Year : 2026 (Girder Music Records Edition)
Style : Melodic Christian Hard Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 82 mb
Bio:
Petra is a music group regarded as a pioneer of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres. Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for "rock". Though they disbanded formally in 2006, incarnations of Petra have played reunion shows in the years since and released an album in November 2010. In 2013, the band returned from retirement with a new drummer Cristian Borneo and recorded a new song titled "Holy is Your Name", as well as going back on tour.With a style initially similar to The Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Petra's sound evolved into a more energetic, driving rock sound in the early 1980s akin to Foreigner, Styx and Journey. Throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, Petra was one of the world's most popular Christian rock bands, with each of its albums during that period selling hundreds of thousands of copies while the band sold out arenas and regularly placed songs at the top of Christian radio charts. With its lyrics, music and style, Petra influenced numerous other artists at a time when Christian rock experienced strong opposition from many conservative pastors and churches.In more than three decades, the band experienced numerous lineup changes yet released 20 studio albums, as well as three Spanish-language and two live albums, selling nearly 10 million copies while being nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning four, and winning 10 Dove Awards. Its biggest hit, "The Coloring Song," reached the top position on three Christian radio charts simultaneously, and at its peak, the band's tours rivaled Amy Grant's in popularity among Christian audiences. Petra was the first rock band inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the first Christian band whose memorabilia was included in the Hard Rock Cafe restaurant chain.The band announced its retirement in 2005, launching a farewell tour that was recorded for release on CD and DVD. Petra's 33-year career ended with a performance in the early hours of January 1, 2006, in Murphy, North Carolina. However, the band has continued to perform sporadically since then. In November 2010, an incarnation of the band's mid-1980s lineup surfaced under the name Classic Petra. They released a CD titled Back to the Rock featuring two new songs as well as re-recordings of hits from that era. The band released a companion live CD and DVD in 2011.
Album:
PETRA is, without question, the world’s most beloved Christian rock band. Over the course of five decades they accomplished what every band sets out to do, but few achieve. With millions of records sold, Grammy Awards, Dove Awards, international recognition, and sold-out shows around the globe, Petra didn’t just create great music, they defined what we know today as Christian rock.Now after more than 20 years since their last studio album, Petra has returned 2026 with ”HOPE”, their newest album containing 10 new songs. This album was not built from ideas “left in the tank.” HOPE is a focused, intentional statement—and further proof that Petra remains one of the greatest rock bands on the planet.Crafted quietly behind the scenes while on tour, the album was driven by founding member Bob Hartman, whose unmistakable guitar work anchors every song. John Schlitt delivers vocals that are as powerful, polished, and commanding as ever, supported by the masterful keyboard work of John Lawry, the rock-solid bass of Greg Bailey, and the precision drumming of Cristian Bornero. These are seasoned professionals at the top of their craft—and it shows in every note.It’s been 23 years since Petra’s last studio record- Jekyll & Hyde– their heaviest record. From there, they did a final farewell tour and we all thought the book had closed on Petra. Over the years, they’d do a few one-shot shows or small tours, followed by their 50th anniversary tour a few years back.In 2013, Petra released a single for their 40th anniversary, then rumblings began last year of a new Petra album. Fast forward to 2026 and we have it – ”Hope”.”Hope” isn’t quite as heavy as previous records but still packs a punch. It’s also hard to compare it to other records because Petra have always changed things up from album to album, with each one having a different and unique feel, vibe, energy and identity.This Means War!, On Fire, Beyond Belief, Unseen Power, Wake Up Call all sounded completely different, and the band has always reinvented themselves with each record.Opener “Filthy Lucre” is a hard-hitting track that rocks hard and warns about the dangers of money and greed, reminding you how it can take over your life and soul, while “Kiss the Coals” is a little bit more melodic but still rocks hard. Featuring a dark bluesy guitar open from Bob Hartman, “Kiss the Coals” is definitely one of the standout tracks on the record.“Oxygen” is one of the songs that will get people talking – purely for how different it is than anything Petra have ever done. It sees them channeling their inner Santana.“Skin in the Game” is one of the heaviest on the record and goes hand-in-hand with “It Is Finished” but heavier and purely addictive, while “We Rejoice in Hope” would have fit perfectly on Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out with the fast-paced tempo we got on some of those classics.“There Will Still Be a Dawn” is a gorgeous ballad that recalling of “No Doubt” (1995) reminding you that, no matter how dark things get, it will get better and God will help you through it.“Thorns” is yet another standout track. It’s got a theatrical and cinematic vibe, an epic composition, building and has some of the strongest lyrics on the track – especially the line of “In the garden of my heart, I find the weeds have grown. Tangled up in heart’s desire, I can’t do this alone.”Closing out with “Looking Back” and lead single “Deliver Us,” Hope is almost impossible to compare to previous Petra records as there are tracks that would have fit on multiple eras of their 50-plus year career, and on a couple, the band explore new sounds and they ever has done.If you combined Jekyll & Hyde, Revival and No Doubt, you might be close but, just like the rest of their career, Petra have created an album that stands on its own and has its own life and identity. While ”Hope” isn’t heavy as you might expect, it’s still one of the best records they’ve written post-90’s era.Bob Hartman hasn’t lost a step as ”Hope” delivers on every level. Musically, one thing’s for sure after a few listens – Petra’s back and they’ve still got it.
Line-Up:
John Schlitt – vocals
Bob Hartman – guitar
Greg Bailey – bass
Cristian Bornero – drums
John Lawry – keyboards
Tracklist:
01. Filthy Lucre
02. Kiss the Coals
03. Oxygen
04. Skin in the Game
05. We Rejoice in Hope
06. Miracle Maker
07. There Will Still Be a Dawn
08. Thorns
09. Looking Back
10. Deliver Us
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
