STYLE: Rock RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 119073-DVD775 LABEL: Classic Petra 083061062095 FORMAT: DVD Music video ITEMS: 2 RELEASE DATE: 2011-10-17 RRP: £12.99
Reviewed by Josh Dipple
With everyone from Take That to Rage Against The Machine undertaking reunion tours, clearly musical nostalgia puts bottoms on seats. So now the most popular Christian band of the '80s - fronted by powerhouse vocalist Greg X Volz - are celebrated on this live DVD. If you saw the Classic Petra version of the group in concert you will know that these veterans can still rock. The opener "Bema Seat" shows off the band's enviable skills and though the long hair and tight trousers may appear a bit of an anachronism to younger rockers and there are undoubtedly a few Spinal Tap moments, there is no denying the ability with crunching guitar riffs. Guitarist and songwriter-in-chief Bob Hartman gives a stellar performance though it has to be said that he looks like he arrived at the gig straight from putting in a shift at the local bowling alley. While watching Classic Petra power through hits like "Godpleaser" and "Graverobber", the viewer is struck by the obvious passion of these musicians to communicate evangelistic truth.
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Product Description
Recorded before a capacity crowd at TBN Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, four-time Grammy-winning and Gospel Music Hall Of Fame inductees, Petra, rocked the audience with their legendary sound.
Geg X Voltz (vocals), Bob Hardman (guitar), Mark Kelly (bass), Louie Weaver (drums) and John Lawry (keyboard) found themselves on stage together for the first time in 25 years, but that was hard to tell as the songs from their ‘classic’ era were as powerful as they’ve ever been.
These pioneers of Christian rock have a desire, as they have always had, that the audience will return to that fervent faith of their youth and re-establish the firm foundation that marked contemporary Christian music in those early years.
Back To The Rock Live proves the point with a greatest hits setlist and all the live energy the band is known for.