Petra - Beat The System

Review by Abbie Grizzle

Petra's "Beat The System" album is a classic Christian rock album that is a must-have for any fan of the genre. The album, released in 1984, includes 10 tracks that are a mix of hard rock and pop rock, all with a strong message of faith and hope.

The album's opening track, "Beat The System," sets the tone for the rest of the album with its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus. "Clean" is another standout track that features a driving guitar riff and powerful vocals by lead singer Greg X. Volz.

Other notable tracks include "It Is Finished," a ballad that showcases the band's softer side, and "Voice In The Wind," a song with a driving beat and powerful lyrics.

Artist: Petra
Album: Beat The System

1969

Rating: 4.33

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Speak To The Sky	4:16
Voice In The Wind	4:30
Voice In the Wind	4:31
Beat The System	4:22
Hollow Eyes	4:3
Beat the System	4:24
Voice in the Wind	04:31
It Is Finished	3:54
Speak to the Sky	4:18
Beat The System (Edited Version)	3:43
Adonai	4:42
Clean	3:2
God Gave Rock & Roll To You	3:54
Computer Brains	4:1
God Gave Rock and Roll to You	3:54
God Gave Rock And Roll To You	3:54
Witch Hunt	4:35

Video

Petra - Beat the System

Images

Album herunterladen Petra - Beat The System

Catalog Numbers

Labels

Star Song
A&M Records
Star Song, Bompastor
Kingsway Music
Star Song, A&M Records
Kingsway Music, Star Song

Listen online

escuchar en línea
lytte på nettet
écouter en ligne
lyssna på nätet
online anhören
kuunnella verkossa
online luisteren
ascolta in linea
ouvir online

Formats

CD
Album
Vinyl
7"
45 RPM
Single
LP
Reissue
Cassette
Dolby HX Pro
33 ⅓ RPM
Stereo Vinyl
Promo

Companies

Role	Company
Copyright (c)	Star Song Records
Phonographic Copyright (p)	Star Song Records
Distributed By	Word, Inc.
Published By	Dawn Treader Music
Recorded At	Mama Jo's
Mastered At	Future Disc
Made By	Festival Records (NZ) Ltd.
Lacquer Cut At	Festival Studios
Licensed Through	A&M Records, Inc.
Manufactured By	Festival Records Pty. Ltd.
Record Company	MCK Comercial E Representação Fonográfica Ltda.
Licensed To	Bompastor Produções Art. Phonográficas Ltda.
Pressed By	EMI Jax
Licensed From	Song Star Records
Recorded By	The Bennett House

Credits

Role	Credit
Arranged By	Carl Marsh , Jonathan David Brown
Bass Guitar	Mark Kelly
Synthesizer	Mark Kelly
Backing Vocals	Mark Kelly
Drums	Louie Weaver
Percussion	Louie Weaver
Keyboards	John Lawry
Lead Guitar	Bob Hartman
Lead Vocals	Greg X. Volz
Mastered By	Steve Hall
Producer	Jonathan David Brown
Recorded By	Jonathan David Brown
Mixed By	Jonathan David Brown
Written-By	Bob Hartman (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 10), Russ Ballard (tracks: 6)
Lacquer Cut By	Warren Barnett
Computer	Rhett Lawrence
Computer [Fairlight Synthesizer Programming	Drums, Bass And Other Embellishments]
Design	David Hix
Design Concept	Robert Peak Jr.
Photography By	Robert Peak Jr.
Soloist	John Lawry (tracks: A1, A3, B5)
Band	Mark Kelly
Graphic Design	Lori Cooper
Photography	David Hix
Programmed By	Rhett Lawrence
Programmed By [Fairlight Synthesizer Programming	Drums, Bass And Other Embellishments]
Recorded By [Assisted By	Mama Jo's]
Artwork By	Robert Peak, Jr.
Guitar	Bob Hartman
Words By	Bob Hartman (tracks: 1 to 5, 8 to 10), Russ Ballard (tracks: 6)
Music By	Bob Hartman (tracks: 1 to 5, 8 to 10), Russ Ballard (tracks: 6)

