The Yellow and Black Attack

The Yellow and Black Attack is the debut EP by American Christian metal band Stryper. It was originally released in 1984 as a 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."[2] According to Michael Sweet's autobiography, the album was re-recorded and released as an official album, after their first manager, Daryn Hinton, loaned them $100,000 to re-produce the record. The album initially sold 150,000 units in the first three weeks.[3]

The Yellow and Black Attack
EP by
ReleasedJuly 1984
Studio
  • Music Grinder Studios (Los Angeles)
  • MadDog Studios (Los Angeles)
GenreHeavy metal, Christian metal, glam metal
Length23:56
LabelEnigma
ProducerRon Goudie, Stryper
Stryper chronology
The Yellow and Black Attack
(1984)
Soldiers Under Command
(1985)
Alternate cover
Original cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [1]
CCM[2]

After Stryper achieved major success with their second release and first 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.[citation needed]

Track listing (1984 EP)

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  1. "Loud 'N' Clear" (Michael Sweet) – 3:34
  2. "From Wrong to Right" (M. Sweet, Robert Sweet, Oz Fox) – 3:51
  3. "You Know What to Do" (M. Sweet, R. Sweet, Fox, Tim Gaines) – 4:47
  4. "Co'mon Rock" (M. Sweet) – 3:46
  5. "You Won't Be Lonely" (M. Sweet) – 3:43
  6. "Loving You" (M. Sweet) – 4:15

Track listing (1986 re-release)

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  1. "Loud 'N' Clear" (Michael Sweet) – 3:34
  2. "From Wrong to Right" (M. Sweet, Robert Sweet, Oz Fox) – 3:51
  3. "My Love I'll Always Show " (M. Sweet) – 3:38
  4. "You Know What to Do" (M. Sweet, R. Sweet, Fox, Tim Gaines) – 4:47
  5. "Co'mon Rock" (M. Sweet) – 3:46
  6. "You Won't Be Lonely" (M. Sweet) – 3:43
  7. "Loving You" (M. Sweet) – 4:15
  8. "Reason for the Season" (M. Sweet, R. Sweet) – 6:30
  9. "Winter Wonderland" (Japan bonus track) - 3:16

Personnel

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Stryper

Additional musicians

Production

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  • Stryper – producers
  • Ron Goudie – producer (1-7)
  • Jim Faraci – mixing
  • Eddy Schreyer – mastering at Capitol Mastering (Hollywood, California)
  • Brian Ayuso – art direction, design
  • Tom Utley – cover illustration
  • Glen La Ferman – photography

Charts

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Chart (1984-1985) Peak
position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[4] 61
US Billboard 200[5] 103
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[6] 10

References

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  1. ^ Henderson, Alex. The Yellow and Black Attack at AllMusic
  2. ^ a b Donaldson, Devlin (October 1984). "Reviews / The Yellow and Black Attack". CCM Magazine. 7 (4): 44. ISSN 1524-7848.
  3. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Michael Sweet Limited Edition Collectors Video (1994). YouTube.
  4. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  5. ^ "Stryper Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Stryper Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 May 2023.