STRYKEN - PRECIOUS METAL BOX SET (*NEW 3-CD Box Set, 2022, Retroactive) Limited to just 300 Box Sets!
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SHIPS ON JAN 26th, 2023
RRCD1656 Stryken 3-CD PRECIOUS METAL BOX SET 637405142914
3-CD Box Set - each CD includes a free Ltd and numbered Collector Card
1. STRYKEN-ONCE LOST...NOW FOUND (GOLDMAX) (Jewel Case/16 page booklet)
2. STRYKEN - BLITZKRIEG CD 637405143454 (6 panel wallet)
3. STRYKEN - STRYKER: THE EARLY YEARS CD (6 panel wallet)
RRCD1639 STRYKEN - ONCE LOST...NOW FOUND (GOLD DISC) 637405143430
- Includes free Ltd and numbered Collector Card
- 1st time ever on CD!
- Limited to just 500 units!
- GoldMax CD to ensure longevity and fight disc rot
- Includes the iconic First Strike album + bonus material
- 14 tracks / 7 new songs (remixed + 1st time available)
- Remastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound
- Band authorized special reissue
- 16 page insert w lyrics and band pics / jewel case
- Exceptional write-up by Doug Van Pelt of Heaven's Metal Magazine
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Up to this point, all of STRYKEN’s previously recorded material had been released under the band name STRYKER. This includes their “45 RPM single” in 1980, “four song EP/Demo in 1981” and “Blitzkrieg" album in 1983.
In 1986, they changed their name to STRYKEN, released their “two song single titled ROCK ON/SURPRISE and went on to add bass player Ezekiel Vade. In 1987 they launched their eight song FIRST STRIKE album and were one of the “featured” bands on K-TEL's “RIGHTEOUS METAL” album with notable bands like Petra, Barren Cross, Bloodgood, and Philadelphia.
STRYKEN – ONCE LOST NOW FOUND includes 14 songs with 7 new releases and 4 NEW SONGS that were “once lost” but “now found.” Never released songs like “A Man,” “Momma,” and the up-tempo, bass guitar centric version of “I Need Your Love” which begins with a killer synthesizer intro. Additionally, 3 “LIVE” audio recordings “now found” enhance the album with one track that covers the band member introductions and the bands message regarding the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. The album closes with “I’ll Be Home,” which Dale Streiker wrote for his daughter when she was very young and recorded as a wedding gift for her. Remastered by Bombworks Sound and a full write up from Doug Van Pelt of Heaven's Metal Magazine all come together to ensure fans get everything their collector's hearts desire!
ABOUT THE BAND
Often referred to as the “fundamentalists in armor” and playing what it describes as “thunder rock,” Stryken was put together in Arizona in the late seventies by founding members Dale and Steve Streiker initially under the moniker Stryker. After releasing a single and a four song demo, the two proceeded to place a want ad for a drummer, which led them to a talented timekeeper by the name of Joey Knight. A move to Austin came about in late 1982, and by the spring of the following year the band recorded a nine song cassette only release entitled Blitzkrieg that sold very well in the Southwest. By the mid-eighties, however, Stryker started to receive pressure from the Stryper camp about changing its name. Yes, Stryker rhythms with Stryper, but one important thing to keep in mind is that the name Stryker was trademarked by the band after it formed in the late seventies- a time when the boys in yellow and black were more than likely still in junior high school. Needless to say, cooler heads prevailed and the band agreed to make a change by switching the last letter in its name from an “r” to an “n”. Hence, Stryken was officially born. With a permanent name in place and its line up finalized with the addition of bassist Ezekiel Vade, Stryken went through a complete makeover in its image which saw each member of the group don body armor that is symbolic of the Armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:11. Stryken soon formed its own label, Chrystal Records, which it used to release a 12” single that included the tracks “Rock On” and “Surprise” in addition to its 1987 full length debut, appropriately entitled, First Strike (which came out only on cassette and red transparent vinyl).
So, what is the best way to describe “thunder rock”? Well, according to the band, “thunder rock” is a slower, powerful, driving beat, highlighting on guitars and drums. I might describe it as a combination of eighties influenced metal and straightforward hard rock certain to appeal to fans of Stryper, Bloodgood, Saint, Messiah Prophet, Whitecross, Motley Crue and Kiss. First Strike, upon repeated listen, actually proves itself quite the consistent effort in that its tracks, for the most part, are well constructed and hold up under repeated play. The album, for example, delivers its share of anthemic hard rockers (“Crush The Head Of Satan” & “Rock On”), a couple of upbeat melodic metal tracks (“One Way” & “State Of Emergency’), a slower, more driving number (“The Young Men have A Vision”) and a pair of ballads (“The Answer” & “Surprise”). And the band pulls it off without a hitch, which is a credit to the strength of the songwriting here.
