{"id":11789,"date":"2024-07-21T18:42:18","date_gmt":"2024-07-21T22:42:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=11789"},"modified":"2024-07-22T10:20:56","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T14:20:56","slug":"balance-of-power-fresh-from-the-abyss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/21\/balance-of-power-fresh-from-the-abyss\/","title":{"rendered":"BALANCE OF POWER: Fresh From The Abyss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>King Power<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UK\u2019s Balance of Power put out some amazing melodic rock\/melodic metal albums in the late \u201890\u2019s\/early 2000\u2019s with Lance King on vocals \u2013 the best and most memorable was <em>Perfect Balance<\/em> (2001) which was the culmination of 3 releases with King on vocals, all of them excellent. This band\u2019s penchant for a melodic hook and melody \u2013 augmented by perfect mixing \u2013 is notorious, as fans of those albums are aware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But then, for reasons unknown to this writer, they totally changed things up with 2003\u2019s <em>Heathen Machine<\/em>, which was more of a progressive metal album with John K on vocals \u2013 his style not too dissimilar to King but more harsh, less melodic. The songs were longer in the 6-8-minute range \u2013 with a bit too much instrumental jamming \u2013 and the usually melodic hooks were noticeably absent. Now, don\u2019t get me wrong, the album wasn\u2019t bad \u2013 these guys are skilled musicians\/writers \u2013 but it was such a change from the previous three records that it just never went over well with media and fans alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps, the detour of expression which was <em>Heathen Machine<\/em> may explain the 20-year hiatus from making a new album \u2026 or perhaps other factors were involved\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>One More Time\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nevertheless, Balance of Power is back in 2024 for (at least) \u201cone more time around the sun\u201d with Lionel Hicks (drums\/production) and band founder\/Tony Ritchie (bass\/vocals\/main songwriter) \u2013 the only original member from the 1997 debut <em>When The World Falls Down<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Jade<\/strong> Power<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not surprisingly, somewhere along the way they\u2019ve discovered the talented singer\/songwriter Hazel Jade (Rogers) (ElevationFalls) from Dublin, Ireland, who has an amazing melodic voice which encompasses a plethora of musical styles (jazz\/hip-hop\/pop\/rock). Powerful, emotive, sensual and hypnotic, Jade\u2019s vocals are quite striking, and because of her lower range she infuses a grittier rock style to the BOP sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pete Southern (guitars) is credited with one song here but on the insert Chris Masimore and Stoney Wagner have taken over the guitars and Julien Spreutels the keyboards. Based on the quality of the guitar solos on <em>Fresh From The Abyss<\/em> \u2013 and there are quite a few &#8211; there is no shortage of talent here. Similarly, the keyboards are used so effectively here that at times you forget they are there at all, but then a flourish here, an atmospheric effect there, and even a solo or two reminds you of their perfect presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Jepson Vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most significantly, the album was co-produced by Hicks, of course, and singer\/songwriter Toby Jepson (Little Angels\/Wayward Sons). Jepson has enjoyed success in the UK throughout his career for his development of young bands and he has a vision to use computers as little as possible in the songwriting process. Now, some of you are probably wondering where I am going with this, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>More Voids to Fill\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A concept which was introduced in my Human Code \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/18\/human-code-break-the-silence-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Break the Silence<\/a><\/em> review is this idea that there is the propensity of nature to \u201cfill a vacuum\u201d or void and that this idea carries naturally over into the music industry. Where has all the melodic rock, hard rock, pop if you want to call it, gone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, music by numbers has replaced humans sitting in a room together, exchanging ideas and actually writing memorable, melodic music with meaningful lyrics \u2013 words and sounds which connect with other humans on an emotional and spiritual level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Balance: <strong>The Rise and Fall and Rise of Dream Theater<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t misunderstand, technical music is amazing. I am a huge fan of musicians and artists who can play complex and technically difficult to execute music. It\u2019s a gift. But those sounds don\u2019t always create great music, in my opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why was Dream Theater\u2019s <em>Images and Words<\/em> album such a success? They found a way to introduce mind-boggling execution without \u2013 I