Review | Barnabas Sky – Over The Horizon

Pride & Joy Records

‘Over The Horizon’ is the third album in the all-star project Barnabas Sky. German multi-instrumentalist Markus Pfeffer started this project some years ago, writing all the music and inviting well-known vocalists to give him a helping hand. Tyketto’s Danny Vaughn has been participating on all Barnabas Sky records so far and he kicks of the proceedings with the power rocker ,,Sign Of The Wolf’’. That track gives a very decent indication of what Barnabas Sky stands for: good and solid melodic classic rock with plenty of variation and proper dynamics.

GATHERING OF VOCAL TALENT

Markus Pfeffer played all the instruments only using drummer Thomas Rieder as main assistant. This record really offers a gathering of vocal talent. I already mentioned Danny Vaughn, but what to think of Tony Harnell (TNT), David Cagle (Silent Tiger), Hittman’s Dirk Kennedy, Conny Lind (Amaze Me) and the fantastic Lee Small (Lionheart)? All great singers in their own way. And there is also room for a new talent in the person of Venezuelan singer Deibys Arbigas (Preincarnation). All singers have written their own lyrics for the songs they are singing, which is a good move as they in this manner also come up with their own vocal melodies. Several singers (Vaughn, Kennedy, and Cagle) have each participated on two songs.

DYNAMIC

‘Over The Horizon’ is a dynamic album. Only the track ,,The Only Way’’ is a ballad and Pfeffer made the right choice in picking Tony Harnell for this one. This grossly underrated talent absolutely shines on this track. The other songs are definitely more hard rock and classic rock tinted. The two Vaughn tracks stand out as does ,,Lone Wolf’’ that is sung by Lee Small and has a nice rocking groove.

BARNABAS SKY – THE CONCLUSION

Maybe not all songs are as good as each other on ‘Over The Horizon’, but there are enough highlights present. The album is very solid, the sound packs a punch and Pfeffer as guitarist and keyboardist has come up with some brilliant ideas as well. With all these different singers Pfeffer still has managed to make this album sound as a unit. It is not that the sound and songs are just all over the place, far from I would say. ‘Over The Horizon’ rocks and rolls!

Release date: 25 August 2025