Barnabas
The Gospel According to Barnabas
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
Now that compact discs have been with us for six years or so, many classic recordings are being made available on this pristine digital format. The two projects closest to heavy metal are also the two that probably received the most touch-up work: "The Gospel According to Barnabas" and Joshua's "Surrender." The Barnabas release is a compilation of the band's best two albums: "Approaching Light Speed" and "Feel the Fire." John and Dino remixed from the original 24-track masters, beefing up the drums and bass, thickening the overall sound in appropriate places, like the intro to "Follow You Up." This band was one of the first, along with Stryper, to really tear it up on guitar. I remember thinking "Hmmm, check out those Randy Rhoads-like hammer-ons and vibrato action" the first time I heard Brian Belew's fiery riffing. Some of the edge from Brian's guitar sound was taken off in the remix (Awww!), though. The quiet moments here are improved, as noticed in the clean piano sounds in the ballad "If Love Brings Love" and the theatrical "prog rock" intros of "Prelude, The Dream" and "Breathless Wonderment." I A-B'd this version of "Breathless Wonderment" with the original and noticed more separation between the BGV's on the new one, showing that the Elefante Brothers indeed do know how to do a proper EQ. While the artsy/prog rock approach to metal that Barnabas took to its music is far outdated, longtime fans of the band will surely drool over this disc. For Barnabas, send $16.98 (plus $1 postage) to: Joyful Noise, PO Box 94, Bellevue NE 68005.