PETRA – ON FIRE! 2021 Remaster Girder Records, MP3+FLAC

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As requested, here’s in exclusive the Girder Records remastered reissue of PETRA 1988’s album “On Fire!“, as part of the label’s Legends Of Rock series. Now if you love that late ’80s U.S. melodic hard rock sound, polished yet punchy, then “On Fire!” is a must have in your collection.

All Petra remastered reissues by Girder Records are really good, but this is just fabulous. Originally produced by Dino & John Elefante, this album is h-u-g-e. And their job at the desk was so good that the album really benefits with a remaster from the original multi-track tapes. You need to hear this CD!
Musically, “On Fire!”, while still very melodic, it’s really hard rocking sharp, crisp, with a great attack for the most part.
After ‘This Means War’ dropped in 1987 with such success, no one would ever go on record saying that Petra would be able to top it. But Petra and magicians Dino & John Elefante had other plans, forging an entirely new album that would go down as one of the band’s all-time great works, and for many, their absolute favorite.

This is the first Petra album to feature Ronny Cates on bass who would remain with the band until 1995. With his addition to the line-up, the band started their more stable period in terms of line-up. Schlitt, Hartman, Cates, Lawry and Weaver would remain together for seven years and six albums.
And Cates resulted a great addition – his rounded bass lines are awesome, and this remaster takes the best of ’em. The difference with the original CD in terms of sound output is incredible. The bass on this album kills.
Well, the entire band shine as usual, Petra was at their peek here as musicians, and on this album, literally on fire!

Title track “All Fired Up” is first of three heavy hitters to open the album. It sets the tone with its staunch rhythm guitar, leaving no doubt as to the group’s buffeting intentions with its harrying mentality but also not backing from a melodic benchmark, unveiled in the forthrightly exuberant refrain. Founding member Bob Hartman might not be the flashiest lead guitarist, but his playing is melodic and stays true to the strength of the song.
“Hit You Where You Live” starts to a drum solo ahead of delivering ample low end groove alongside thickset guitar proclivity. Main difference, however, is a heightened keyboard presence, referencing the skilled work of John Lawry. Refrain particularly stands out with its fathomless ‘hit you where you live, you can’t hold back’ appeal.
“Mine Field” ranks with albums heaviest. Song delivers the type of metal edge and bite that it would not sound out of place on a Whitecross album, although a contrasting commercial component reveals in the glossy backing vocals hinting of Stryper. Schlitt complements the arresting scene with his trademark gritty and raspy but always heartfelt vocal abilities.

Ballad “First Love” is solid with its gracious melody but trends melodic hard rock and AOR territory. Hence, piano, spotless keyboards and pristine vocal harmonies convey its length. “Defector” also touches upon metal. It ups tempo to a more contentious angle, the keyed up timekeeping of drummer Louie Weaver lends to the expeditious flair, as an anthem like compositing of focused momentum and radiant energy leads the authoritative way. Fleet backing vocals lend a refining touch.

“Counsel Of The Holy” brings back PETRA mid-80s AOR, a midtempo with bite, and a very good one at that! It commences to a warm aligning of rhythm guitar and keyboards, with guitar dropping from the mix for the piano-laced verse sections only to return and shoulder the demonstrative – and quite engaging – refrain. Offshoot is albums most immediately radio friendly melody – and one of Petra’s finer Eighties songs.
“Somebody’s Gonna Praise His Name” ensues in underscoring the Petra melodic rock tradition. It begins slowly in angelic fashion to restful harmonizing, not gaining initiative until understated guitar takes over and impels things forward in mirroring a melodic rock-based form as opposed to hard rock.
In contrast with the heavier tracks on the album, “Open Book” is AORish, almost pop-rock – noting the abundant melody – with a prominent keyboard mix. We appreciate Ronny Cates’ distinguished bass line, and as always Schlitt performs admirably.

If we speak about Petra John Schlitt era albums, ”On Fire!” is among the best – if not the best. This is Petra ‘hard rock’ with polish, edge, balanced by a few ’80s AORish songs. Strong writing & arrangements (the Elefante Bros were involved as well), great playing and top notch production.
Really good 1988’s American melodic/hard stuff.
Highly Recommended

01 – All Fired Up
02 – Hit You Where You Live
03 – Mine Field
04 – First Love
05 – Defector
06 – Counsel of the Holy
07 – Somebody’s Gonna Praise His Name
08 – Open Book
09 – Stand In the Gap
10 – Homeless Few

John Schlitt – lead vocals, backing vocals
Bob Hartman – guitars
John Lawry – keyboards, backing vocals
Ronny Cates – bass
Louie Weaver – drums

Additional musicians;
John Andrew Schreiner – keyboards, programming
Bob Carlisle, Riki Michele – backing vocals
John Elefante – backing vocals, arrangements
Dino Elefante – arrangements

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