Stryper is a Grammy Award nominated Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California, USA. Formed in 1983, they are pioneers in the mainstream popularization of Christian metal music.Stryper enjoyed great success during the late 1980s, with one Platinum and two Gold records, before breaking up in 1992 at a time when most metal groups of the 1980s were losing popularity. However, the band reunited in 2003 and are attempting a comeback in the Christian music world.
The name "Stryper" derives from the King James Version of Isaiah 53:5:
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
The scriptural reference is also part of Stryper's logo on most of their releases. (They also incorporate stripes into most of their outfits and their logo.) Once the band embraced the name of Stryper, drummer Robert Sweet created a backronym which is:
Salvation Through Redemption, Yielding Peace, Encouragement, and Righteousness.