The Petra Zone

Hands down, my perfect secular concert is Sonata Arctica. They're a melodic metal band from Finland, and they put on a GREAT show! Well...their bass player has pretty much no stage presence, although he's a really good musician. But the rest of them are great. Especially Tony, their lead singer. He ...

Yessss! I've been waiting for the longest time for this to be released as a single. It is AMAZING! You all definitely need to check it out! Tom Scholz plays guitar on it, and Oz said that Tom Scholz likes it even better then the original.

I can tell you a little bit about the bass players with the rhyming names. Lonnie lives in Fullerton, California, and is the worshpi pastor at a church there. He got married a few years ago and makes guitars for SixTwelve Guitars in Fullerton. Ronny is living in Finland and has been doing studio wor...

Those muttonchops were awesome! Although, I wouldn't wanna see them on him now. I think John's definitely the type that looks better w/out facial hair. And Bob definitely looks better with.

I haven't had a working computer in ages, so I haven't been able to comment on this before. Anyways, Ronny hasn't played with Michael J. in a really long time, that I know of. I think he only played with him a few times, and that was back in 2003, I believe. Stay tuned for news from Ronny coming in ...

Definitely DO NOT name her Esther...please. She will be teased constantly about her name, even from fellow Christians (taunts of "Queen Esther" come to mind). Why not Esther? My sister is named Esther, and in all her 24 years, she has NEVER been teased about it. People always love her name. I, on t...

Do you enjoy any progressive metal - such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Ayreon, etc.?

My brother's been playing a lot of Symphony X and Dream Theater lately. I really enjoy it, especially Symphony X. Pretty trippy stuff! I saw John Petrucci on the G3 tour a few months ago. He's amazing!

Susannah - do you dig any other European power metal bands, such as Stratovarius, Masterplan, Thunderstone, Nightwish, etc.? I am curious to know Yeah, I do like Nightwish, Masterplan, Narnia, etc. But Sonata Arctica just really stands out to me, especially because of Tony. I just get chills listen...

Got a link for them...like a website or Myspace page? Thanks in advance!

On Myspace, if you go to "music" and type in Sonata Arctica, their page will come up. They also have a website at http://www.sonataarctica.info They actually have a new album coming out tomorrow--I'm anxious to hear it!

Sonata Arctica--an AMAZING melodic metal band from Finland. If you guys like Petra, you'll most likely like them. I insist you check them out!!!

Hey, does anyone know if the event is open to the public? Or do you need to be registered for GMA week?

Man, I wanna go! I just looked at the billing for that. Bob and John, Jamie Rowe, Whitecross and Oz Fox with Bloodgood--the next best thing to 11 guys from Petra!

Silly me! I just woke up and as I was reading this, I read it as eleven Guys from Petra! Just as I was about to get all excited, I remembered what it really was.

Oh, Ange, it's only a 2 hour drive for you. Load up the family in the back of the truck and haul 'em over there! Bob and John put on a GREAT show and it's fun for the whole family! And if you go, I INSIST that you go through the line to meet John and Bob. No ifs, ands or buts!

I saw Stryper at Club 3 Degrees, too! I live in So. Cal., but I flew out there for that. It's a great place!