#balanceofpower — Public Fediverse posts

Part III: Iran, Israel And The Unravelling Of America’s Middle East Strategy

Though the war has stalemated, the indirect talks between Iran and the USA have not collapsed – threatening…
#Conflict #Conflicts #War #abrahamaccords #Babal-Mandab #balanceofpower #Iran #Iranresilience #Iran-USconflict #Israel #middleeast #middleeastcrisis #regionalsecurity #StraitofHormuz #TFT #TheFridayTimes
https://www.europesays.com/3273813/

Part III: Iran, Israel And The Unravelling Of America’s Middle East Strategy https://www.byteseu.com/2400053/ #AbrahamAccords #BabAlMandab #BalanceOfPower #Conflicts #IranResilience #IranUSConflict #Israel #MiddleEast #RegionalSecurity #StraitOfHormuz #TFT #TheFridayTimes

"So Serious" is a song by the rock music group #ElectricLightOrchestra (ELO) from their 1986 album #BalanceOfPower, released in the UK as the second single from the album in 1986.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAiGDuMBI8g

"So Serious" is a song by the rock music group #ElectricLightOrchestra (ELO) from their 1986 album #BalanceOfPower, released in the UK as the second single from the album in 1986.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAiGDuMBI8g

"So Serious" is a song by the rock music group #ElectricLightOrchestra (ELO) from their 1986 album #BalanceOfPower, released in the UK as the second single from the album in 1986.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAiGDuMBI8g

"So Serious" is a song by the rock music group #ElectricLightOrchestra (ELO) from their 1986 album #BalanceOfPower, released in the UK as the second single from the album in 1986.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAiGDuMBI8g

Germany and Poland to sign a new defense deal as balance of power in Europe shifts

The Baltic countries are often referred to as the most likely target for Russia if it were to…
#Poland #Polska #PL #Europe #Europa #EU #DonaldTusk #balanceofpower #defensedeal #Germany
https://www.europesays.com/poland/12801/

https://www.europesays.com/people/119824/ Germany and Poland to sign a new defense deal as balance of power in Europe shifts #BalanceOfPower #DefenseDeal #FriedrichMerz #Germany #Poland

A Ground Invasion Of Israel By Iran And Its Proxies? https://www.byteseu.com/1890960/ #BalanceOfPower #Conflicts #ExistentialThreat #Hamas #Hezbollah #homeslider #houthis #Iran #Israel #LandInvasion #Lebanon

https://www.europesays.com/ie/348653/ Ray Dalio flashes warning signal over ‘law of the jungle’ era — protect your wealth #Arts #ArtsAndDesign #ArtsAndDesign #ArtsDesign #BalanceOfPower #DaveRamsey #Design #Éire #Entertainment #IE #Ireland #JeffBezos #RayDalio #RetirementAccount #WarrenBuffett

Ray Dalio flashes warning signal over ‘law of the jungle’ era — protect your wealth

Alhasan/Getty Images Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.…
#NewsBeep #News #Artsanddesign #Arts #ArtsAndDesign #AU #Australia #balanceofpower #DaveRamsey #Design #Entertainment #JeffBezos #RayDalio #retirementaccount #WarrenBuffett
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/494087/

@davidallengreen

"From a liberal perspective things are not only getting worse, but could get a lot worse. The illiberals know what they are doing and they are doing it well."

"Yet there is also a possibility that after this period of increasing executive power there could be an equal and opposite reaction: that there will be a nemesis to the illiberal hubris. Most people may want a balance and not an imbalance between politics and law, with the overall position not lopsided in either direction. And so the contest between power and restraint may not yet be over."

Well-reasoned analysis, as ever.

Holding on to the cautious hope expressed in your last paragraph.

#DavidAllenGreen #LegalRestraint #AttorneyGeneral #BalanceOfPower #liberalism #UKpol #USpol

@davidallengreen

"From a liberal perspective things are not only getting worse, but could get a lot worse. The illiberals know what they are doing and they are doing it well."

"Yet there is also a possibility that after this period of increasing executive power there could be an equal and opposite reaction: that there will be a nemesis to the illiberal hubris. Most people may want a balance and not an imbalance between politics and law, with the overall position not lopsided in either direction. And so the contest between power and restraint may not yet be over."

Well-reasoned analysis, as ever.

Holding on to the cautious hope expressed in your last paragraph.

#DavidAllenGreen #LegalRestraint #AttorneyGeneral #BalanceOfPower #liberalism #UKpol #USpol

@davidallengreen

"From a liberal perspective things are not only getting worse, but could get a lot worse. The illiberals know what they are doing and they are doing it well."