repeat \u2013 without sacrificing the melody. In the middle part of their career (after Scenes\u2026) I find their songwriting waned in favor of technical prowess and the song quality fell. Thankfully, on the last few releases they\u2019ve moved back toward a better balance between the technical and the melodic elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Perfect Balance \u2013 A Shade Darker<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And speaking of balance, the guys in Human Code figured this out which is why <em>Break the Silence<\/em> is such an amazing recording of songs. They knew there was a \u201cvoid\u201d of good melodic rock records out there in the past 20 years. I would argue that Balance of Power\u2019s <em>Perfect Balance<\/em> (2001) was one of the last really great, nearly perfect hard rock\/melodic metal releases of the past two decades. Sure, there have been some good ones, but that album was great and still sounds amazing to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Incidentally, if you haven\u2019t figured it out by now, the appropriately titled, <em>Fresh From The Abyss<\/em>, is a melodic hard rock\/melodic power metal juggernaut which captures some of the greatness of <em>Perfect Balance<\/em>, while simultaneously adding a darker edge to the story-telling. Afterall, the world has changed a lot in 20 some years, has it not?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Balanced Return<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But what hasn\u2019t changed is the need for more music with great hooks, rhythms and melodies \u2013 the need for songs which can both create an emotional picture and rock with conviction and energy. I\u2019ve listened to <em>Fresh From The Abyss<\/em> probably 20 or more times in the past 3 months and can\u2019t find much of a weak moment (maybe the repetition in the choruses?).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is not an album on many people\u2019s radars this year because most people figured that BOP was over by virtue of their 20-year silence. How much that last release <em>Heathen Machine<\/em> factors into the equation only the band can meaningfully comment upon. But I would bet this release will be as much of a surprise to many listeners, critics, etc. as it was to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What\u2019s In a Cover (Art)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interestingly, the album cover (we still love these right?) with its dark, ominous tones speaks volumes about how <em>Fresh From The Abyss<\/em> differs from those somewhat more \u201ccheerful\u201d BOP album covers of yesteryear. We live in dark times. We don\u2019t need scenes of Hell and demons and warriors fighting with swords anymore to remind us how bad things are in reality \u2013 reality is in our face every day. It\u2019s almost like a statement of presence, like, this is where I\u2019ve been, this is what I\u2019ve endured, and this is where I live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consequentially, as the best album covers perfectly capture the essence of both the music and the words, the whole idea evoked here is one of endurance, perseverance and survival. I think its brilliant \u2013 dark yet not fatalistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Keep It Simple<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, and in stark contrast to the back catalog, the CD digipak is simplistic in design and the 12-page booklet isn\u2019t filled with bright graphic artwork. Instead, the words are the focus, clean and direct. Almost like the band is saying, forget the flare, this is what matters \u2013 the words and the music soundtrack. Period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, this clean, more simplistic (which doesn\u2019t mean boring) approach is carried out in the music. Nothing complex here \u2013 these songs are totally engaging and accessible. Look, I love technical metal, but didn\u2019t the Beatles prove a long time ago that memorable and impactful can be found within the simplest beats and melodies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Keep It Concise<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Fresh From The Abyss<\/em> is sheen, its powerful and it has been trimmed to a lean 42 minutes. You might think that after 20 years the band would have more material to showcase, but maybe they did some heavy editing to keep only the best for maximum impact. Quality over quantity. But back in the day, the album sides were all around 20 minutes \u2026 so keep that in perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"BALANCE OF POWER - Never Be Here Again (Official Video)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ggu5OVcnAgA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Soundtrack To Survival of The Abyss<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What is immediately evident from the first song and what becomes clearer as the songs progress, as well as with repeated listening, is that there was likely a lot of pre-production work done on this album. This should be of no surprise given the musical and production pedigree of Hicks and Jepson as well as Ritchie\u2019s gift for songwriting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Give Me the Strength\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The opening track \u201c<strong>Last Man Down<\/strong>\u201d perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the album. Queen-like vocal effects kick it off as Hicks fills the intro to the song with busy, yet smooth snare and tom accents before laying down the heavy groove with the guitars and bass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;\u2026and then Jade unleashes her voice upon the rock world!