Petra | SermonIndex

sermonindex Feb 7, 2007

So as not to cause the same confusion that occurred on the Wagner thread, I am referring to the Christian rock band ~~[b]~~Petra[/b], and not the city mentioned in the Bible.

Anyway... I just completed listening to an mp3 set of CD's of everything they ever recorded... starting in 1974 up to their farewell concert in 2005. Wow... talk about longevity. And these guys never sold out or watered down their message. It was as strong when they retired last year as it was in 1974.

Took me 3 days to listen to all this music.

Anyone else hear ever paid any attention to this band? What are your thoughts?

Krispy

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Provost Feb 7, 2007

All I can say is I dig'em. I am younger and into a little harder music, but dude can sing, and the message is awesome. Yeah I really talented and really a blessing(I like that they sing Scriptures)

sermonindex Feb 7, 2007

Yea, the 3rd lead singer was good (I remember him from his secular rock days before the Lord got ahold of him), but I think the 2nd lead singer, Greg X. Volz had a much better voice. His octave range is superhuman it seems.

Whoever was singing the leads on the first album (1974) .... not so good. No wonder they didnt record another album until they picked up Greg in 1977! lol

Yea, while they're lyrics were not as "in your face" as Keith Green, they sang Bible... big time. I think they're calling was more of an encourager than reprover, like Keith was.

Krispy

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RobertW Feb 7, 2007

Anyone else hear ever paid any attention to this band? What are your thoughts?

I like a few of their songs, especially, "Take Me In" (to the Holy of Holies). :-)

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Provost Feb 7, 2007

Take me in is one of my top 10 all time :-)

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hulsey Feb 7, 2007

Petra is still one of my favorites. I've listened to them from the first time that I came to the faith. I met a couple of band members and attended several of their concerts.

Their album that I like the best is "This Means War."

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preacherafla Feb 7, 2007

I particularly like "Not of this World" We are aliens (foreigners) on earth and the church seems to have forgotten this.

In His service,
Preacheraflame

sermonindex Feb 7, 2007

Yea, man... Not Of This World is a haunting song. I love that song. The music is as powerful as the words.

I put that song on whenever I get frustrated at life. "We are strangers... we are aliens... we are not of this world..."

I also like Beyond Belief... and Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows. Both are great songs from two different "Petra era's".

One of my wife's favorites is The Coloring Song. Thats a classic.

Krispy

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preacherafla Feb 7, 2007

Yes, the coloring song is a classic and it also has a good message. Another of their songs that is not necessarily cheerful but I think was one of the first Christian Bands to touch on suicide was "For Annie". But my favorite is still "Not of this World". It's a little slower but I really like the music to "Road to Zion." I am not sure of the theology of the song but I like the simple music of it.
Thanks for this fun thread!

In His service,
Preacheraflame

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MSeaman Feb 7, 2007

Yep, I like them.

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hulsey Feb 7, 2007

One of my wife's favorites is The Coloring Song. Thats a classic.

The Coloring Song actually became the number one on the Southern Gospel charts when they released it.

sermonindex Feb 7, 2007

Ooo..ooo ooo! What about Grave Robber!! What an incredible message in that song. I'm thinking about requesting it be played at my funeral. Seriously... what a great witness to all my unsaved kinfolk!

"...death will be swallowed in sweet victory! Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite... when the Grave Robber comes like a theive in the night..."

Krispy

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caldwell1 Feb 8, 2007

Alot of those types of band were used by God in tremendous ways.to reach folks like me that were headbangers back in the day.So now in Christ I can enjoy thier music that's got some great musicianship behind as well as a right on biblical message.my buddy let me borrow thier greatest hits cd and they rock for the Rock! Stryper is another band used by God in huge ways they are my fave and still rocking with a tour and new album coming out soon as well as Michael Sweet thier lead singer/guitarist has an excellent album of Hymns out called Him.The yellow and black attack is back! It would be so cool to see Petra come back for one more tour with Stryper. :-P

sermonindex Feb 8, 2007

yea, Stryper was ok. When I was a heathen metal head back in the 80's I used to laugh at them. But looking back, that put out some great music... just wish they hadnt looked like bumble-bees in mascara.

The new CD they put out last year was ... ok. Not great. But ok. BUT... spiritually, I think they are leap years ahead of where they were in the 80's. So, Stryper today, love where their hearts are with God... just wish the new music was better.

Krispy

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jamccor Feb 8, 2007

Speaking of Stryper, or Michael Sweet, I just picked up 3 of his solo records from Amazon. I am listeing to "Truth" and it is awesome! Cant wait for the other 2.

John

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philologos Feb 8, 2007

well, I had never heard of Petra but you got be curious so I downloaded some stuff. Most of what I have I like very much. Some has almost a 50's sound to it. Very acceptable to some of us older folk. Thanks.

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BenBrockway Feb 8, 2007

Petra.... man what a band! They were Beyond Belief! Anyways, I have good and bad memories of them. The bad - my parents thought they were satanic and didn't want me listening to them. The good - my cousin would sneak the music into our house when he came over and we would listen to Petra while playing basketball. Ok, so I was disobeying my parents, but man Petra was On Fire! I couldn't resist Petra, they were like Not Of This World!

What's funny now is that my parents love their lyrics and music when they hear them on the radio. Whenever I see my parents and a petra song comes up on the radio, I always remind them that Petra is satanic, and get a nice laugh out of it.

sermonindex Feb 8, 2007

LOL... yea, hard to imagine them being labeled satanic. Man, Christian music today is not what it was back then. My only regret is that I wasnt saved back then, so I didnt get the pleasure of experiencing the music when it was brand new. But it's fresh to me now. Thats all that matters.

Petra satanic...? At a time when I was listening to Motley Crue shouting at the devil, and Van Halen running with the devil, and AC/CD ringing hells bells... Petra was singing "Red is the color of the blood that flooded down the face of someone who loved us so..." and "... those who wait upon the Lord they shall renew... they shall renew their strength... more power to ya..."

There truly was a difference between the holy and the profane. I think that line has been seriously blurred lately in "Christian" music... but back in the day there was an obvious difference.

Krispy

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BenBrockway Feb 8, 2007

Petra satanic...? At a time when I was listening to Motley Crue shouting at the devil, and Van Halen running with the devil, and AC/CD ringing hells bells... Petra was singing "Red is the color of the blood that flooded down the face of someone who loved us so..." and "... those who wait upon the Lord they shall renew... they shall renew their strength... more power to ya..."
There truly was a difference between the holy and the profane. I think that line has been seriously blurred lately in "Christian" music... but back in the day there was an obvious difference.
Krispy

Agreed Krispy, Agreed!

sermonindex Feb 8, 2007

Anyone ever listen to White Cross? There's another band that pretty much sang straight up scripture. Their sound was a bit heavier than Petra, and not as flashy as Stryper.

Actually, since White Cross was around when I was into the metal scene, I can safely say that a couple years ago when I first heard WC they reminded me of Ratt and Skid Row... the main difference? LYRICS. Wow...

Personally, I know people knock Christian Rock, but a lot of those bands from that era were lyrically much more bolder in their declaration of Jesus Christ than any other form of Christian music before or since... short of the hymnal.

Krispy