Notes

First pressing of this album on CD, pressed in 1985/1986. Pressed in Japan, meant for US distribution in the Christian market.
Don't confuse with the Japanese pressing for the US mainstream market: Petra - Beat The System. The only difference is the printing on the disc.
Additional credit info as per release:
Recorded at Mama Jo's Recording Studio, North Hollywood, CA assisted by Todd Van Etten
Additional recording as The Bennett House Recording Studios, Franklin, TN assisted by J. T. Cantwell and Don Cobb
Mastering as Future Disc Systems by Steve Hall
Publishing info as per release:
All selections by Dawn Treader Music. A Division of Jubilee Communication, Inc. SESAC except "God Gave Rock and Roll To You" by Verulam Music Co., Ltd. ASCAP
Copyright/distribution info as per tray card / insert:
℗ & © 1984 STAR SONG RECORDS
12929 Gulf Freeway, Suite 201
Houston, TX 77034
Distributed by Word, Inc., Waco, TX
Copyright/distribution info as printed on the disc
DISTRIBUTED BY WORD, INCORPORATED
WACO, TEXAS
MADE IN JAPAN
Made in New Zealand by Festival Records (N.Z.) Ltd.
From the A & M Album "Beat The System" L 38383.
Petra - Beat The System
Version With Batch ID, made in 2005
Originally released in 1984.
Recorded at Mama Jo's Recording Studio, North Hollywood, CA
Additional recording at The Bennett House Recording Studios, Franklin, TN
All songs published by Dawn Treader Music/SESAC, except:
Track 6 published by Verulam Music Co., Ltd./ASCAP
℗&©1984 Star Song Records
Catalog number on spine & back cover: SPCN 7-102-05786-5
Catalog number on labels & back cover: SSR 0057
Original 1984 Release.
No barcode on back.
All songs, except "God Gave Rock And Roll To You", written by Bob Hartman.
Printed and made in England by Shorewood Packaging.
European version.
Promotion Copy
Not For Sale
The labels on side A and B are identical.
The B printed on both labels underneath (AM-02714-A-S) is not an identification of the side of the single, but it denotes that this was pressed at the Electrosound Midwest pressing plant in Shelby, IL, which is confirmed by the Emw in the runout etching.
From the A&M album "Beat The System" SP-5067.
Comes in a generic A&M Records sleeve (not pictured).
The B printed on both labels underneath (AM-02714-A/B) is not an identification of the side of the single, but it denotes that this was pressed at the Electrosound Midwest pressing plant in Shelby, IL, which is confirmed by the Emw in the runout etching.
There are two very slightly different Australian releases of this album. Below hopefully helps to differentiate them.
This version has same front cover as rest of world except written in white is PETRA top left and BEAT THE SYSTEM top right.
Back cover in the bottom right says :
Distributed in Australia by WORD RECORDS AUSTRALIA
Distributed in New Zealand by CHRISTIAN MARKETING LIMITED
Other version does not have the "Distributed in NZ" part.
On the label the Side 1 & Side 2 writing is on right side of label, other version has this on the left.
Lyric insert has pink background colour (other version has this in red)
With this version the vinyl has paper sleeve and the other one came in a plastic sleeve.
This version has 7-10-257865-A etched in Side A run out area, whereas the other version (what I could guess is a later release) has 710 2067865 A-2 in Side A run out area.
The other version has "Made In Australia" on label whereas this version does not confirm where it was made
(paper sleeve says 'Made In Great Britain') and other version has "Stereo" on label next to 33 1/3 RPM writing.
℗&©1984 Star Song Records. No artist or release name printed on the cover, but has a blue sticker having texts PETRA (white text), BEAT THE SYSTEM (red text), A&M SP-5067 (small white text) and Printed in the U.S.A (small white text).
First pressing of this album on CD, pressed in 1985/1986. Pressed in Japan, meant for US distribution in the mainstream market.
Don't confuse with the Japanese pressing for the US Christian market: Petra - Beat The System. The only difference is the printing on the disc. The insert wasn't changed, resulting in conflicting distribution credits on the insert and the disc.
All selections by Dawn Treader Music. A Division of Jubilee Communication, Inc. SESAC except "God Gave Rock and Roll To You" by Verulam Music Co., Ltd. ASCAP (on disc: Verulam Music Co., Ltd., London Administered by Mainspring Music Corp. (ASCAP))
Manufactured and Distributed by A&M Records, Inc.
Made in Japan
All songs published by Dawn Treader Music-SESAC, except:
B1 published by Verulam Music Co., Ltd.-ASCAP
There are two slightly different Australian releases of this album on Star Song label. Below hopefully helps to differentiate them.
This version has same front cover as rest of world (no writing on cover)
Distributed in Australia by WORD RECORDS AUSTRALIA (no reference to NZ)
On the label the Side 1 & Side 2 writing is on left side of label.
Lyric insert has red background colour
Comes in plastic sleeve (other version came in paper sleeve)
Other version (Petra - Beat The System) has has 7-10-257865-A etched in Side A run out area
This version has "Made In Australia" on label and "Stereo" on label next to 33 1/3 RPM writing.
Distributed by Christian Marketing in NZ
Made in UK