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>\u201cThis was not the ending I was looking for\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her voice is accompanied by male BGV\u2019s in the spirit of UK prog metallers Threshold as she wades her way through what seems like a near death environment. After the second verse and chorus there is a guitar solo followed by this progg-y keyboard solo, which is surprising, yet flows perfectly within the context of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jade once again leads with clarity through verse 3,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>\u201cMy body\u2019s numb, but I\u2019m still dancing\/through the wind and rain \u2026 the silence it comes and trickles through my brain\/I think the end is close\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The infectious chorus section resounds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>\u201cWho hears the words of the last man down\/Give me the strength of the last man down\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If that\u2019s not enough, the song closes with Hicks jamming out again with almost improvisational drum fills amidst the overlying high-register BGVs. If you think the compositional skills and chops are rusty after 20 years, forget it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Like Thunder in the Night\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<strong>Never Be Here Again<\/strong>\u201d has an epic vibe, the keyboard\/effect intro setting the tone to convey the urgency of the message. The dynamic contrast here is ridiculously effective. The ebb and flow of tension within this track is crazy as is the way in which the keyboards provide support without making the song sound progg-y. Think Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is melodic hard rock at its heart, yet with just a touch of contemporary edge and that sweet guitar solo shreds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>\u201cScreaming out a warning\/There\u2019s an angel burning bright\/We can never be here again\/Never be here again\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mind Killer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In quintessential BOP form, \u201c<strong>Monster<\/strong>\u201d is a monster of a song, the patented grooves and drum beat so true to form for this band. And the catchiness of this chorus section is infectious\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>\u201cThere\u2019s a monster in my head\/I\u2019m going in for the kill\/There\u2019s a monster in my head\/There\u2019s no going around it\/I wish I never found it\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once again, the balance on this song between hooky melody and rhythmic bliss is darn near perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Hell of the Evergreen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Musically, \u201c<strong>Rage of Ages<\/strong>\u201d is an amazing song, but I have no idea what the lyrics are trying to convey here. I could conjecture that this is a lament about how hard it is to stay \u201ctrue\u201d (or evergreen) to what we believe, especially when we get Job-treatment \u2013 when \u201cyou\u2019re alone and lonely beneath the sun\/the rage has cut you deep\/but the pain goes on an on.\u201d But wow, what a guitar groove! And Jade\u2019s pipes on this song near the end go upper level. Primo!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"BALANCE OF POWER - Abyss (Official Video)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SfSQ3oxwyjE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Diamond in the Darkness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<strong>Abyss<\/strong>,&#8221; essentially the title track, is classic Balance of Power straight up melodic power rock bliss. Musically, this song could be right off the <em>Perfect Balance<\/em> record. But Jade\u2019s vocals give the song an almost sinister quality. Uncanny how she is both parts melody and aggressive, almost the punk-ish, survivalist villain here. The relentless guitar and drum groove makes sure that there is no wasted time on this track as they hurry the song along like a freight train behind schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once again, the theme of climbing out of the ashes, overcoming hardship (and evil) permeates the \u201cdefy the odds\u201d nature of this track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>\u201cAlive, I am. Seen every kind of Evil\/Been in and out of Hell\/Fresh from the Abyss\/I\u2019ll rise again\/A diamond in the darkness\/I\u2019m fresh from the Abyss\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kinda reminds me of that Metallica mantra from <em>Death Magnetic<\/em>, \u201cWhat don\u2019t kill ya\/makes ya more strong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Melodic Jade<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shifting gears, \u201c<strong>Velocity<\/strong>\u201d