The Yellow and Black Attack
Encyclopedia
The Yellow and Black Attack is the first release from the Christian metal
band Stryper
. No singles were released from this six-song EP
, and fewer than 20,000 copies were pressed, as their label, Enigma Records
, was unsure of the potential market for Christian metal. CCM Magazine was slightly critical, citing production quality and the short length of the release, but commented that "Stryper has the promise of a major success story."
After Stryper achieved major success with their debut full-length album, Soldiers Under Command
, The Yellow and Black Attack EP was reissued. Re-released on August 10, 1986 with two additional songs, "Reason for the Season" (which was originally released on a 1985 Christmas-themed 12" single with "Winter Wonderland") and a new, mellowed-down version of "My Love I'll Always Show", which dates from their Roxx Regime days. The version recorded for The Yellow and Black Attack featured less obvious Christian lyrics than the one to feature on The Roxx Regime Demos
. Additionally, the original six tracks were remixed, with a major reduction in reverb the most notable change.
Even though The Yellow and Black Attack was originally an EP, critics now consider it to be a full album, their second album. Nevertheless, their next release, Soldiers Under Command is still regarded as the band's full-length debut.
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 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...
. No singles were released from this six-song EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, and fewer than 20,000 copies were pressed, as their label, Enigma Records
Enigma Records
Enigma Records was a popular rock and alternative American record label in the 1980s. It was initially a division of Greenworld Distribution, an independent music importer/distributor, which it split-off from in 1985 to become its own company...
, was unsure of the potential market for Christian metal. CCM Magazine was slightly critical, citing production quality and the short length of the release, but commented that "Stryper has the promise of a major success story."
After Stryper achieved major success with their debut full-length album, Soldiers Under Command
Soldiers Under Command
Soldiers Under Command is the second release, and first full-length studio album from Christian metal band Stryper, released in 1985 . It was the first Christian metal album to achieve Gold record status, selling more than half a million copies...
, The Yellow and Black Attack EP was reissued. Re-released on August 10, 1986 with two additional songs, "Reason for the Season" (which was originally released on a 1985 Christmas-themed 12" single with "Winter Wonderland") and a new, mellowed-down version of "My Love I'll Always Show", which dates from their Roxx Regime days. The version recorded for The Yellow and Black Attack featured less obvious Christian lyrics than the one to feature on The Roxx Regime Demos
The Roxx Regime Demos
The Roxx Regime Demos is a compilation album by Stryper consisting of songs originally released under the band's previous name, Roxx Regime, except for the track "Honestly", which is taken from a later demo...
. Additionally, the original six tracks were remixed, with a major reduction in reverb the most notable change.
Even though The Yellow and Black Attack was originally an EP, critics now consider it to be a full album, their second album. Nevertheless, their next release, Soldiers Under Command is still regarded as the band's full-length debut.
Track listing (1984 EP)
- Loud 'N' Clear (Michael Sweet) – 3:34
- From Wrong to Right (M. Sweet, Robert Sweet, Oz Fox) – 3:51
- You Know What to Do (M. Sweet, R. Sweet, Fox, Tim Gaines) – 4:47
- C'mon Rock (M. Sweet) – 3:46
- You Won't Be Lonely (M. Sweet) – 3:43
- Loving You (M. Sweet) – 4:15
Track listing (1986 re-release)
- Loud 'N' Clear (Michael Sweet) – 3:34
- From Wrong to Right (M. Sweet, Robert Sweet, Oz Fox) – 3:51
- My Love I'll Always Show (M. Sweet) – 3:38
- You Know What to Do (M. Sweet, R. Sweet, Fox, Tim Gaines) – 4:47
- C'mon Rock (M. Sweet) – 3:46
- You Won't Be Lonely (M. Sweet) – 3:43
- Loving You (M. Sweet) – 4:15
- Reason for the Season (M. Sweet, R. Sweet) – 6:30
Personnel
- Michael SweetMichael SweetMichael Sweet is a singer from Whittier, California, United States. Sweet is best known as co-founder, writer and frontman of the Christian glam metal band Stryper. He was also one of the two lead vocalists and one of three guitarists for Boston until August 2011.-Youth:He began his musical career...
- Lead vocals, guitar - Robert SweetRobert Sweet (musician)Robert Lee Sweet is the drummer of the Christian metal band Stryper. He and his brother Michael originally founded the band as Roxx or Roxx Regime. Robert became known as the "Visual Time Keeper" for his wild drumming and captivating drum kits...
- Drums - Oz FoxOz FoxRichard Alfonso Martinez , better known by the stage name Oz Fox, is the lead guitarist of the Christian glam metal band Stryper. Martinez's high school friends called him Oz in honor of Ozzy Osbourne due to his ability to emulate the vocals of Osbourne while playing Black Sabbath covers in his...
- Lead guitar, background vocals - Tim GainesTim GainesTimothy Gaines is bass guitar player of the Christian metal band Stryper.-With Stryper:Being a Sunset Strip regular, Tim joined the band in 1983, and quickly rounded out the quartet's sound with his bass, background vocals and keyboard skills...
- Bass, keyboards, background vocals