Hope (Petra album)

Hope
Studio album by
Petra
ReleasedJanuary 5, 2026 (2026-01-05)
Genre
Length35:14
LabelGirder Music
ProducerPetra
Petra studio albums chronology
Jekyll and Hyde
(2003) 		Hope
(2026)
Petra chronology
Farewell
(2005) 		Hope
(2026)
Singles from Hope
  1. "Deliver Us"
    Released: September 26, 2025
  2. "Filthy Lucre"
    Released: February 17, 2026
  3. "Kiss the Coals"
    Released: March 17, 2026

Hope is the twenty-first studio album recorded by the American Christian rock band Petra. It was released via Girder Music, to digital download and streaming formats on January 5, 2026, to CD formats on January 12, 2025, and to LP formats in March 2026. Hope marks Petra's first studio album in over twenty years, following Jekyll & Hyde (2003), and Petra's first album overall since Farewell (2005). It also marks their first studio album to be released via Girder Music.[1]

Of its ten tracks, the album was supported by the release of theww singles, "Deliver Us" on September 26, 2025, "Filthy Lucre" on February 17, 2026, and "Kiss the Coals" on March 17, 2026.[2] "Deliver Us" peaked at No. 1 on the CR.net Christian Rock chart, while "Filthy Lucre" peaked at number 28. The album was written by Bob Hartman, with two tracks written by both B. Hartman and Jeff Hartman, and produced by Petra. It was mixed by John Jaszcz and Nick Rad, and mastered by The Foxboro.[3]

Background

Girder Music noted that the timing of Hope's release "could not be more significant" because of being released at a time when "the world feels fractured, shaken by tragedy, and desperate for truth." Girder Music named specific events, in particular the assassination of Charlie Kirk, an American political activist, which they noted as a "reminder of our nation's division and unrest." The album was intended to bring hope and "fierce reliance on God's deliverance" in spite of the "chaos and fear."[4]

In addition to being recorded and released as a reminder that "Jesus still offers hope," Hope was also released to celebrate the band's 50th anniversary.[5] The album demonstrates the styles of Christian metal and hard rock.[6] The track "Oxygen" maintained elements of reggae.[7][8]

Release and promotion

On September 23, 2025, it announced of the upcoming release of "Deliver Us", which would be the lead single to Hope.[5] The song was supported by the release of a lyric video, which was premiered to YouTube upon release.[9] Initially, Petra did not have the intention of releasing the song as a single, however, they decided to release it because they felt that "with recent events the time is urgent."[10] "Deliver Us" is centered around the idea that "our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of darkness." It has been inspired by Ephesians 6:12-13, which states:[4][11]

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

— Ephesians 6:12-13, NIV[12]

Hope had originally been announced for release in autumn of 2025, but was delayed until 2026.[13][6] Preorders for CDs and LPs of the album were scheduled to be available on January 1, 2026. CDs would be released and shipped on January 12, 2026, while LPs would not be scheduled for shipment until March 2026.[14][15] LPs were released with three color variants as collector editions.[16][17]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Front Row Report9/10[18]
Jesus Freak Hideout[19]

Critical

Speaking for Get Ready to Rock!, Jason Ritchie noted that the album takes the "rockier sound" of previous albums, particularly Jekyll & Hyde (2003), On Fire! (1988), and Beyond Belief (1990), in addition to adding "a few musical twists." He observed that "time has not diminished their lyrical and musical passion," but stated that the track "Oxygen" was "the one let down."[7] Eternal Flames described Hope as a "triumphant return," praising its ability to blend "classic and fresh sounds with deep lyrics."[20]

In a 9/10 review for Front Row Report, Reggie Edwards said of the album that it was less heavy than some previous Petra releases, but regardless, it "still packs a punch." He named "Kiss the Coals" and "Thorns" as prominent "stand-out tracks" from the album. However, he noted that Hope "is almost impossible to compare to previous Petra records" due to sounding notably different from other albums.[18] Logan Sekulow of CCM Magazine stated that Hope "absolutely rewards a full listen"; however, he noted that its only fault was its "modern slickness of the production."[8] Alternatively, Brad Bowman of HM Magazine said that the production was "stellar", having contained "rich vocal harmonies, crunchy guitars, and layered keys create a full, room-filling sound." He labelled "Filthy Lucre", "Skin in the Game", and "Miracle Maker" as standout tracks on the album.[21]

