Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Petra really opened up new vistas of praise possibilities with their seminal Petra Praise album, and now here's this ear-bashing album from Dino and John Elefante (produc­tion masters of metal and heavy rock). And make no mistake about it, this is definitely a tadge heavier than any previous praise album has dared to be. They've kicked off what will presumably be a series by letting their ses­sion rockers (pulled from the bands who record for Pakaderm) loose on the old hymns and (less successfully) spirituals, so if you can imagine "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God", or "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" with larynx-shredding vocals, thunderous snare and enough axe power chords to keep any headbanger happy you've got the idea. I loved it, though what they do to "The Old Rugged Cross" might give your church elders apoplexy.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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