Volz showed great skills in singing from a very early age. Being a self-taught musician, when he was 13 years old, he started his own band called The Wombats. As he grew up, he went on to share the stage with the likes of Janis Joplin, Chicago and others. In 1970 he became a born-again Christian and started performing with several Christian bands. He formed a band called Gideon's Bible, and later toured with a group known simply as the e Band, which was a part of the Jesus Movement. They released an album titled Because I Am in 1973 but broke up shortly after. Volz then moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he worked with legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. He also performed the lead role in a rock stage musical called Ezekiel.
In 1976, Volz received two of the most important calls of his life. First, he was offered the lead singer position of REO Speedwagon. Volz, being a recently converted Christian, declined. Six weeks later, he got the call to participate in Petra's second album, Come and Join Us. Although at that time he participated as a guest singer in just three songs, founder/guitarist Bob Hartman (who, at that time, was sharing the lead-singing duties with co-founder/guitarist Greg Hough) offered Volz the full-time position.
His first full-time album with the band, Washes Whiter Than, came in 1979 and therein came one of the most prolific periods of the legendary band. Volz remained the lead singer until 1985 when he left to pursue a solo career. Volz released his first solo effort, titled The River is Rising in 1986 under Myrrh Records. He followed it with three other moderately successful albums. During this time, he also toured with Joe English in a band called Pieces of Eight. Volz' tours drew in the 1,000 to 1,500 range during this time - a very respectable number for a Contemporary Christian artist, but no where near the level he experienced at the end of his tenure with Petra.
In the mid-90's, Volz decided to retire for some time. Apparently, during this time he was dealing with the divorce from his long-time wife, Becky. He resurfaced in 1998 with a string of new albums released from that year on.
In October 4, 2005 he re-joined Petra for the live recording of their last DVD, Petra Farewell. He joined the stage with current singer John Schlitt for a medley of ballads, and he followed it with a solo rendition of "Grave Robber", which was one of his hits with the band.
During his career, Volz has also lent his voice to numerous projects in the Christian music scene.
Frontline
Greg X. Volz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No place of refuge to be found,
Invading paths of darkness, I stumble to the battleground.
And I feel the adversary closing in on every side, but knowing who I am will put me over.
I'm gonna go to the frontline,
I'm ready for the fight,
My armour is on and my sword's shining bright,
Everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline, yeah.
Though I walk through the valley I will never be afraid,
I stand on words of truth and every promise he has made,
For the weapons of my warfare are mighty through the Lord to the pulling down of strongholds,
I will conquer.
I'm gonna go to the frontline,
I'm ready for the fight,
My armour is on and my sword's shining bright,
On the frontline the battle's just begun,
Everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline.
Everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline, yeah.
Though I walk through this valley I will never be afraid,
I stand on words of truth and every promise he has made,
When I feel the adversary closing in on every side just knowing who I am will put me over.
I will cast away my troubles,
I will cast away my fears, for I know that he's watching over me.
I'm gonna go to the frontline,
I'm ready for the fight,
My armour is on and my sword's shining bright,
On the frontline the battle's just begun,
Everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline.
Everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline.
Hey, everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline, my, my,my,
Everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline, my, my.
Hey, everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline.
I'm gonna go to the frontline,
I'm ready for the fight,
My armour is on and my sword's shining bright,
On the frontline the battle's just begun,
Everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline.
I'm ready for the fight,
My armour is on and my sword's shining bright,
On the frontline the battle's just begun,
Everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline.
On the frontline.
Frontline.
The lyrics of Greg X. Volz's song Gethsemane speak of the fight against the adversary, the enemy, the darkness. The singer has already "crossed the line of danger" and finds himself in the battleground, with no refuge to be found. However, he is "ready for the fight," wearing his armor and with his sword shining bright. He knows that he is not alone, that God is watching over him, and that he can rely on the "words of truth and every promise he has made." Even when the adversary is "closing in on every side," the singer finds strength in "knowing who I am," and casts away his troubles and fears. In the end, he is confident that the victory is won on the frontline, where the battle has just begun.
The song's lyrics draw from a Christian worldview that sees life as a battle against evil, and the need to defend oneself with the armor of God, as described in the biblical book of Ephesians. The singer's journey can be seen as a metaphor for the Christian life, where one must constantly fight against temptation and sin, but can find hope in God's promises and protection. The upbeat tempo and catchy chorus of the song make it an exhortation to stay strong in the face of challenges and a call to action to fight the good fight.
Line by Line Meaning
I've crossed the line of danger,
I have ventured into risky or perilous situations.
No place of refuge to be found,
I cannot find a safe haven or place to hide.
Invading paths of darkness, I stumble to the battleground.
I have entered into areas of spiritual darkness and am struggling to reach the place of conflict.
And I feel the adversary closing in on every side, but knowing who I am will put me over.
I am aware of the enemy's approach, but my identity in Christ gives me strength to overcome.
I'm gonna go to the frontline,
I am determined to face the spiritual battle head-on.
I'm ready for the fight,
I am prepared to engage in the battle.
My armour is on and my sword's shining bright,
I have equipped myself with the armor of God's truth, and my faith is strong and shining.
On the frontline the battle's just begun,
The war is still ongoing, and the main conflict is taking place at the frontlines.
Everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline,
The victory in this spiritual battle is achieved through direct engagement on the frontlines.
Though I walk through the valley I will never be afraid,
Even though I am facing difficult situations, I trust God's promises and do not fear.
I stand on words of truth and every promise he has made,
My faith is grounded in the truth of God's word and his promises to me.
For the weapons of my warfare are mighty through the Lord to the pulling down of strongholds,
The spiritual weapons I possess have the power to defeat the enemy's strongholds through God's strength.
I will conquer.
I am confident of victory through God's power and might.
When I feel the adversary closing in on every side just knowing who I am will put me over.
Identifying myself in Christ gives me the strength to withstand the enemy's attacks.
I will cast away my troubles,
I will release my worries and concerns to God.
I will cast away my fears, for I know that he's watching over me.
I will trust in God's protection and care for me and not give in to fear.
Hey, everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline,
It is commonly understood that real progress and victory in the spiritual battle happens through direct engagement.
My, my,my,
Exclamation of excitement or anticipation.
Hey, everybody knows that the victory is won on the frontline, my, my.
Repeated emphasis on the importance of direct engagement in the battle.
On the frontline.
The primary area of conflict in the spiritual battle.
Frontline.
The place where the most intense fighting takes place in the spiritual battle.
Contributed by Owen C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@heyman5525
He sure had/has an incredible voice. I still love his last album with Petra which was "beat the system"
@flashlitestriker4028
!!! YES !!!