The Petra Zone

Now to what's probably Petra's most popular album...



Didja know... Beyond Belief is the band's most successful album, earning Petra their first Grammy as well as peaking at #1 on Christian charts, and being certified Gold by RIAA.

While the single Beyond Belief was their biggest single, the album could have very well not been the biggest selling album because they did not pay to have the previous album sales tracked and nobody knows how many albums have been sold, nor did anyone at the label pay for Petra to be nominated for a Grammy.

I didn't even hesitate on this one. It may sound cliche, but "Creed" is my all-time favorite song. Plus Beyond Belief is the album that really got me into the band back in the day.

For the most time, I would say this is probably my #1 album, but t o be honest, nowadays I don't revisit this one as much as I do others (maybe because I wore it down years ago ). Although in recent years, I've leaned more towards the Volz' albums, I put this one on my car during the last few days and there's no way one can't enjoy it.

Maybe some of the songs in the second half of the album don't move me as much as they did, but there really isn't a bad or weak song in this album. Moreover, I would probably put 5 of the album songs on my list of favorites (I Am on the Rock, Creed, Beyond Belief, Love, and Prayer).

This is a hard one with most everyone else having the same issue. I voted for Beyond Belief, but also have so many favorites like Creed, I Am On The Rock, Underground, Seen & Not Heard, & Last Daze could on any given day be #1. Petra already had the fan base before this album, but what this album did was give them the respect from the nonsayers like parents and the secular world. I will say I am not a fan of the live version of the song though; I think the album version is by far and away better.

Seen & Not Heard

This was a tough one, but I went with Beyond Belief, as I think it is the best song on the album. I agree that the studio version is far better than what they've done with it live. The Creed album version is also really good, and I Am On the Rock has always been a favorite. However, beyond those three, I'd much rather listen to Unseen Power. For whatever reason, that album does it for me much more than this one.

Creed is my favorite. I agree with prefering to hear Creed and BB on the CD vs. live. IAOTR was the most memorable live song for me. I remember them turning on the house lights for "I am on the Rock" during the song. Very cool for me at my first concert (Unseen Power tour).

I also love beyond belief. I have a slight preference to the original but love both versions and I can see why they do the newer live version with the direction music took.

Where is the big Seen and Not Heard ripped off KISS debate?

GS. wrote:I also love beyond belief. I have a slight preference to the original but love both versions and I can see why they do the newer live version with the direction music took.

I'm curious. What changes did they do to "Beyond Belief" live? The only live version I've heard is the one that's on Farewell. I did see Petra live in 2001 or 2002 (Revival tour) but I really don't remember how they played that one.

brent wrote:Where is the big Seen and Not Heard ripped off KISS debate?

You got it! First thought in my head when I heard the riff: "Whoah, Heaven's on Fire."

Thief wrote:I'm curious. What changes did they do to "Beyond Belief" live? The only live version I've heard is the one that's on Farewell. I did see Petra live in 2001 or 2002 (Revival tour) but I really don't remember how they played that one.

Not sure when they changed it to the new live version, but they kept the melody but definitely upped the tempo. I went to the Double Take tour and I think they took that off the set list, so I am thinking pre-1996? I was lucky and saw the BB tour in the day, and that live version was almost a perfect rendition from the album. The early version started off quieter and built up as opposed to the current version which starts with a bang.

I actually like both, with maybe a nod to the version from BB. I feel that song still has a timeless quality to it, even today.

You can watch the old style here, they did at Night of Joy 2002 at Disney World, about 30 minutes into this video. This is my favorite version:

It seems that many are in agreement that this is their pinnacle release and certainly the most popular in the public eye too. This one put them on the map.

I am not too fond of the slower songs on here but love the rockers. This was not the heaviest (I reserve this for On Fire and J&H), but it was great. Lots of guitar, lots of keys and soaring vocals. It had the makings of a great album and it delivered.

My only real complaint is about the recording process on this one. Is it just me or does the second side (Underground through the rest of the album) seem a little dull sounding than the first songs? They are brighter and the second part sounds like they turned the treble down a bit. It was that way on my cassette version, and my CD version.

Another great album from our favorite band

Grace,
Harry