"Yet there is also a possibility that after this period of increasing executive power there could be an equal and opposite reaction: that there will be a nemesis to the illiberal hubris. Most people may want a balance and not an imbalance between politics and law, with the overall position not lopsided in either direction. And so the contest between power and restraint may not yet be over."

Well-reasoned analysis, as ever.

Holding on to the cautious hope expressed in your last paragraph.

#DavidAllenGreen #LegalRestraint #AttorneyGeneral #BalanceOfPower #liberalism #UKpol #USpol

@davidallengreen

"From a liberal perspective things are not only getting worse, but could get a lot worse. The illiberals know what they are doing and they are doing it well."

"Yet there is also a possibility that after this period of increasing executive power there could be an equal and opposite reaction: that there will be a nemesis to the illiberal hubris. Most people may want a balance and not an imbalance between politics and law, with the overall position not lopsided in either direction. And so the contest between power and restraint may not yet be over."

Well-reasoned analysis, as ever.

Holding on to the cautious hope expressed in your last paragraph.

#DavidAllenGreen #LegalRestraint #AttorneyGeneral #BalanceOfPower #liberalism #UKpol #USpol

"James Obrien Goes Ballistic On The Press For Treating Trump Like a King during UK visit."

(Via Balance of Power) #BalanceOfPower #jamesobrien
https://youtube.com/watch?v=BK1L3f1Cn0U

"James Obrien Goes Ballistic On The Press For Treating Trump Like a King during UK visit."

(Via Balance of Power) #BalanceOfPower #jamesobrien
https://youtube.com/watch?v=BK1L3f1Cn0U

"James Obrien Goes Ballistic On The Press For Treating Trump Like a King during UK visit."

(Via Balance of Power) #BalanceOfPower #jamesobrien
https://youtube.com/watch?v=BK1L3f1Cn0U

Balance of Power for DOS

https://youtu.be/knru5wtKOJw?si=Vv__UBOSkktYAqOB

#BalanceofPower #DOS #MSDOS #Simulation #Politics #ColdWar #MindscapeInc #Mindscape

Balance of Power for DOS

https://youtu.be/knru5wtKOJw?si=Vv__UBOSkktYAqOB

#BalanceofPower #DOS #MSDOS #Simulation #Politics #ColdWar #MindscapeInc #Mindscape

I have written to you copiously about my concerns about the #balanceofpower and how this #White House has usurped too much. More importantly, I’ve written to you about my concerns about #Congress not functioning as an appropriate counterweight and holding the #Executive to account. 4/7

Power Sharing Parliament. Good for Aussie citizens. Research shows: more accountability, more transparency, more discussions and reviews.
Vote Independents & Minor Parties, and take back Power from the 2 Big Parties who dont care about regular Aussies.

https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/what-a-power-sharing-parliament-may-hold/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-a-power-sharing-parliament-may-hold

#australia #government #election #election2025 #abuseofpower #PeoplePowerParty #balanceofpower #vote #inequality #banking #financialmarkets #corruption #SaveAustralia #news #business #democracy

Power Sharing Parliament. Good for Aussie citizens. Research shows: more accountability, more transparency, more discussions and reviews.
Vote Independents & Minor Parties, and take back Power from the 2 Big Parties who dont care about regular Aussies.

https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/what-a-power-sharing-parliament-may-hold/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-a-power-sharing-parliament-may-hold

#australia #government #election #election2025 #abuseofpower #PeoplePowerParty #balanceofpower #vote #inequality #banking #financialmarkets #corruption #SaveAustralia #news #business #democracy

Power Sharing Parliament. Good for Aussie citizens. Research shows: more accountability, more transparency, more discussions and reviews.
Vote Independents & Minor Parties, and take back Power from the 2 Big Parties who dont care about regular Aussies.

https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/what-a-power-sharing-parliament-may-hold/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-a-power-sharing-parliament-may-hold

#australia #government #election #election2025 #abuseofpower #PeoplePowerParty #balanceofpower #vote #inequality #banking #financialmarkets #corruption #SaveAustralia #news #business #democracy

Balance of Power Canberra - Vote Independent! Vote for Representation ! Vote for Change ! To get a TRUE Balance of Power which REPRESENTS the people then Vote for Minor Parties and Independents.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nrwg1iWIhmk&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD
_____
#australia #pnbank #banks #corruption #election2025 #balanceofpower #australia #independents #government #publicsector #senatorgrennick #senatorphanson #representation #fyp #business

