Against The Law

Against the Law is the fifth release, and fifth studio album, from the Christian metal band Stryper, released on August 21, 1990 (see 1990 in music). Three singles/video were released for this album including "Shining Star", "Two Time Woman" and "Lady" but received minimal airplay.
This album marked a radical change in the musical and visual direction of the band. Gone were the yellow and black spandex outfits, the bold evangelical lyrics and the familiar yellow-and-black band logo with Isaiah 53:5. In their place were leather outfits, and lyrics more focused on rock n' roll and relationships, although arguably from a Christian worldview. The album was praised by many critics as the band's strongest work to date, but a large percentage of Stryper's Christian fanbase felt betrayed by this unannounced creative metamorphosis, and many of them accused Stryper of selling out their image and message for greater mainstream acceptance. As a result, Against the Law sold poorly compared to the band's previous gold and platinum releases.
"Shining Star" is a heavy metal cover of the classic Earth, Wind & Fire song.

Lineup

Michael Sweet (Sweet & Lynch) - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Oz Fox (Sin Dizzy, Bloodgood) - Lead Guitar/Background Vocals
Timothy Gaines (Sin Dizzy) - Bass/Keyboards/Background Vocals
Robert Sweet (Blissed) - Drums

Guest Artists

Randy "The Emperor" Jackson (Jean-Luc Ponty, Taxxi, Journey, American Idol) - Bass on "Shining Star"
John Purdell - Keyboards
Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman, Sons Of Apollo, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) - Background Vocals
Brent Jeffers - Drums/Keyboards
Tom Werman - Percussion