Soldiers Under Command
Studio album by
Stryper
ReleasedAugust 23, 1985 [1]
Studio
Genre
Length45:02
LabelEnigma
ProducerMichael Wagener
Stryper chronology
The Yellow & Black Attack!
(1984)		 Soldiers Under Command
(1985)		 To Hell with the Devil
(1986)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Kerrang![3]
"Jesus Freak Hideout"[4]

Soldiers Under Command is the second release, and first full-length studio album from Christian metal band Stryper, released on August 23, 1985.[5] It was the first Christian metal album to achieve Gold record status, selling more than half a million copies. The album was originally issued on white vinyl. The Live in Japan in-concert video, released in 1986, was filmed on July 8, 1985 during Stryper's tour in support of this album.

A music video of the title track was released.

The inspirational verse for this album is 2 Timothy 2:3-4.

Track listing

All songs written by Michael Sweet, except where noted.

  1. "Soldiers Under Command" (Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet) – 5:03
  2. "Makes Me Wanna Sing" – 2:51
  3. "Together Forever" – 4:03
  4. "First Love" – 5:43
  5. "The Rock That Makes Me Roll" – 4:56
  6. "Reach Out" (M. Sweet, R. Sweet) – 5:21
  7. "(Waiting for) A Love That's Real" – 4:36
  8. "Together as One" – 5:01
  9. "Surrender" – 4:28
  10. "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (Julia Ward Howe) – 2:36

Personnel

Stryper

  • Michael Sweet – lead vocals, backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, lead guitar solo (4-7)
  • Oz Fox – lead and rhythm guitars, lead guitar solo (2-6, 9), backing vocals
  • Tim Gaines – keyboards and bass (1-7, 9, 10), backing vocals (8)
  • Robert Sweet – drums

Additional musicians

  • John Van Tongeren – keyboards, acoustic piano and bass (8)
  • Christopher Currell – Synclavier programming (10)
  • Doris Castenada – backing vocals (10)
  • Linda Mullen – backing vocals (10)
  • Tammy Thomas – backing vocals (10)

Production

  • Michael Wagener – producer, engineer, mixing
  • Bryan Ayuso – album design
  • John Scarpati – photography
  • Anne Revenge – additional photography

Charts

Chart (1985) Peak
position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[6] 78
US Billboard 200[7] 84
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[8] 5

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[9] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ Christensen, Brett. "Stryper: 'Soldiers Under Command'". Official Stryper Website. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  2. ↑ Henderson, Alex. "Soldiers Under Command - Stryper". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  3. ↑ Johnson, Howard (October 17, 1985). "Heaven's on Fire". Kerrang!. Vol. 105. London, UK: Morgan Grampian. p. 22.
  4. ↑ "Stryper, "Soldiers Under Command" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  5. ↑ Christensen, Brett (August 1, 2023). "August 23, 1985, Stryper releases the album "Soldiers under Command"". Official Stryper Website. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  6. ↑ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  7. ↑ "Stryper Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "Stryper Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  9. ↑ "American album certifications – Stryper – Soldiers Under Command". Recording Industry Association of America.
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