PETRA - Washes Whiter Than, Never Say Die, Not Of This World
Pre-Orders Start Oct. 1, Friday 8am
3 PETRA ALBUMS FINALLY GET THE CREDIT THAT THEY DESERVE WITH PROPER REMASTERS
The historical relevance of Petra is undeniable. So why then are these three Petra albums such a a big deal?
I'll tell you why.
Well... for starters, they are the Greg X. Volz era which many people love. But maybe just as important, especially for collectors, both Washes Whiter Than and Never Say Die have never been on standalone CDs. They were both on a 1988 double album, but it left off 2 songs. So it's literally the first time you can grab these on CD some 40 years later, at least official releases. (There might be some bootlegs from Russia and Mexico floating around). That's a crazy reality and kind of hard to wrap your head around, 40 years later.
Not of This World might be Petra in it's absolute prime. That song Grave Robber, as i discuss more below, is one of the best "songs of hope" a Christian Rock band has ever written. Those lyrics (read them below) are full of hope but it's also a "kick Satan in the teeth" rock song.
Given the opportunity to remaster these and give them the "GIRDER TREATMENT" that so many of you affectionately call it, has been something we have really been looking forward to. It's been a long time in the making, but it's finally here.
Washes Whiter Than (1979), Never Say Die (1981) and Not of This World (1983) have been completely remastered from original sources. All 3 are in jewel cases with readable lyrics in a 8 page booklet and contains LTD collectors cards in each. Christian Rock's #1 band is louder, crisper with more definition, punch and attitude. They finally get the credit they deserve with proper elite re-mastered reissues.
- Washes Whiter Than, First Time Complete Album Is On CD!!!
- Remastered from Original Sources
- 8 Page Booklet, Jewel Case CD
- Includes LTD Trading Card
- 2021 Girder Records
- Legends of Rock™ Edition
Washes Whiter Than
- First Time Complete Album Is On CD!!!
- Remastered from Original Sources
- 8 Page Booklet, Jewel Case CD
- Includes LTD Trading Card
- 2021 Girder Records, GR1112
- Originally Release in 1979
- Legends of Rock™ Edition
Originally released in 1979, Washes Whiter Than has never been on CD with all 10 songs, until now. I know that is hard to believe but it was only released as a double album along side of Never Say Die in 1988, leaving off 2 songs (#7 Couldn't Find Love Without You and #9 Magic Words). Finally 42 years later we get to celebrate this complete album on CD for the first time ever. Now, completely remastered from original sources and containing all 10 songs in the order it was originally released on cassette and vinyl. Complete with LTD trading card, with 8 page booklet containing lyrics, photos and original credits in a jewel case. Incidentally that original 1988 double album had all 10 songs listed on the disc face but not on the back of the CD (tray card) and were not actually on the CD. They tray card also incorrectly had Never Say Die listed first and Washes Whiter Than second.
Washes Whiter Than was Petra's 3rd album and introduced us to Greg X. Volz. It also introduced us to Rob Frazier and if you've been following our Legends of Rock series you'll know that we recently released remastered CDs of both of Rob's first two solo albums. Both Rob and Greg handled lead vocals for the album and even both sang on both I'm Thankful as well as Yahweh Love. The band was intentional about creating a soft radio friendly album as their two previous albums were too hard/heavy for Christian radio in the 70's which was mellow. Thankfully songs like Morning Star and Magic Words still rock and musically it is a masterpiece and hold it's rightful place among other albums. The album art was pretty cool too, originally created to look like a soapbox thanks to George Werth. Although there was no song called Washes Whiter Than we clearly new after listening to it, that Jesus washes our sins away.