Balance of Power Canberra - Vote Independent! Vote for Representation ! Vote for Change ! To get a TRUE Balance of Power which REPRESENTS the people then Vote for Minor Parties and Independents.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nrwg1iWIhmk&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD
_____
#australia #pnbank #banks #corruption #election2025 #balanceofpower #australia #independents #government #publicsector #senatorgrennick #senatorphanson #representation #fyp #business

Balance of Power Canberra - Vote Independent! Vote for Representation ! Vote for Change ! To get a TRUE Balance of Power which REPRESENTS the people then Vote for Minor Parties and Independents.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nrwg1iWIhmk&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD
_____
#australia #pnbank #banks #corruption #election2025 #balanceofpower #australia #independents #government #publicsector #senatorgrennick #senatorphanson #representation #fyp #business

#magicthegathering #mtg #BalanceofPower #QuanXuejun

#magicthegathering #mtg #BalanceofPower #QuanXuejun

I do not believe this #WhiteHouse respects the #balanceofpower between the three branches. Many of my letters regarding the sanctity of your very seat and the #Congress’s power. I value that balance of power greatly. 3/8

NYTimes - Judge Blocks Trump’s Funding Freeze, Saying White House Put Itself ‘Above Congress’ - The ruling extended an order barring the Trump administration from withholding billions in congressionally approved funds to states. The judge said that the lawsuit came down to a case of executive overreach. #USPol #politics #BalanceOfPower #Congress

NYTimes - Judge Blocks Trump’s Funding Freeze, Saying White House Put Itself ‘Above Congress’ - The ruling extended an order barring the Trump administration from withholding billions in congressionally approved funds to states. The judge said that the lawsuit came down to a case of executive overreach. #USPol #politics #BalanceOfPower #Congress

NYTimes - Judge Blocks Trump’s Funding Freeze, Saying White House Put Itself ‘Above Congress’ - The ruling extended an order barring the Trump administration from withholding billions in congressionally approved funds to states. The judge said that the lawsuit came down to a case of executive overreach. #USPol #politics #BalanceOfPower #Congress

NYTimes - Judge Blocks Trump’s Funding Freeze, Saying White House Put Itself ‘Above Congress’ - The ruling extended an order barring the Trump administration from withholding billions in congressionally approved funds to states. The judge said that the lawsuit came down to a case of executive overreach. #USPol #politics #BalanceOfPower #Congress

How you’ll know if we descend into a ‘presidential dictatorship’ - “…if Trump successfully defies the courts, the only remaining obstacle to dictatorship will be public revulsion, national popular protest, and the hope that such a reaction would cause Trump to retreat and, at long last, recall some fraction of the Republican Party to its constitutional duty.” Via SLATE. #Coup #AmericanCoup #Authoritarianism #Dictatorship #Democracy #BalanceOfPower #Government #Governing #Politics #USPolitics

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/02/trump-news-are-we-in-dictatorship-yet.html

How you’ll know if we descend into a ‘presidential dictatorship’ - “…if Trump successfully defies the courts, the only remaining obstacle to dictatorship will be public revulsion, national popular protest, and the hope that such a reaction would cause Trump to retreat and, at long last, recall some fraction of the Republican Party to its constitutional duty.” Via SLATE. #Coup #AmericanCoup #Authoritarianism #Dictatorship #Democracy #BalanceOfPower #Government #Governing #Politics #USPolitics

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/02/trump-news-are-we-in-dictatorship-yet.html

How you’ll know if we descend into a ‘presidential dictatorship’ - “…if Trump successfully defies the courts, the only remaining obstacle to dictatorship will be public revulsion, national popular protest, and the hope that such a reaction would cause Trump to retreat and, at long last, recall some fraction of the Republican Party to its constitutional duty.” Via SLATE. #Coup #AmericanCoup #Authoritarianism #Dictatorship #Democracy #BalanceOfPower #Government #Governing #Politics #USPolitics

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/02/trump-news-are-we-in-dictatorship-yet.html

How you’ll know if we descend into a ‘presidential dictatorship’ - “…if Trump successfully defies the courts, the only remaining obstacle to dictatorship will be public revulsion, national popular protest, and the hope that such a reaction would cause Trump to retreat and, at long last, recall some fraction of the Republican Party to its constitutional duty.” Via SLATE. #Coup #AmericanCoup #Authoritarianism #Dictatorship #Democracy #BalanceOfPower #Government #Governing #Politics #USPolitics

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/02/trump-news-are-we-in-dictatorship-yet.html

#SamAltman on #AGI: »It does seem like the #balanceofpower between #capital and #labor could easily get messed up, and this may require early intervention.« https://blog.samaltman.com/three-observations?eicker.news #tech #media