is a song that is all about melody. Consequently, it showcases Jade\u2019s immense vocal diversity, particularly her warmer more sensual side. Whoever wrote the melody \u2013 and even the lyrics \u2013 here is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>\u201cI kissed you on the feet\/before you floated away\/torn by your velocity\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wow. This song is gorgeous, lush, melodic, emotional, and deep. Yet still \u2026 the heavy groove still plays a part. This feels very Peter Steele, very Type O Negative. I mean, you can\u2019t tell me the chorus section doesn\u2019t resonate with said late artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>\u201cThe air that you were breathing\/Tastes like tears on my tongue\/Torn by your velocity\/Your spirit still stings\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is even a beautiful guitar solo and plenty of Hicks drum embellishment to boot. Wow, indeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chaos and Conformity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When does this end? Only 8 songs but there is so much to say. Track 7 reeks of the Balance of Power formula, again with that Hazel Jade vocal edge pushing the badass factor up a notch. \u201c<strong>Deadlands<\/strong>\u201d is a wonderfully dynamic song, the bass guitar taking a prominent role in the rhythmic crush. I love how BOP keep the vocals always in the forefront of the mix yet every instrument under that vocal line sounds equally vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ther guitar solos here shred in \u201880\u2019s metal fashion, but never compromise the song integrity. Melody and rhythm rule here. Lionel Hicks once again effortlessly pounds out fills with the flick of the wrist. His performance instrumentally on this release is noteworthy, less formulaic and more inspirational\/improvisational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When Is Our Work Completed?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Honestly, it could be argued that even after seven tracks this is one of the best melodic rock albums you will hear this year (and in many years perhaps) but there is still one more song around the disc with \u201c<strong>One More Time Around the Sun<\/strong>.\u201d Here we are treated to the softer side of Jade\u2019s voice, but she still sounds passionate and aggressive in her delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>\u201cSo far. We can only see so far\/You and I are making\/our own sweet way through this life\/We can only see so far\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The song has a symphonic quality yet remains intimate and personal. The guitar solos are so subtle yet gloriously executed. The longest track on the record \u2013 the most balladic for sure \u2013 may just be the best. I don\u2019t know, 3 months in and there is still so much to love about <em>Fresh From The Abyss<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Last Spin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only has my interest in Balance of Power been rekindled with this release, but <em>Fresh From The Abyss \u2013<\/em> along with Human Code \u2013 <em>Break the Silence<\/em> \u2013 has restored my faith in the ability of artists to stay artistic while simultaneously creating melodic hard rock\/metal that is not only well-crafted but expertly executed and recorded. Let\u2019s hope Balance of Power have more than just \u201cone more time around the sun.\u201d This is a highly recommend, fantastic sleeper of an album which may be sadly overlooked because many have long ago written these guys off. Don\u2019t make that mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1. Last Man Down (4:34)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2. Never Be Here Again (5:51)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3. Monster (4:26)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4. Rage of Ages (5:04)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">5. Abyss (4:21)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">6. Velocity (4:56)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">7. Deadlands (4:59)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">8. One More Time Around the Sun (7:09)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/massacre-records.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Massacre Records<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BalanceOfPowerBand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Balance of Power<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>King Power UK\u2019s Balance of Power put out some amazing melodic rock\/melodic metal albums in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":11790,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1020],"tags":[2568,2571,2569,2344,2570],"class_list":["post-11789","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-review","tag-balance-of-power","tag-hazel-jade-rogers","tag-lionel-hicks","tag-melodic-rock","tag-tony-ritchie"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>BALANCE OF POWER: Fresh From The Abyss - Heaven&#039;s Metal Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"UK&#039;s melodic rock\/metal Balance of Power (Hicks\/Ritchie) are back after 20 years ... 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