Beyond Belief

Petra

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 6, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000282A
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #32,070 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The hard-rockin' Petra has been banging on guitars and drums for the Lord for more than 25 years. This 1990 release proved to be one of the band's most successful efforts and helped Petra win four Dove awards, including Group of the Year. Beyond Belief abounds with power chords, catchy hooks, and the kind of user-friendly rock that has made Petra a household name in the contemporary Christian music marketplace. When not shaking the walls, Petra slows it down for the title track and the wistful "Love," both handled ably by singer John Schlitt. Producers John and Dino Elefante (remember Kansas anyone?) let the boys go for the most part in rave-ups like "Armed and Dangerous" and "Underground," but listen closely to the Kansaslike keyboards on both tracks. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most awe-inspiring CD in my collection!, July 16, 2002

By	Just Bill (Grand Rapids, MI United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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!)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Petra's defining moment, July 24, 1998

By A Customer

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?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MY FAVOURITE CHRISTIAN TAPE, February 10, 2000

By	Laima andrusaityte (LITHUANIA ,VILNIUS 2029, S.STANEVICIAUS ST. 94-1 .) - See all my reviews

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.