The Yellow and Black Attack

The Yellow and Black Attack
EP by Stryper
Released	July 1984
Studio	Music Grinder Studios (Los Angeles) MadDog Studios (Los Angeles)
Genre	Heavy metal, Christian metal, glam metal
Length	23:56
Label	Enigma
Producer	Ron Goudie, Stryper
Stryper chronology
The Yellow and Black Attack (1984) Soldiers Under Command (1985)
Alternate cover
Original cover

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
CCM

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." 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.

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.

Track listing (1984 EP)

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)

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

Stryper

• Michael Sweet – lead vocals, guitars
• Tim Gaines – keyboards, bass, backing vocals
• Oz Fox – lead guitars, backing vocals
• Robert Sweet – drums

Additional musicians

• Christopher Currell – Synclavier programming

Production

• 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

Chart (1984-1985)	Peak position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)	61
US Billboard 200	103
US Christian Albums (Billboard)	10