Inspirations [CD]

The new all-star Hard & Heavy project Barnabas Sky comes from the mind of multi-instrumentalist Markus Pfeffer (Lazarus Dream, Winterland, ex-Scarlett). The debut album, full of catchy hooklines, edgy-groovy rocking guitar riffs and filigree guitar solos is titled "Inspirations", because of all the well known singers, which had influenced him significantly: Jesse Damon (Silent Rage), Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper/Lionsheart), Danny Martinez Jr. (Guild Of Ages), Rob Rock (Impelliteri/ Axel Rudi Pell), Zak Stevens (Savatage) and Danny Vaughn (Tyketto) do the lead vocals on the album. Tyketto's golden throat Danny Vaughn on the epic opener "Legends Rise" and "Say Farewell To Darker Days. Savatage singer Zak Stevens contributed lyrics about the psychological effects of the pandemic for the heavy stomping track "What Lies Beneath", which is underpinned with down-tuned guitar riffs and subtle orchestral arrangements Guild Of Ages frontman Danny Martinez Jr. Dominates the Melodic Hard Rock songs "Breathe Again" and "In My Mind" with his very own timbre and velvety voice. Silent Rages's smoky-throated frontman Jesse Damon carries the epic ballad "Till The End Of Time" and the rocker "Youngblood", with AOR legend Paul Sabu contributing backing vocals for both tracks. Melodic Metal siren Rob Rock (Axel Rudi Pell) takes over the mic on the riff monster "Yesterday's Gone" and Grim Reaper's Steve Grimmett's unmistakable voice convinces on the straight rocker "Never Enough". Pfeffer has adapted the title tune of the seventies TV series "Timm Thaler" in a "Gary Moore way". The names of the contributors speak for themselves - there can hardly be more arguments to lend Barnabas Sky's debut album an attentive ear.