Customer Reviews

Beyond Belief

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For the past month and a half, I've listened to very little but Petra (okay, so I'm going through an emotional time in my life) -- from More Power to Ya (1982) to Wake Up Call (1993). I used to think Greg X. Volz (their vocalist from the early days until his departure after 1986's live album Captured in Time and Space) had the best voice of any in rock music. His range was stunning. In fact, he could hit notes so high I used to compare him to Mickey Mouse.

However, current vocalist John Schlitt easily tops Volz. And Schlitt was never more expressive and powerful as on Beyond Belief.

Schlitt's range is impressive. In fact, I once read that Queen vocalist Freddie Mercury was so highly praised because he could sing everything from powerful rockers to smarmy ballads without skipping a beat.

The same could be said about John Schlitt. His voice can growl with the best of 'em, yet he can sing so purely and about such emotional topics that you'd swear he had a direct pipeline to God. By way of comparison, I'd say Schlitt's voice rivals that of Journey's Steve Perry. Schlitt is that good. (And equally as captivating a front man.)

Now-departed guitarist/songwriter Bob Hartman might have been the lyrical brains behind Petra, but John Schlitt was -- and still is -- its heart and soul.

It's hard to describe why I like the songs on Beyond Belief, especially to someone who's not a Christian. The music is catchy, arena-rock in presentation, guitar-driven, melodic and emotional all on its own. It's truly upbeat and driving music, very well produced and played. But the lyrics take on a whole new meaning when you understand the spiritual insights behind them. To the Christian, these songs are spiritual kicks in the [rear] to dig deeper into the Christian life.

The most beautiful song on the CD is "Love," a ballad based on 1 Corinthians 13 that's so perfect from start to finish I can't believe mere humans penned it. John Schlitt's voice is angelic. And the song never ceases to bring tears to my eyes. If you only hear one Christian song in your entire life, please make it this one.

Petra is still around, but with only two members from their glory days, drummer Louie Weaver and vocalist John Schlitt. It's a different band with a different sound.

I strongly urge you to check out Beyond Belief. It's one of the most amazing albums I've ever heard...and one I think you'll enjoy, too. The musicianship is stellar, and the lyrics are heartfelt and uplifting. (Incidentally, Beyond Belief won a Grammy for "Rock Gospel Album of the Year"...and went on to sell a gazillion copies worldwide. This album is truly special!)

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND SUCH TAPES HERE IN OUR COUNTRY.I HAVE GOT IT IN THE WAY OF MIRACLE-MY PASTOR BROUGHT IT FROM THE USA.IN MY OPINION I HAVE NEVER LISTENED TO MORE BEAUTIFUL AND SPIRITUAL TAPE. THE MOST WONDERFUL SONGS I HAVE ENJOYED WERE "LOVE","BEYOND BELIEVE","CREED".IF IT IS IMPOSSIBLE I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF "PETRA"IS GOING TO PRODUCE ANY TAPES THIS NEW MILLENIUM ?I WISH TO "PETRA" TO CONTINUE IT'S WORK, BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT SO MANY GOOD CHRISTIAN GROUPS.

It seems amazing that it has been almost a decade since the release "Beyond Belief", by far the defining album of Petra's two decade career. The album is really their "Joshua Tree" or "Purple Rain", it presents the listener with a complete album from beginning to end from a veteran band hitting their stride. "Creed", the band's statement of faith, along with the ear candy "Beyond Belief", the moving "Prayer" and the rocking "Armed and Dangerous", makes this one of the most defining albums in Christian Rock history. After listening to this you will definitely agree with Hard Rock Cafe's decision to display Bob Hartman guitar at their diners. If you've ever wanted to know why Petra developed the following they did, buy this album. Passionate lyrics, heavy bass lines, steady drums and catchy guitar lines; what more could a rock fan ask for?

"Beyond Belief" is the first and only Petra album that I've purchased in which I sat down and listened to the entire album and loved it immediately. With other Petra albums, it always takes me a few weeks, months, and, in the case of "No Doubt," years before I really come to love them for what they are.

This particular album is one of the best arena rock records around, secular or Christian. Songs like "Armed and Dangerous" and "Underground" beg to be heard in a large football stadium where the fans can sing along with lead vocalist, the underrated John Schlitt. Also, "Love" is an amazing ballad that ranks right up there with Journey's "Faithfully" (although the Love Petra is talking about is completely different than that which Journey speaks of).

"Seen And Not Heard" sounds very, very similar to Kiss' "Heaven's On Fire" as far as the chorus goes, but it's also one of my personal favorites from this album. Perhaps it's because this particular song gives Christians a kick in the pants to quit talking the talk and start walking the walk. "I Am On The Rock" and "Last Daze" are also excellent tunes.

Overall, I'd highly recommend that new fans of Petra purchase this album and one or two of the compilation CD's out there to get a decent overview of this band at their best. Their lineup and sound have changed considerably throughout the years and they have officially retired as a group, but Petra's music will be around for a long time to come.

If you have never heard Petra before, you're in for a surprise. Fans of Queen, Journey, Foreigner, Kansas, and Styx will very likely enjoy this group. They weren't around for so long because of luck, they're just that good.

