Barren Cross - "Birth Pangs"

The new Barren Cross live album "Birth Pangs" is currently available for download at the Barren Cross website: http://www.barrencross.com/shop

The CD version will ship in February.  The album includes 18 songs (from the groups 2012 Elements Of Rock festival performance) and comes in at 1 hour and 33 minutes.

There is also a pre-order available for a re-mastered version to Rock For The King (CD also shipping in February) in addition to a download of the groups demos from 1984-1985.

Great at least this is forward progress. But still holding out for a new studio album!

I would definitely like to get a remastered "Rock For the King".  Perhaps selling these two albums will give them the funds to do a new studio album without having to do a Kickstarter program.

"Rock For The King" will be great to add to my collection.

I have the original and 1990 remastered version of RFTK, both of which still sound outstanding in my opinion. So I doubt that I will order this new version. I just don't see the point in purchasing it a third time.


The only reason that I can guess for "remastering" yet again is so that BC can gain control of the songs from Star Song and/or Enigma Records much in the same way that Stryper did by rerecording their songs for Second Coming.



On the other hand, I will definitely be ordering Birth Pangs.

I'll be skipping Birth Pangs.  Hopefully they'll do another studio album soon.

Are they still doing anything together?

Their website states that they are officially back.

I have a lot of questions about this reunion.

Like what?

I was disappointed with the 1990 reissue of RFTK. I didn't like the remixes and the fact that on Going Nowhere the crashing cymbal is gone. I'll probably get Birth Pangs sometime after Christmas but may opt for the download version if it becomes available!

I have the Medusa version of ROFTK so I'll pass on the updated re-mastered version. I'm not a huge fan of live albums (with the exception of the Passion albums) so I'll pass on that as well. Hopefully over time they do get that new album or ep released. Hopefully, with bands like Guardian, Bloodgood, and even the Brave releasing new material, they will be inspired.

I always wonder how Saint can keep putting out very good albums but the others struggle to?

alldatndensum wrote:

Like what?

Mainly is their heart really in it. I just don't get the impression it is. Kinda like Guardian. It seems like they are all involved in other projects and jobs and the band is now a side project that you work on when there is time. I think the answer to the Saint question is that they are committed to doing it. They are committed to putting out quality releases. 

I'm also not clear what changed that made them suddenly able to work with Mike again. I read the statements, but I didn't see anything really different. Not that they have to prove anything to me, I'm just confused by it all.

She Eats Cheese wrote:

I was disappointed with the 1990 reissue of RFTK. I didn't like the remixes and the fact that on Going Nowhere the crashing cymbal is gone. I'll probably get Birth Pangs sometime after Christmas but may opt for the download version if it becomes available!

Ronnie Montrose pretty well butchered that remix in 1990... it was contract filler for BC... and the live album as well.... 

The original star song release could really use a remaster... but I'm skeptical.... Mike Lee (Drive) did the remaster job....  sorry guys but I want an audio engineer who specializes in this type of thing.... no disrespect intended but a remaster job on an MP3 file???? really??

Well he did remaster Rattle Your Cage and it sounds pretty good.

I'll see about picking this up early 2014.

ok...I have several comments regarding multiple posts..

MikeInFla...  The biggest problem most people have with the Rattle Your Cage remaster is that it is way too loud, to the point of distorting the intended sound.

mr.electric40...not sure what you mean. The remaster of RFTK is being offered on a cd as well a mp3


Redeemed Fool and messiaen77 . ..Not sure what albums you don't think are "quality"...all of the 80s bands that have regrouped are putting out quality cds. If you mean why they don't put out as many releases, then that is due to a lot of reasons. Some bands grow out of this style of music and the individuals go into other genres, some guys decide to spend more time with their family to raise children, some guys decide to get involved with their church more, some guys decide they want to work as producers, etc etc...

Remember, in Christian music, the music takes a back seat to what they feel God is calling them to do.

Saint went thru a gap without any releases too.


She Eats Cheese....The download is available


Redeemed Fool and Xid... Arttie Parker of CMR said that they told him they are using the money from the sales of the RFTK remaster and Birth Pangs to finish up a new studio album



phydeaux72... Doing a remaster does not get you the rights back, you have to re-record it OR remix / remaster in such a way that it is a totally new product. I am sure they did it because the previous versions of it are crazy expensive and they are hoping to get the music into the hands of their fans (as well as making some money to go towards the new cd).

For those that don't want the live cd Birth Pangs because they have Hotter Than Hell, remember that Hotter Than Hell has no songs from Rattle Your Cage or State of Control on it.

Birth Pangs takes from their entire catalog

I haven't gotten Birth Pangs because I don't particularly like live albums.

I will probably get the "Rock For The King" remaster, however.  I might get the "Rattle Your Cage" remaster as well.

I won't get the live album (just because I don't listen to live albums typically).

But I do want the RFTK remaster (all I have is the reissue), and I might get the demo material downloads if they are of decent quality.

I love live albums, and I have owned this since day 1. 

I went to listen to this yesterday and I had totally forgot how annoying this particular release was..oh my...the amount of echoing in his voice is crazy. It sounds like he has a twin on stage singing a split second behind him.

AtomicFan wrote:

I love live albums, and I have owned this since day 1. 

I went to listen to this yesterday and I had totally forgot how annoying this particular release was..oh my...the amount of echoing in his voice is crazy. It sounds like he has a twin on stage singing a split second behind him.

I only have two things to say.

1. Oh man nothing ruins a recording like echo (especially in the vocals).
2. Way to resurrect and old thread! 

Staybrite wrote:

AtomicFan wrote:

I love live albums, and I have owned this since day 1. 

I went to listen to this yesterday and I had totally forgot how annoying this particular release was..oh my...the amount of echoing in his voice is crazy. It sounds like he has a twin on stage singing a split second behind him.

I only have two things to say.

1. Oh man nothing ruins a recording like echo (especially in the vocals).
2. Way to resurrect and old thread! 

Yeah, lol, I figured it would give it a good backstory instead of me just complaining