American Christian metal band formed in Orange County, California in 1983. Long-running lineup: Michael Sweet (vocals/guitar), Robert Sweet (drums, his brother), Oz Fox (guitar), and Tim Gaines (bass, until 2017). Distinguished by their yellow-and-black striped visual aesthetic and their explicit Christian evangelism — they would throw Bibles into the audience at every show.
Released over a dozen studio albums between Yellow and Black Attack (1984) and When We Were Kings (2024). Commercial peak: To Hell with the Devil (1986, platinum, featuring "Calling on You" and "Honestly"). The first overtly Christian band to achieve sustained mainstream metal success.