No, Petra is not Progressive rock, and bears no resemblance to the great bands like YES, and Genesis, but Beyond Belief still seems to have lyrics that are equal in writing to that of YES, which is quite a statement. Not so much in the all out rockers, like "I Am on the Rock", but in the ballad, "Prayer", and the soft to hard transition song, "Creed" do Bob Hartman's thoughtful, and highly emotional lyrics seep into one's soul. Hartman is probably one of the most tallented people in the business today, contributing to Petra with outstanding guitar and some of the best writing ever. "Prayer" on Beyond Belief and "Grave Robber" off of Not of this world are two of the most beatifully written songs I've ever heard. In my oppinion, it is safe to say that Bob Hartman is the Jimmy Page of christian music.

OK,lets see...

Armed and Dangerous- Great riffing, great solo.

I am on the Rock- One of Bob's best riffs up there with Judas' Kiss.

Creed- Excellent lyrics, and a tight transition from a slow and flowing feel to a shredding hard rock feel.

Beyond Beleif- Another one with great lyrics. An interesting power chord progression. Never cared for the chorus melody on this one but have grown to appreciate its way of getting increasingly more invoved instrumentally as the song progresses. love the guitar solo at the end.

Love- Decent ballad. Has some power to it.

Underground-Its topic is something rarely covered in CCM. Interesting, with yet another fantastic guitar solo.

Seen and not heard- Ok, the riff is quite simple but the drums add something to it. Something that KISS didn't add. Lyrics are very true. Maybe the vocals wouldn't have to be sung with the riff.

Last Daze-This is very 80's-ish but it has some cool bass to it, complete with lots and lots and lots of keyboards, and a little guitar solo at the end.

What's in a name-Very worshipful words that are sung. Has a great melodic bridge to it.

Prayer-This is a Hey Jude, and Stairway to Heaven for CCM. Although no guitar, it is an extremely powerful song, with lyrics that have gotten me closer to God. I can't and will never be able to say enough about this song. Wish I could write as well as you Hartman! May God bless you for being humble and being one for using the right motives to be involved in CCM. Schlitt, God has used you in a powerful way. Keep doing what you're doing.

Petra opened the 1990's with Beyond Belief, their thirteenth album overall, and their fifth with John Schltt on lead vocals. Returning at the production helm were the brothers Elefante, John and Dino. The result was one of the band's greatest--if not their overall best--releases ever. While Beyond Belief is an an arena rock album, the sound was much more raw and less polished than their last few releases. Lyrically, Beyond Belief also showcases some of the band's finest songwriting. Some of my favorite songs here include "I Am on the Rock," "Creed" (the band's statement of faith--a great song for showing the world what we really do believe), "Underground," and the ballads "Love" (based on I Corinthians 13) and "Prayer." Some other noteworthy tracks include "Armed and Dangerous," "Seen and Not Heard" (with that infamous guitar lick that resembles "Heaven's on Fire") and the title track. Beyond Belief is a great rock album, not just a great Christian album, and it is at the very least, the best album of the John Schlitt era, if not their best overall.

I've had 2 copies of this on Cassette years ago wore them both out. The song's "The Creed" & "Beyond Belief" on the original recordings are hard rock not guitar versions. I really would love to order this CD again. BUT THIS IS NOT THE ORIGINAL RECORDING!!!!!!!!!!

This is one of the only rock albums that I have ever heard that just hearing the name of the album "Beyond Belief", gives me goosebumps! This is the quintessential Christian rock album of all time. I love Whitecross, Stryper, White Heart, Mastedon, Guardian, etc., but nothing hits home like this album did for me, not to impune the great works by those other groups.

John Schlitt's voice peaks on this album, with every note of every song sounding purely amazing. The man has incredible chops, with notes that soar up into the rafters, but never more often than they should.

Bob Hartman's riffing smokes on this album. One of my favorite guitar solos of all time, from any band, is Hartman's beautifully crafted solo on "I am on the Rock". Whoa!!!

Ronnie Cates and Louis Weaver crank away on the rhythm and keep your heart pumping like never before. The only album where these two play harder on is "Unseen Power", but what they did in the context of this album is absolute perfection.

John Lawry has an amazing melodic sense on the keys, and a phenominal range and harmonic sense on his backing vocal input.

The lyrics are outstanding and the musicianship comes together brilliantly in what I think is Petra's top album of all time, and beyond that, one of the top rock albums of all time, though it has not recived much recognition outside of Christian music circles. This album needs to be heard by the secular market, if not for it's great uplifting and positive lyrics (which is really what matters the most), then at least for it's unsurpassed musicianship and mixing.

5+ stars!!!!

Of all the 80's (or 80's style) rock albums that I own, this has to be one of the best. It contains a great mix of hard rock songs, rock anthems, and ballads. It also spreads the message of God very well in the lyrics. "Creed, Beyond Belief, Armed and Dangerous, Underground, etc." are all awesome rock songs. "Love" and "Prayer" are the two beautiful ballads, with "Prayer" being one of the best "power ballads" I have ever heard, and no guitars(well, maybe a bass guitar) or drums are used in it. This album is awesome, and for anyone into 80's rock, this album is a must, whether you are a believer or not.

Bummer... this collection has the wrong version of Creed and Beyond Belief. I should have listed to the demo songs before purchasing this album...