What is it with Petra? You'd think that after 19 albums and two decades of touring, these guys would be ready to take a rest. As America's premiere Christian rock band and pioneers of a musical genre, Petra deserves one. But you won't catch Petra napping. They're sounding the alarm with their 20th album, Wake-Up Call, the most amazing record yet from a band that just keeps going and going and going . . .

Wake-Up Call is an eye-opener that delivers a strong lyrical message of conviction in familiar Petra style - it rocks - but with a no-holds-barred approach designed to shake the listener from spiritual slumber. Even in the choice of Brown Bannister as producer, Petra wasn't content to rest on their impressive laurels. "We wanted to try something different, and Brown has really proved himself as a rock producer," says Bob Hartman. "This album is probably the most indicative of who Petra really is. With Brown we were able to record in Nashville, which was great not only because we could be at home with our families, but also because we were able to be very hands-on in the arrangements and production. We didn't want a radical change stylistically, but Brown gave us the creative freedom to try some different things."

Things like recording on 48 tracks for the first time, which left plenty of room for the experimentation - a handy thing when you have a group of musicians as talented as the guys in Petra. The fans recognize this talent extravaganza: they've awarded Petra an unprecedented 20-plus CCM Magazine Reader's Poll Awards, in every category of eligibility.

The accolades are almost too many to count. Petra is Christian music's top-selling band (over six million units); they were the first group to hit the number one spot on five CCM Update radio and retail charts simultaneously, and they're the first Christian group to be enshrined in the world famous Hard Rock Cafe. No way. Wake-Up Call finds them on the job and ready to go. "We've waited two years since our last studio record," says Bob. "This past year, we've taken some time to get focused. It's been a breath of fresh air, and now we're ready to go again. We have something new and we're ready to hit it."

They'll be hitting the road this fall and spring with the Wake-Up Call Tour. Along with Petra classics from their past 19 albums, fans will hear hot-rockin' new tunes from Wake-Up Call, including the #1 single "Just Reach Out," written by John Schlitt and Rich Gootee. "Underneath The Blood" was a dual effort between Bob Hartman and Ronny Cates, while "Praying Man" bears the stamp of new Petra keysman Jim Cooper. The album title comes from the song "Sleeping Giant," written by Bob and Ronny. Bob considers it the theme of the album. "It's about waking up to who we are in Christ. A lot of the songs on the album reflect that theme, of 'getting off the couch' and getting serious about faith. I think that kind of message goes well with the sound of the music that we play. It's forceful, both the message and the music."

And that's what Petra fans have come to expect from the guys. A forceful yet encouraging message, underscored by music that energizes and declares the truth without whispering. But the guys have never been content to let the message rest. They pioneered the concept of developing ministry tools to enhance the message, making it easier for kids and youth leaders alike to build the truth in young lives, using Petra's innovative Bible studies, video events, a praise album, devotional books and retreat materials. In addition, Petra's highly-successful association with Josh McDowell has had a great impact in promoting sexual abstinence among teenagers.

Can we expect more of the same from Wake-Up Call? "We're working on those things right now," says Bob. "We want to write our songs to make kids think, to make them see themselves as a Christian as part of something very big, the body of Christ. Kids have so many influences on their lives now, and probably the hardest thing for a young person is to gain a Christian perspective on the world. We want to help them do that."

With hard-hitting, intelligent lyrics, fresh vocal arrangements and singable melodies, all wrapped in straight-ahead rock peppered with a dash of blues and a patina of pop, Wake-Up Call is certain to wake up even the sleepiest Christian to the realities of life.

by Bernie Sheahan