Uncasville, CT – The night of August 14, 2025 was certainly one to remember, as I had the opportunity to catch the band that brought Christian rock / metal to the mainstream, Stryper. Wolf Den is a small open area in the heart of the Mohegan Sun Casino complex in Uncasville, CT. It was somewhat ironic to have a glam rock Christian band playing in the heart of what some may consider a mecca of gambling sin, but to those gathered in the Den, the music was all that mattered.
The stage was small and the layout for members, Michael Sweet (vocals, guitar), Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitar), Perry Richardson (bass) was quite unique, with Robert not facing the crowd in front of the stage, but instead being seated behind a stack of Marshall amps that brought back fond memories of my young adulthood.
The set opened with “In God We Trust“, originally from their 1988 album of the same name; and updated on their 2005 Reborn album. After “Revelation” from 2013, they went into what I believe was the song that drew me to their music way back when, “Calling On You“. I could not help but wonder how many of those in earshot of the Den in the casino were using this moment call on God’s help… for the ace in the hole.
What was really fun about this show is where it was located. The Wolf Den itself is relatively small, however, it is not enclosed and anyone within hearing distance of the Marshall stacks was able to take in, “Free“, “Sorry“, one of their newest releases, “When We Were Kings“, and such! I do not frequent casinos, even those with live entertainment, but if I were to design one, this would be the way to go!!
Check out “When We Were Kings“
“Always There For You” led up to something I had never seen before in my years of show coverage and that was the band tossing out Bibles to the fans. As the story goes, when they first started back in the 80s, they would find the Bibles they tossed out mostly on the floor after the show. They now put their mark on the Bibles and now they find none. “More Than a Man” followed.
As the night progressed, it was clear Michael could still belt the songs. After “The Valley” and “Yahweh” (with audience singing along), Michael tried to change it up a bit, offering to give brother Rob a chance to sing while Michael took a seat behind the kit. The crowd wanted to see this as well, chanting Rob! Rob! Rob!! to no avail… perhaps next time.
As we took in the show, there was still plenty of hair on the stage to bring back the 80s glam feel (you had to be there). As I watched what they did on the small Wolf Den stage, I could only imagine what a show would have looked like on a larger stage!
As the night wound down, they kicked some riffs with “Surrender“, “Soldiers Under Command“, and “Sing Along Song“.
Of course, no Stryper revival would be complete with probably their number one hit, “To Hell With The Devil” from their best selling album of the same name. The place was rocking as the revival came to an end. Leaving the Den, I thought about trying my luck at a table. As fate would have it, I walked out with exactly the same as I entered. Halleluiah!
Stryper Setlist
In God We Trust
Revelation
Calling on You
Free
Sorry
When We Were Kings
All for One
Always There for You
More Than a Man
The Valley
Yahweh
Surrender
Soldiers Under Command
Sing-Along Song
To Hell With the Devil
Show Date: August 14, 2025