Tracks
A Man
I Need You Love (Extended)
Rock On (Extended)
The Answer
One Way
Momma
Stryken Show Intro (Live)
Crush the Head of Satan
Surprise
The Young Men Have a Vision (Live Intro)
State of Emergency
Riot
I'll Be Home
Stryken Band (Intros and Message)
RRCD1641 STRYKEN - BLITZKRIEG CD 637405143454
- From the iconic band that released First Strike
- Includes free Ltd and numbered Collector Card
- Limited to just 500 units!
- 1983 album -1st time ever album released as a CD!
- Includes two new bonus tracks for the first time!
- 6-panel digiwallet with lyrics and band pics
- Remastered by Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound)
- Band authorized special reissue
- Exceptional write-up by Doug Van Pelt of Heaven's Metal Magazine
***STRYKEN: BLITZKRIEG (ABOUT THE ALBUM)
STRYKEN’s release of this 11 song BLITZKRIEG album, was born from the early STRYKER years. In 1983, as STRYKER, Polygraph Records released this 10 song debut album titled BLITZKRIEG with fellow band members Joey Knight (Drummer) and David Kurowski (Bass Player). The 11th song on this album is from their 1981 4 song EP of “Right of Way” and aptly titled “original version.” The other 10 songs were Produced by STRYKER and recorded at Third Coast Sound in Austin, Texas.
BLITZKRIEG was initially released on cassette tape with plans to release on vinyl however, the vinyl album was NEVER released. Many radio and podcast personalities noted hearing slight influences of bands like Mott The Hoople, Queen, Kansas, ELO and The Cars.
STRYKEN – BLITZKRIEG shows the band’s evolution into more Progressive Rock with songs like “Right Of Way” and “Circus Man” while holding onto their pop/power punk roots with “I’m Alright” and “It’s Over.” This is also the band’s first use of a Bible reference as they put JOB 37 at the end of the part number. The lightning bolt on the cover was inspired by JOB 37 from the Old Testament which speaks to the wonderful power of GOD regarding the weather and says: “He (GOD) unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth” but also talks about GOD’s majesty and glory! Remastered by Bombworks Sound and a full write up from Doug Van Pelt of Heaven's Metal Magazine all come together to ensure fans get everything their collector's hearts desire!
Tracks
Right of Way
Cross the Line
Look Away
Need Your Love
Circus Man
Surprise
Played
I'm Alright
It's Over
Blitzkrieg (Prelude)
Right of Way (Original)
RRCD1640 STRYKEN - STRYKER: THE EARLY YEARS CD 637405143447
STRYKEN - STRYKER: THE EARLY YEARS (*NEW-CD, 2022, Retroactive) elite Pre-Stryken album
- From the iconic band that released First Strike
- Includes free Ltd and numbered Collector Card
- Tracks date from the late 70's to early 80's
- Limited to just 500 units!
- 1st time ever album released as a CD!
- Includes two new bonus tracks for the first time!
- 6-panel digiwallet with lyrics and band pics
- Remastered by Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound)
- Band authorized special reissue
- Exceptional write-up by Doug Van Pelt of Heaven's Metal Magazine
ABOUT THE ALBUM
***STRYKEN: STRYKER THE EARLY YEARS
STRYKEN, originally known as STRYKER, was formed in the late 1970’s by Dale and Stephen Streiker in Arizona with a vision that rock music, just like books, radio and TV could be wholesome and uplifting while subtly pointing people to the GOD who made the heavens and the earth.
In 1980, as STRYKER, BIRC Records released 2 of the 50+ songs they had written and released them on a 45 RPM record. The 2 songs, produced by Joe Bidwell, were recorded at Autograph Recording Studios in Tucson, Arizona and were titled “On The Phone” (Stephen) and “As The Rain Goes” (Dale). These songs, at the time, were considered to be in the PUNK/POWER POP or NEW WAVE genre similar to The Cars, Ramones, New York Dolls and The Knack.
Soon thereafter, Joey Knight (Drummer) and David Kurowski (Bass Guitar), both from Tucson, joined STRYKER and now the stage was set to rapidly develop and record new music to share with their growing fan base.
STRYKEN – STRYKER: THE EARLY YEARS album, is an 8 song compilation of their musical work that contains 5 newly released songs, of which 4 have NEVER been released on CD nor MP3 including “Playing On The Radio,” “As The Rain Goes,” “On the Phone,” and “Life Can’t Be The Same” which provides you with a glimpse into how poverty and sacrifice played a positive role in their faith. Remastered by Bombworks Sound and a full write up from Doug Van Pelt of Heaven's Metal Magazine all come together to ensure fans get everything their collector's hearts desire!
Tracks
On the Phone
As the Rain Goes
Playing On the Radio
Need Your Love
Life Can't Be the Same
Right of Way
I'm All Right
It's Over