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Bob Hartman
Lead Vocals - Greg X. Volz (tracks: 1, 4, 6, 8)
Lead Vocals - Rob Frazier (tracks: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
Bass – Chip Meyers
Drums, Percussion – Randy Nichols
Guitar – Gerald "Jit" Byron, Joel Balin
Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals – Robert Frazier*
Keyboards – George Atwell
TRACKS
- I’m Thankful (2:41)
- Why Should The Father Bother? (3:46)
- Morning Star (4:47)
- Magic Mirror (3:27)
- Mary’s Song (4:00)
- Yahweh Love (5:38)
- (Couldn’t Find Love) Without You (4:19)
- Taste And See (3:23)
- Magic Words (3:31)
- Deep Love (3:57
Never Say Die
- First Time Album Is On CD by Itself
- Remastered from Original Sources
- 8 Page Booklet, Jewel Case CD
- Includes LTD Trading Card
- 2021 Girder Records, GR1116
- Originally Release in 1981
- Legends of Rock™ Edition
Description
Originally releases in 1981. Something happened between 1979 and 1981. Petra's 4th album Never Say Die took a turn to very AOR/Def Leppard-ish like approach compared to the Air Supply approach of Washes Whiter Than, dropping rockers like Chameleon, Angel of Light, Without Him We Can Do Nothing, Father of Lights and Praise Ye The Lord. It became very clear that this band was headed for Christian Arena-Rock Stardom, leaving the classic mellower style behind forging a new path towards 80's epic Christian rock band status and success that few bands enjoyed. You'll understand after listening to it how Petra went from hand to mouth to become Christian Music's first stadium rock band and indeed the genre's first supergroup putting on a show like STYX or Kansas traveling with a stage set-up that required 3 semi trucks. This album is the all out assault on the forces of darkness. Yes, it was militant like, and yes we all officially enlisted in God army after hearing it. From the graphics to the lyrics, to the stage set-up, Petra officially waged war on the enemy but also on the complacency of a Christian band that just wanted to rock, and rock they did. Only getting better with each and every album.
The fact that this album was never on a CD alone by itself rather than on a 1988 double album with Washes Whiter Than surprises many to this day. Thankfully it's now been remastered (and reloaded). Never Say Die is finally on a stand-alone CD complete with trading card and a 8 page booklet with lyrics and photos in a jewel case. Arena rock never sounded or looked better.
TRACKS
- The Coloring Song (2:52)
- Chameleon (5:47)
- Angel Of Light (4:21)
- Killing My Old Man (3:46)
- Without Him We Can Do Nothing (3:26)
- Never Say Die (3:42)
- I Can Be Friends With You (4:12)
- For Annie (4:24)
- Father Of Lights (3:02)
- Praise Ye The Lord (3:13)
Not Of This World
- Remastered from Original Sources
- 8 Page Booklet, Jewel Case CD
- Includes LTD Trading Card
- 2021 Girder Records, GR1117
- Originally Release in 1983
- Legends of Rock™ Edition
Originally released in 1983. If there was an album that might have influenced an entire Christian rock culture, look no further than Not Of This World, the bands fifth album. By 1983 Petra was running on rocket fuel. Not of This World proved to every creature on earth (and beyond) what a great rock album should sound like and while some Christian bands were content with using Christian cliches, Petra had more of an interest in providing hope. It's no surprise looking back why Petra reached an entire generation. They proved that you could have an album that rocked but also provided a message of hope, and none more powerful than thier song Grave Robber. Just take a moment and read these lyrics...
An appointment we have with the great unknown
Like a vapor this life is just waiting to pass
Like the flowers that fade, like the withering grass
But there's One who has been there and still lives to tell
There is One who has been through both heaven and hell
And the grave will come up empty-handed the day
When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night
Where is the victory, where is the prize
When the grave robber comes
And death finally dies
TRACKS
- Visions (Doxology) 2:04
- Not Of This World 4:49
- Bema Seat 3:54
- Grave Robber 4:18
- Blinded Eyes 5:33
- Not By Sight 3:20
- Lift Him Up 3:26
- Pied Piper 4:00
- Occupy 3:28
- Godpleaser 4:35
- Visions (Reprise ) (Doxology) 2:28