The Petra Zone

Hi folks,
I'm a long-time Petra fan...I have all their albums aside from the gazillion Star Song re-issues.

That being said, I'd like to see a list of other bands that hardcore Petra fans would recommend.

I'll throw in the first recommendation...a rather new band that plays awesome melodic power metal with strongly Christian lyrics:

Theocracy

http://www.myspace.com/theocracyband

So, let's hear other recommendations.

---Prem

The ones I listen to the most are as follows

Fireflight
Day of Fire
December Radio
Skillet
Jonah33

As far as know Jonah33 is no longer together; if anyone has any updated info please pass it along

Coheed and Cambria
Paramore
Five Iron Frenzy
Brave Saint Saturn
Silversun Pickups
Project 86
Underoath

That covers a pretty wide range.

Kutlass - To me they have a very Petra-esque flavor to them. Of course, I've been a Petra fan since "Beat The System" was a new release, and I will always judge every band by the standard of Petra.

White Heart
DeGarmo & Key
Mastedon
Rez Band
Guardian
Brighton
Idle Cure
Glass Harp

Poor Old Lu

Absolutely. I would recommend Poor Old Lu to fans of anyone, especially Petra.

So, Prem, how long have you been playing in Theocracy?

Heh...don't I wish I played with them...my axe skills are definitely not up to par...

I am not associated with Theocracy in any way...just a fan who discovered them recently through Wikipedia while trying to expand my collection of Christian metal/hard rock music.

It's been an interesting journey, aided by my Zune pass...I just discovered Guardian for the first time (yeah...flog me with a wet noodle for missing these guys during their heyday), along with quite a few more modern power metal bands: Narnia, Rob Rock, Impelliterri, etc.

Question to separateunion: aren't Coheed & Cambria a secular band? I was kinda hoping that we could compile a list of bands that embodied some of those things that made Petra what it was - I would argue that one thing at the core of what made Petra a great band was the decidedly Biblical lyrics with no attempt to veil their Christian values or beliefs...they never tried to do the 'crossover' thing and hide their Christianity in exchange for wider secular appeal.

---Prem

prem wrote:Question to separateunion: aren't Coheed & Cambria a secular band? I was kinda hoping that we could compile a list of bands that embodied some of those things that made Petra what it was - I would argue that one thing at the core of what made Petra a great band was the decidedly Biblical lyrics with no attempt to veil their Christian values or beliefs...they never tried to do the 'crossover' thing and hide their Christianity in exchange for wider secular appeal.

Your opening question was just asking for bands Petra fans would recommend. My apologies for misunderstanding.

I would still recommend Coheed and Cambria to everyone.

I'm not very familiar with C&C, but they have some messianic themes in their music, yes?

Jonathan wrote:I'm not very familiar with C&C, but they have some messianic themes in their music, yes?

In a way. Their entire catalog is a sci-fi/fantasy epic and the main character is a sort of messiah within the story.

Intriguing...

Most of the bands most similar to Petra are defunct or barely together (or reuniting, haha). Those clearly in the same field:

Guardian
Whiteheart
Whitecross
Bride
Idle Cure
The Resurrection/REZ Band
Shout/Tamplin

Bands out today that I enjoy who are in the same basic mold (catchy hooks, clean vocals):

Disciple
Fireflight
Red
The Letter Black

Heavier bands that I also enjoy but don't really bear much musical connection to Petra other than the basic rock formula:

Demon Hunter
Project 86

I have really gotten into MercyMe, their not as heavy as Petra but their good.