Commercial

"Deliver Us", the album's lead single, peaked at No. 1 on the CR.net Christian Rock chart week dated to January 11, 2026.[22] "Filthy Lucre" debuted at its peak position of number 28 on that chart for the week of March 15, 2026.[23]

Track listing

All songs are written by Bob Hartman and produced by Petra unless otherwise noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Filthy Lucre" 3:17
2."Kiss the Coals"
  • Bob Hartman
  • Jeff Hartman
2:59
3."Oxygen" 3:03
4."Skin in the Game" 3:38
5."We Rejoice in Hope" 3:27
6."Miracle Maker" 3:37
7."There Will Still Be a Dawn"
  • Bob Hartman
  • Jeff Hartman
3:23
8."Thorns" 3:49
9."Looking Back" 4:05
10."Deliver Us" 3:42
Total length:35:14

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal Music.[3]

Release history

Release history and formats for Hope
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various January 5, 2026
Girder Music [24]
January 12, 2026
March 2026

References

  1. ^ "Petra Releases First New Album in Over Two Decades, Hope". Jesus Freak Hideout. Inova PR. January 6, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  2. ^ "Petra Releases "Filthy Lucre" to Christian Radio". Jesus Freak Hideout. Inov8. February 17, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Hope / Petra / Credits". Girder Music. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026 – via Tidal Music.
  4. ^ a b "Petra Returns with "Deliver Us" — A Cry for Strength in a World on Edge". Girder Music. September 13, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Petra Announces First All-New Album in Over 20 Years, Hope". Jesus Freak Hideout. Petra/JFH. September 23, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Metalis, Lex (June 9, 2025). "Petra (yeah, this Petra that you're thinking) will release a new album!". The Christian Metal Realm. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Ritchie, Jason (January 5, 2026). "Album review: PETRA – Hope". Get Ready to Rock!. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  8. ^ a b Sekulow, Logan (January 8, 2026). "Petra Returns with Hope: The Long Awaited Studio Album". CCM Magazine. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  9. ^ Petra "Deliver Us" (single) from the upcoming album HOPE! (Video). Girder Music. December 24, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "Petra drop video for new single "Deliver Us" from upcoming first studio album in 20 years". Sleaze Roxx. November 11, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  11. ^ "Petra lança "Deliver Us", do novo álbum Hope!" [Petra releases "Deliver Us" from their new album Hope!]. Petra Tribute (in Portuguese). September 24, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  12. ^ "Ephesians 6:12-13". Bible Gateway. Zondervan. 1978. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  13. ^ "Petra Announces Upcoming Full-Length Album". New Release Today. NRT Staff Reports (JF). September 28, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  14. ^ "HOPE is Coming, Petra's First New Studio Album in 20 Years". The Z. Girder Music. December 24, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  15. ^ "HOPE is Coming, Petra's First New Studio Album in 20 Years". Jesus Freak Hideout. Girder Music. December 24, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  16. ^ Yap, Timothy (December 25, 2025). "Petra Returns With HOPE, First Album of All-New Music in Over 20 Years". Jubilee Cast. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  17. ^ Roth, Kaj (December 28, 2025). "Christian Rock Legends Petra With Hope". Melodic Net. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  18. ^ a b Edwards, Reggie (January 3, 2026). "Review: Petra- Hope". Front Row Report. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  19. ^ Underdown, John (January 9, 2026). "Petra, "Hope" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  20. ^ "Petra – "Hope" (2026): A Comeback Without Nostalgia". Eternal Flames. January 4, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  21. ^ Bowman, Brad (January 9, 2026). "Review: Petra – Hope". Heaven's Metal. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  22. ^ "Top 30 of the Week". CR.net. January 11, 2026. Retrieved January 11, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  23. ^ "Top 30 of the Week". CR.net. March 15, 2026. Archived from the original on March 15, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  24. ^ ""HOPE" is Coming, Petra's First New Studio Album in 20 Years". Weekend 22. January 4, 2026. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
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