BARNABAS — Approaching Light Speed (review)

BARNABAS — Approaching Light Speed album cover Album · 1983 · Hard Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
AtomicCrimsonRush
An absolute gem that I was thrashing in the early 80s when Christian metal was being churned out following the success of Petra and Rez hard rock bands. Of course the difference here was that Barnabus went for a very heavy sound with chugging riffage and an incredible female vocalist in Nancy Jo Mann, who could scream up a storm or croon soft ballads. Brian Belew is fabulous on guitars, with squealing lead solos and Gary Mann was a marvel on Bass and Keyboards.

He lent a futuristic edge on tracks such as the apocalyptic Waiting For The Aliens. The lyrics sum up the alien edge on this; "Captured earthlings vanish in a flicker of light, And there's nothing that the Air Force can do, The guys at work all say that it's a message from space, An omen of the good things to come, An interstellar rescue for what's left of the race, Now that the troublemakers are gone." This track is superb ending on a controlled voice over stating that the people of earth were not under subjugation by the new alien race. Those who oppose will meet a fatal end "swiftly and without mercy."

Kris Klingensmith on Drums keeps time well throughout the album and there are many highlights to mention. One of the best is the rhythmic crunching "Stomrclouds", with the powerful chorus belted out by Nancy, "As the stormclouds roll from the crest of Mount Zion Who will turn away and be saved?"

The piano driven ballad is beautiful, "If Love Brings Love". This is balanced by the heavy thrashing of "No Freedom" and "Never Felt Better". "Warrior" is great too with a terrific verse, "Spiritual warriors in life, Battle with sword in hand, I will fight the good fight in life, Conquering I'll make my stand." In "Crucifixion" the theme is obvious centring on Jesus on the cross, and it features a very good Bass solo from Mann.

Overall, this is certainly the best Barnabas album and it epitomises the great 80s Christian metal phase; awesome riffs, powerful singing and strong Christian themes. Try this one definitely.
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