Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Album number 15 by the Japanese Christian metal band shows a slight improvement in production values that let down some of the Imari Tones' previous albums. The band's goal is to share Jesus in a particularly secular nation and they do this with rock music which draws on influences as broad as Rush, '80s metal and British pop rock of the '70s. The result is an album of songs that, in their homeland at least, are genuinely counter-cultural. From the opening power of "Testimony" to the runaway rock of "A Girl In A Mirror" and the pounding "God Kids", there's no mistaking the message here. "Faith Rider" is an '80s metal anthem and, I believe, a fan favourite. With the Flying V guitar on the front cover, it's clear that Stryper have a lot to answer for!

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