Review: Balance of Power – Fresh From The Abyss

Massacre Records (April 19^th,2024)

Reviewer: David Pearce

Balance of Power are a rock band from London who formed in 1995. After four albums in the 90s and early 2000s, they went on a hiatus, but they are back with a new lead singer and a new album ‘Fresh from the Abyss‘. Their new lead singer is Hazel Jade who is joined by guitarists Adam Wardle and Chris Young and the two remaining original members bassist Tony Ritchie and drummer Lionel Hicks.

‘Last Man Down’ simply explodes out of the speaker as Balance of Power set out their stall with one of the heaviest opening tracks I have heard in a while. Hazel Jade’s power is absolutely amazing, and she shows why the group snapped her up as their new lead singer. ‘Never Be Here Again’ starts in a more restrained manner and it gives a chance to hear the way that Lionel Hicks drums anchor the sound of the band with all the experience of three decades at play. A brilliant guitar solo also shows how well they create their heavy soundscapes. ‘Monster’ is going to be a blast live, starting with a handclap that the crowd will join in with at the beginning of a song that channels 80s era Iron Maiden and really shows off Jade as a fantastic heavy rock singer. ‘Rage of Ages’ ramps up the energy and the sound as the twin guitars of Adam Wardle and Chris Young combine brilliantly over the top of the bass of Tony Ritchie giving their sound a real depth. Hicks gives another masterclass on the drums as this song shows the group at their best as a tight musical unit. It’s an absolute highlight of the album.

‘Abyss’ returns to the heavy metal style of the opening track and Hazel Jade provides a vocal with huge menace that takes her to another level. ‘Velocity’ is another 80s style track that really intrigues with its lyrics that are somehow mythic and pitch you into a story that you feel started ages ago and will carry on long after the song finishes. ‘Deadlands’ has another excellent vocal as Jade shows off yet another side to her talent as a fantastic rock singer. The final track ‘One More Trip around the Sun’ has a beautiful acoustic guitar backing and a gentler vocal that make it a really good finish to the album as Jade simply knocks it out of the park. Don’t get me wrong, it’s rock all the way, but it shows a group that can turn their hand to a different style with equal verve and success.

Balance of Power have produced my favourite rock album of the year so far and in Hazel Jade they have unearthed an absolute gem! They may have been going for nearly 30 years but on the evidence of ‘Fresh from the Abyss‘, they still have a huge amount to offer.

Tracklist:

1. Last Man Down
2. Never Be Here Again
3. Monster
4. Rage of Ages
5. Abyss
6. Velocity
7. Deadlands
8. One More Trip around the Sun

Facebook

Instagram