you name it. Because we wanted to play rockstar and try to fit in,” Sweet said. “Sometimes I feel like when I express my opinions about that album, some people take it to heart and get offended. I mean no offense. I’m just sharing with you my personal feelings in my heart about those times and I am unfortunately not proud of them.”
Sweet concluded by acknowledging the album’s quality while maintaining his position on its representation of the band’s core identity and values.
Sweet’s regrets about “Against the Law” stem from what many consider one of the most controversial periods in Stryper’s career. The album marked a significant departure from their established Christian metal sound.
Wikipedia reported that “Against the Law” was released on August 21, 1990, as Stryper’s fifth studio album. The release represented a dramatic shift toward glam metal and hard rock. The album featured three singles including “Shining Star” (a cover of the Earth, Wind & Fire classic), “Two Time Woman,” and “Lady.” All three singles received minimal airplay compared to the band’s previous releases.
The commercial performance of “Against the Law” reflected the disconnect Sweet describes in his statement. Wikipedia noted that the album peaked at No. 39 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 25 on US Christian Albums. This significantly underperformed compared to their previous platinum-selling releases that had established them as pioneers of Christian metal.
The album’s controversial nature extended beyond its musical direction. Wikipedia documented that bassist Tim Gaines noted the album’s title itself was a response to criticism from some Christians who felt the band was going “against the law” of their faith. This tension between their Christian identity and their desire to appeal to mainstream rock audiences became a defining characteristic of this period.
The dramatic change in Stryper’s approach during this era represented more than just a musical evolution. Wikipedia indicated that the band drastically changed both their image and lyrical message with “Against the Law.” They moved away from the explicitly Christian themes that had defined their earlier work and helped them sell millions of albums worldwide.
