Search - Balance :: Equilibrium

A SPECTACULAR COMEBACK!!!!

J. Tweeter | Evansville, MN | 10/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After 27 years, Balance breaks the silence with what is arguably their best work to date - EQUILIBRIUM. The album sounds pretty much like the band picked up where they left off. The sound is more muscular, the arrangements more complex & interesting. "Who You Gonna Love", "Liar", and "Winner Takes All" are some of the best AOR these ears have ever heard - easily wiping the floor with the bands Balance have been compared to. My only criticisms are that Doug Katsaros (the Eric Johnson of keyboardists) is somewhat lost in the mix, although Bob Kulick's heavier guitar and the slammin' in-your-face drum sound are a welcome alteration to Balance's sound. The lead off track, "Twist Of Fate", an otherwise superb opener, is somewhat marred by what is perhaps Peppy Castro's weakest vocal performance - just on a couple lines, but it seems that perhaps another take would've nailed it. His range is not what it was 'back in the day', but I find that a welcome change as well - he sings with more balls & passion than ever & his harmonies are amazing, as they were on '81's self-titled debut and 82's In For The Count. For this listener (and mega-fan), EQUILIBRIUM is a dream come true. I hope they follow up with (at least) another release - for their 30th anniversary, perhaps? Bravo!"