The band name Viktor may be new to the world of Christian rock and pop, but members’ veteran lineage makes them some of the most seasoned and sought after players in the history of the genre. Drummer Louie Weaver is one of the industry’s most respected and instantly recognizable players known for his vast experiences, including 22 years in Petra. Aside from scoring four Grammy Awards, a spot in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and sold out concerts from coast to coast, he’s also been voted “Favorite Drummer” by CCM Magazine five times. Singer Jimi Bennett is also known for several years in the spotlight, first singing with popular Star Song act Sacred Fire and later with King James (featuring WhiteCross’s Rex Carroll). Fellow co-founder Tommy Brown has brought his bass playing skills on numerous occasions and also contributed behind the scenes as a driver for Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart and Petra. The quintet is rounded out by keyboard player Terry McCollam, who previously played with Ruscha, scoring appearances on internationally recognized television outlets like TBN and The 700 Club.

Though the guys certainly appear to be a super group of sorts on paper- backed by exceptional chops and tightly sealed perfection- there’s more to their purpose than riding on past laurels or pumping each other up with accolades. “Our intent is not to be a super group because this band is not about us as individuals,” offers Weaver with a chuckle that soon turns undeniably sincere. “Where we’re at is basically serving other people and serving one another in the band. I see too many stars in Christian music and the star-ism needs to be lightened up. We’re not doing this for the glory. God doesn’t need me to do this, I need God but I feel like we’re following where He’s leading and we go from there. My calling as a musician has never changed, its just gotten deferred but the fact that God’s called the other guys to be with me really helps.” Though the group officially launches this spring with a hotly anticipated album on the horizon, some members informally performed together for a benefit a few summers ago. Bennett was booked as a solo artist for a festival in Cleveland, Ohio but wanted to be joined by a band, collaborating with Weaver and Brown after being re-introduced through mutual friends- and the rest, as they say, is history! “I remember the show going so well and having a great time together,” Bennett recalls of the God ordained day. “Everybody was asking us if we had a CD for sale and we all had to keep saying ‘no’ but said we were going to start working on one. Then on the bus ride home, Louie, Tommy and I sat down and we asked each other what we thought. The response was ‘let’s give it a go!’” With a few more pieces of the instrumental puzzle, the nucleus of Viktor as it’s now known was formed and a series of writing, song selecting and studio sessions ensued. The forthcoming results will feature a mixture of rock, pop and praise with lyrics unabashedly proclaiming the gospel and witnessing to the world that it can achieve ultimate victory in Christ. “We’re not ashamed of the Truth and we want people to know that they can stand victorious in Christ,” explains Regal of the group’s namesake and underlying direction. “I remember it came to Jimi one day and we all discussed it. Then a few days later we went to church together- on Easter Sunday to be exact- and the pastor’s topic was being victorious in Christ. That seemed to be the name given to the band, so who are we to question that?” In terms of upcoming songs’ sonic structure, appreciators of the gang’s backgrounds are sure to fall in love with the material, as are new listeners discovering Viktor for the very first time. The group’s debut disc is under the production direction of John Lawry, perhaps most familiar to music fans for his pivotal role as Petra’s keyboardist. “John really has his ear to the ground, he knows what’s current and he’s been a huge factor in establishing our sound,” continues Brown. “He’s a musical genius when it comes to arranging and producing- a really fun guy to watch. Working with him has filled the sessions full of energy and it’s so refreshing to have somebody like that in the room. He’s taken creativity to another degree that’s been a huge home run for Viktor.” But beyond hitting the ball out of the park with its razor sharp riffs, the five-some is holding true to a calling of proclaiming the Good News, reaching out to the lost and encouraging believers with more fervor than ever before. It’s a bold task indeed sure to stand out from the contemporary pack, but one members embrace fearlessly as they take the sword of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness to the masses. “Our music is unwatered down rock & roll in every sense of the term,” sums up Weaver. “It has always been my hearts intention to serve God with my talent, and with these brothers I’ve joined with, there is not a doubt that our legacy together will be remembered for ministry more so… than the music.”