Barcodes

Barcode: none
Matrix / Runout (Laser etched): 191
Rights Society (tracks 1 to 5, 7 to 10): SESAC
Rights Society (track 6): ASCAP
Matrix / Runout (Side A label): MX-63447 (AM-2714)
Matrix / Runout (Side B label): MX-63448 (AM-2714)
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout etched): SMX-6344[crossed out 8]7 K 9626 - A W2A 420
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout etched): SMX-63448 351 K 9626 - B W2A
Barcode (Printed): 0 54438-8057-2 0
Barcode (Scanned): 054438805720
Other (Batch ID - artwork): AA0001000
Other (Batch ID - media): AA 1.000
Matrix / Runout: SONOPRESS 33038 6934/05
Mastering SID Code: IFPI LB49
Mould SID Code: IFPI 1153
Barcode: 54438-8057-2
Rights Society: SESAC
Rights Society: ASCAP
Matrix / Runout: SSD08057-2 MO Y51310
Matrix / Runout (Laser Etched): Y 1-1-1 EMI JAX
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L532
Mould SID Code: IFPI 166A
Matrix / Runout (Runout groove side A): 504404297A1
Matrix / Runout (Runout groove side B): 504404297B
Matrix / Runout (Printed on A & B side label): 504.404.297
Other (Código Geral De Comércio ): C.G.C. 61.186.300/0003-63
Barcode:
Rights Society (Track B1): ASCAP
Rights Society (Tracks A1-A5, B2-B5): SESAC
Matrix / Runout: Side 1: AD2 SRR 448-A1
Matrix / Runout: Side 2: AD2 SRR 448-B1
Matrix / Runout (Side A & B labels): AM-02714-A-S
Matrix / Runout (Both sides runout etching): A&M-AM-02714-A-S-ES1 Emw
Matrix / Runout (Side A label): AM-02714-A
Matrix / Runout (Side B label): AM-02714-B
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout etched): A+M-AM-02714-A ES-1 Emw
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout etched): A+M-AM-02714-B-ES-1 Emw
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout - variant 1): 7-10-257865-A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout - variant 1): 7-10-257865-B
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, hand-etched - variant 2): LZ 7-10-257865-A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, hand-etched - variant 2): 7-10-257865-B
Matrix / Runout (Laser etched dots): 710-2057 1A1 5V
Barcode: 0 7502-15067-4
Matrix / Runout (A side run-out etched, Variant 1): 7-102-05876-5-A MR △ 26679
Matrix / Runout (B side run-out etched, Variant 1): 7-102-05876-5-B MR △ 26679X Future Disc
Matrix / Runout (A side run-out etched with strike outs, Variant 2): 7-102- ̶8̶5̶5̶6̶ -05786-5 A MR △ 26679 ̶7̶-̶1̶0̶2̶-̶0̶0̶5̶7̶8̶6̶-̶5̶-̶A̶
Matrix / Runout (B side run-out etched with strike out, Variant 2): 7-102-05786-5-B MR △ 26679 ̶7̶-̶1̶0̶2̶-̶0̶0̶5̶7̶8̶6̶-̶5̶-̶B̶ FUTURE DISC
Matrix / Runout (A side run-out etched with strike outs, Variant 3): 7-102- ̶05̶5̶6̶ -05786-5 MR △ 26679 ̶7̶-̶1̶0̶2̶-̶0̶0̶5̶7̶8̶6̶-̶5̶-̶A̶
Matrix / Runout (B side run-out etched with strike out, Variant 3): 7-102-05786-5-B MR △ 26679X ̶7̶-̶1̶0̶2̶-̶0̶5̶7̶8̶6̶ ̶7̶-̶1̶0̶2̶-̶0̶0̶5̶7̶8̶6̶-̶5̶-̶B̶ FUTURE DISC
Matrix / Runout (A side run-out etched): 7-102-05876-5-A MR △ 26679
Matrix / Runout (B side run-out etched): 7-102-05876-5-B MR △ 26679X Future Disc
Matrix / Runout (Side A): 710 2057865 A-2
Matrix / Runout (Side B): 710 2057865 B
Rights Society: BIEM/STEMRA/MCPS

Summary by Abbie Grizzle

"Beat The System" is a timeless album that is still relevant today. It's a testament to Petra's talent and dedication to spreading the message of Christianity through rock music.

