God Squader’s Stryper are back with the original lineup and paying homage to more than the supreme deity of the universe on this 11-track gem of classic rock and metal tunes. Perhaps bandleader Michael Sweet was spending time worshiping the god’s of rock when he became inspired to re-create these classic tunes of his youth.

What’s cool about this one is the songs that were chosen. For starters, they are diverse, ranging from Kiss to Kansas to Iron Maiden to Sweet. Secondly, they are performed well, which is saying something considering they took on songs including “Carry On Wayward Son” from Kansas, “On Fire” from Van Halen, “Heaven and Hell” from Black Sabbath and “Over the Mountain” from Ozzy Osbourne. Okay, so the riffs to “Breaking the Law,” “Set Me Free” and “Shout It Out Loud” are easy to play but Stryper still does them righteously.

Each song is true to the original with the band taking a few musical moments to throw in their own style. This is best demonstrated in Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” and in “Heaven and Hell,” perhaps the best tune on the album.

Most cover albums are only listened to once or twice but this one will keep finding it’s way into your MP3 or CD player as the versions are unique and well thought out.

One can only pray that the band can take this kind of musical magic into the studio and create some originals worthy of the same amount of worship as these classic ditties.