Album Review: Balance of Power – Fresh From The Abyss (Massacre Records)

Balance of Power, the melodic metal and progressive rock band, is back with a brand-new album ‘Fresh from the Abyss’. It will be released on April 19th, 2024, via Massacre Records.

With a strong overall anthemic sound, Balance of Power have an old-school rock vibe at times, but mark themselves out as something more unique with their highly impressive progressive ways. Fresh from the Abyss is an apt title, as it comes from the same dark corners of so many rock and metal bands before, but has a freshness that makes it more interesting.

Most will find their interest well and truly piqued by the very strong opener, Last Man Down. Balance of Power showcasing a robust instrumental section, but really coming to life with the commanding vocals. An easy track to head-bang to, but listen deeper, and you’ll be rewarded with exhilarating layers. No further proof needed then the extravagant guitar soloing that comes in the latter half.

They’re more than just a groovy progressive rock and metal band though, they have melody… lots of melody. Proof coming in the form of the epic sounding Never Be Here Again. Before we get some the album’s gnarliest sounding riffs and a singalong chorus with Monster. Balance of Power using every second of their time to make the listener take note.

Which continues to be a very easy thing to do when they’re delivering bangers like Rage of Ages, Abyss, and Velocity. Across these three tracks the band delivers a cacophony of pretty melodies, chunky riffs, emphatic hooks, thumping beats, and serene vocals. It’s quite amazing just how quickly this album flies by, such is the fun being had with Balance of Power.

What else? What else can they offer? Well, how about something with speed and catchiness? Deadlands is a heart-racing listen with a ton of infectious quality about it. Or how about something with touching melody and a sense of grandeur not heard so far? The finale of One More Time Around the Sun has all of that, and so much more.

Which is a bit of an album theme. On the surface, Fresh from the Abyss is thoroughly enjoyable as the sum of all its parts. Yet, it has layers upon layers of detail that focus the mind and keep things exciting right to the very end. This is what makes the album so very memorable.

Balance of Power – Fresh from the Abyss Track Listing:

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

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