Comments

terapiaycambio

I recall as a teen how much these songs helped me find Strength to overcome what to teenage me was so painful.

I found myself remembering that and here I am

cetakcd

Thank you for your hard work on all these Petra songs. Generally I am a song person and not favoring any music groups, except for Petra. I am a totally grateful Petra fan, especially the 80s songs. I've been a Christian for 40+ years and thought I would thank you before I go home to Heaven. I can't take tomorrow for granted. God bless you Unknown Petra Fan.

henryjohnwhite

Awesome! I went Petra concerts in the 80s. Thank you for bringing back good memories and writing the lyrics in the two languages I can read!

loveyourmarriage

Satan's party has to be canceled in order to create the powerful master plan to eliminate him from this planet in order to rise up and create a newly kingdom, and beat the system through time travel, to save everyone, instead of loosing everything, by beating the system, you will soon get your lions share of wealth and power in your advanced kingdom created back in time and have everyone in heaven and the fallen angels in hell.You will become more than a conquer my friend if you do.

uallenvyme

Classic and needed now more than ever

cynthiacornelia15

When I first heard any of the songs on this album, it was Adonai. I instantly fell in love with it. A few months later, I stumbled upon the CD copy my Mom made my Grandparents (back when 56kbps internet was normal), and put into my laptop,Beat The System is a great introduction to the sound of the rest of the album, setting the stage for what was going to come next. Computer Brains was an interesting song to follow, almost relying on Fairlight and Synth sounds. Clean is a great feel good song, with bright blips and guitar licks. It personally one of my favorite songsIt Is Finished is another interesting tune. It talks about the death of Jesus Christ like no other song I've heard could, very powerful. Voice In The Wind isn't a song I can remember good when telling someone the track listing for the album. It doesn't grab my attention like the first four do.God Gave Rock And Roll To You is the best song on the album in my point of view. The chorus is very "in your face", the verses are jumpy, and the music brings it all together. Witch Hunt is a great song that is also funny at the same time. It reminds me of the Salem Witch Trials, but in a good way. Also, the voices towards the end of the song are good.Hollow Eyes is the basically the dramatic climax of the album. It's a very serious song. The verses talk about people around the world suffering for many reasons and the chorus makes you think about how you react when you see someone hurting on the streets. Speak To The Sky is almost like Voice In The Wind in the way that it doesn't grab my attention. But it is a good reminder to pray.Adonai is the ending track for the album and it is a great conclusion. The guitars are most shown in this song, with the cool solo Bob Hartman wrote. The main keyboard progression keeps the song going and before you know, the song is over.Overall, if you are looking for a great album to add to your collection, I recommend picking up this one. You won't be sorry. :-)

voidmain2016

This stuff is ok but prefer their John Schlitt stuff by a country mile. Still good to have had some Christian rock music in the early 80's though.

abhijeetpuddil

As our country goes corrupt, we must never give up on our homes, God wants us to fight for what's right for not only ourselves, for our families

ajaykatta7

Funny how the glitches now are on the unknown

koolkid3

With the liars from the CDC and WHO this song has more meaning to me now! Don't take the shot it will set you up for a kill!

rennydund

It is Finished is my favorite song! Amazing...

georgelevi2020

Que saudades desse tempo cheguei chorar
Eu tinha esse vinil

elmersmishmash

This was one of my dads favorite songs to play when I was a kid in the 90s lol

kemaldalarslan

petra fan since 1985, thank you

davidbouckaert

this song kind of has like an Eye of the Tiger type of feel and sound from the group Survivor. Both soungs sound like they are the underdog, or over looked. However there were a few bands that did make songs like this during that time

ashleymiller1989

1984 my second album from them

isaacbaxter3

It's a rapid fire list of cliches, but I always liked the bridge lyrics in this song. 2:44 Go for it all, go for broke, turn the tide, aim for the top, take the Lion's share, hold your ground...Beat the System!