This Means War

by Petra

Overview

This Means War! ushered in a new era for one of the most durable franchises in Christian rock. The golden-toned Greg X. Volz had led the band for several years, but he departed after 1985's Beat the System to pursue a solo career. The vacancy was filled two years later by John Schlitt, and the difference was significant. Whereas Volz always sounded more comfortable with adult contemporary pop, Schlitt possessed a bona fide hard rock voice, a powerful shrieking tenor in the vein of Aerosmith's Steven Tyler or Quiet Riot's Kevin DuBrow. Schlitt gave Petra a welcome jolt of electricity just as the band was beginning to fade into the background of the bustling contemporary Christian music industry. The recurring military motif of This Means War!, an apparent attempt at a rock & roll update of "Onward Christian Soldiers," added to the impression that the band had rediscovered their old slogan "Petra Means Rock." But a closer listen reveals that this impression was somewhat illusory. Schlitt's vocals are more aggressive than Volz's, but the songwriting and production on This Means War! are actually just as pop-based as on Beat the System. There are plenty of electric guitars, but they generally serve only as a simple amplification of the keyboard parts that continue to drive the music. Despite the fact that the band's lead guitarist, Bob Hartman does all the songwriting, there are virtually no electric guitar jams and the pace of Louie Weaver's drumming is reserved and cautious. This Means War! may have been intended as proof that the band could still rock out, but the only thing it really proves is that it is possible to play rock music without ever letting a hair fall out of place. ~ Evan Cater

Product Details

Release Date:	08/12/2022
Label:	Amplified Media Services
UPC:	0763416069688

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Petra   Primary Artist
Bob Hartman   Primary Artist,Guitar
Louie Weaver   Primary Artist,Drums
John Lowry   Primary Artist,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Mark Kelly   Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
John Schlitt   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
John Elefante   Vocals (Background)
Los Alamitos High School Marching Drummers   Drums
Tom Hrbacek   Drums

Technical Credits

Bob Halligan   Composer
Bob Hartman   Arranger,Composer,Programming,Group Member
Joan Jett   Composer
Mark Kelly   Group Member
John Schlitt   Group Member
John Lawry   Composer
Dino Elefante   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Kenny Laguna   Composer
John Elefante   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming
Jonathan David Brown   Producer
Aretha Franklin   Composer
Louie Weaver   Composer,Programming,Group Member
John Lowry   Composer,Programming,Group Member
Mike Mireau   Engineer
Chris Hopkins   Illustrations
Dave Rogers   Design,Art Direction
Tim Heitz   Programming
Dan Kingen   Composer
Vinnie Alibrandi   Digital Remastering
Steve Hall   Mastering
Sloane Sharpe   A&R
Sarah Sung   Package Redesign
Danny Kingen   Composer