BACK TO THE ROCK LIVE!

     Classic Petra is Bob Hartman (guitar and vocals), Greg X Volz (lead vocals), John Lawry (keyboards and vocals), Louie Weaver (drums), and Mark Kelly (bass and vocals).  Their 2011 BACK TO THE ROCK LIVE is comprised of two dvds.  The first is a live concert that was taped at Trinity City Music Hall in Tennessee on November 20, 2010.  The track listing is the same as is found on their 2010 BACK TO THE ROCK cd.  The concert fittingly begins with Psalm 78:35 playing over the speakers: "Then they remembered that God was their Rock, and the most High God their Redeemer."  This concert marked the first time in 25 years that this incarnation of the band had played live together and they really seem to be enjoying themselves and playing their instruments and singing with passion.  Greg X. Volz makes good use of the stage, utilizing leg kicks, jumps, and even running up and down ramps.  Volz makes it clear that the band wants to rescue the perishing and the prodigals-those who have tasted of God's goodness but have been tripped up by the enemy.  As always, with Petra, the songs convey meaningful messages. 'Clean' speaks of how believers are justified and sanctified.  'Angel of Light' warns of the schemes of the devil.  'Second Wind' speaks of spiritual renewal.  'Adonai' offers praise to God.  'Grave Robber' talks of Christ's ultimate victory over death and the hope we have resulting from that.  'Godpleaser' warns against seeking the approval of men.  The camera work and lighting are pleasing to the eye.  All in all, this is a mighty fine, professional concert.  I'm rating Disc One a 90%.
     Disc Two is a documentary recounting the formation and early history of this band that has won four Grammy's and 10 Dove Awards.  In the early 1970's Bob Hartman met bassist John DeGroff in Bible school in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and guitarist Greg Hough and drummer Bill Glover (classmates) and formed Petra.  In 1974 they released their debut, self-titled album with Hartman and Hough sharing lead vocal duties.  They brought in a number of guest vocalists on their second album COME AND JOIN US, one of whom was Greg X. Volz, who had been with the 'e' band.  Bob Hartman says: "The Jesus Movement was a genuine Holy Spirit revival."  People were completely turning around.  Petra wanted to evangelize and reach people who didn't go to church.  They were though, criticized for their rock sound.  Radio host Jerry Bryant recalls getting phone calls telling him he was going to hell for playing the devil's music.  In the early 1980's WASHES WHITER THAN was released.  It was not a big seller and had distribution problems.  Band members were leaving and Hartman considered hanging it up.  However, he met Mark Kelly and John Slick at a Bible study and hired them to join him and Volz.  Hartman recalls Christian record labels would say they would put Petra's records out, but not to expect much!  Petra's fourth album was NEVER SAY DIE and had on it 'The Coloring Song', originally by 'e' band.  It went to the top of Christian radio.  Petra hired Louie Weaver, a drummer who had been with Randy Matthews and Fireworks.  In 1982 Petra did 162 shows.  MORE POWER TO YA was praised by Billboard.
     Petra encountered charges of hiding secret evil messages in their music via backwards masking.  On their song 'Judas Kiss' they hid the following message in response: "What are you looking for the devil for when you ought to be looking for the Lord?"  Pastors prayed against Petra and people picketed their shows even though they gave an invitation at the end of their shows.  In 1983 they played 152 shows.
     For NOT OF THIS WORLD Petra used lights, stage effects, and costumes.  John Lawry from the Joe English band joined Petra on keyboards.  Their 1985 album BEAT THE SYSTEM used keyboards, electronic drums, computerized sound effects and fairlight synthesizer.  Petra played to 500 000 on the BEAT THE SYSTEM tour. 
     Hartman and Volz disagreed on Petra's future.  The tour had been expensive and the band was hurting financially.  In 1985 Volz left Petra to pursue a solo career.  John Schlitt was the first and last to audition for the vocalist position.  In 2005 Petra retired with a Farewell Tour.
     This fine documentary is forty-five minutes. It has some emotional moments. Louie Weaver is particularly grateful to be in Petra. John Lawry recounts how he was taken in as an orphan by missionaries when he was four and fighting malnutrition.  I'm rating this second disc a 87%.
For more info, or to purchase visit http://www.classicpetra.com/.
    

PETRA GOES BACK TO THE ROCK

     That's right folks!  Petra is back and this time they're going as CLASSIC PETRA.  BACK TO THE ROCK (2010)  is a noteworthy release for several reasons.  It marks the first time in 24 years that Greg Volz handles all the lead vocals.  He largely helped propel the band to fame from 1981 to 1986.  It also sees the return of long-time beloved and once dismissed drummer Louie Weaver.  Other band members on this project are Mark Kelly (bass), John Lawry (keyboards), and founder Bob Hartman on guitar.  BACK TO THE ROCK is being used to re-introduce Petra to the stage again.  International dates are set to begin this Spring, and stops at this summer's Cornerstone and Kingdom Bound festivals are already planned.  This tour will give many of us John Schlitt era fans the opportunity to see the Volz fronted version of our favourite band live for the first time.
     BACK TO THE ROCK consists of ten remade Petra classics and 2 new songs.  Bob Hartman's signature rock guitar work and solos standout throughout this album.  Fans of previous projects such as WAKE UP CALL and JEKYLL AND HYDE will appreciate this.  Hartman is one of CCM's best guitarists.  Of the remakes, three of my favourites are 'Angel of Light', 'Godpleaser', and 'Adonai'.  They are full of energy and spiritual passion, as well as encouragement to live the Christian life.  'Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows' looks at the state of the church: "Another sleepy Sunday safe within the walls/Outside a dying world in desperation calls/But no one hears the cries or knows what they're about/The doors are locked within, or is it from without?"
     What of the 2 new tracks?  'Back to the Rock' is a reworking of the song 'The Rock' from Greg Volz's 2009 GOD ONLY KNOWS solo project.  It reminds us we ought build our lives upon a firm spiritual foundation so we have staying power when we face the storms of life.  'Too Big to Fail' speaks of God being all powerful: "He stretched forth the heavens and He laid the foundations of the earth/All glory and honor and praise/To the One who lives and reigns." 
     Two more CD's are planned already, with the third said to be all new material.  It truly is a blessed time to be a Pethead!  For more info visit http://www.classicpetra.com/ or http://www.thepetrazone.net/.