#SamAltman on #AGI: »It does seem like the #balanceofpower between #capital and #labor could easily get messed up, and this may require early intervention.« https://blog.samaltman.com/three-observations?eicker.news #tech #media

#SamAltman on #AGI: »It does seem like the #balanceofpower between #capital and #labor could easily get messed up, and this may require early intervention.« https://blog.samaltman.com/three-observations?eicker.news #tech #media

#SamAltman on #AGI: »It does seem like the #balanceofpower between #capital and #labor could easily get messed up, and this may require early intervention.« https://blog.samaltman.com/three-observations?eicker.news #tech #media

Richard Wrangham und die Imbalance-of-Power Hypothesis

Aka: Warum wir Menschen weiterhin Krieg haben / Warum wir weiterhin einander wechselseitig töten

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RDsaWccTgo

#BalanceOfPower #Aristocracy #Democracy

Richard Wrangham und die Imbalance-of-Power Hypothesis

Aka: Warum wir Menschen weiterhin Krieg haben / Warum wir weiterhin einander wechselseitig töten

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RDsaWccTgo

#BalanceOfPower #Aristocracy #Democracy

Richard Wrangham und die Imbalance-of-Power Hypothesis

Aka: Warum wir Menschen weiterhin Krieg haben / Warum wir weiterhin einander wechselseitig töten

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RDsaWccTgo

#BalanceOfPower #Aristocracy #Democracy

The takeover continues unabated…Trump wants an executive branch that is not BALANCED with other constitutional arms of government, he wants a dominant, imperial executive that will bend all parts of government to his whims - and he’s well on the way.

How Trump Plans to Seize the Power of the Purse From Congress https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-impoundment-appropriations-congress-budget #USPolitics #politics #BalanceOfPower #ExecutiveBranch #Autocracy #Governance

The takeover continues unabated…Trump wants an executive branch that is not BALANCED with other constitutional arms of government, he wants a dominant, imperial executive that will bend all parts of government to his whims - and he’s well on the way.

How Trump Plans to Seize the Power of the Purse From Congress https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-impoundment-appropriations-congress-budget #USPolitics #politics #BalanceOfPower #ExecutiveBranch #Autocracy #Governance

The takeover continues unabated…Trump wants an executive branch that is not BALANCED with other constitutional arms of government, he wants a dominant, imperial executive that will bend all parts of government to his whims - and he’s well on the way.

How Trump Plans to Seize the Power of the Purse From Congress https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-impoundment-appropriations-congress-budget #USPolitics #politics #BalanceOfPower #ExecutiveBranch #Autocracy #Governance

The takeover continues unabated…Trump wants an executive branch that is not BALANCED with other constitutional arms of government, he wants a dominant, imperial executive that will bend all parts of government to his whims - and he’s well on the way.

How Trump Plans to Seize the Power of the Purse From Congress https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-impoundment-appropriations-congress-budget #USPolitics #politics #BalanceOfPower #ExecutiveBranch #Autocracy #Governance

Wait... Has anyone ever done a #SpeedRun of #StarFlight, or for that matter a slow run of #BalanceOfPower? If not, why not? #Retrogaming

Wait... Has anyone ever done a #SpeedRun of #StarFlight, or for that matter a slow run of #BalanceOfPower? If not, why not? #Retrogaming

Wait... Has anyone ever done a #SpeedRun of #StarFlight, or for that matter a slow run of #BalanceOfPower? If not, why not? #Retrogaming

Wait... Has anyone ever done a #SpeedRun of #StarFlight, or for that matter a slow run of #BalanceOfPower? If not, why not? #Retrogaming

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#MetalInjection
What Was The Best Release Of April 2024?
April 2024 was loaded with a lot of excellent releases!

https://metalinjection.net/news/poll/what-was-the-best-release-of-april-2024

#HumanoidAcidMammoth #SupersonicMegafaunaCollision #ACxDC #GOT #AtræBilis #Aumicide #Attacker #TheGodParticle #BalanceOfPower #FreshFromTheAbyss #BeneathTheBlazingAbyss #Benighted #Ekbom #Darkthrone #ItBeckonsUsAll #Dayseeker #Replica #Deicide #BanishedBySin #Disbelief #KillingKarma #Dool #TheShapeOfFluidity #Dvne #Voidkind #Eidola

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#MetalInjection
What Was The Best Release Of April 2024?
April 2024 was loaded with a lot of excellent releases!

https://metalinjection.net/news/poll/what-was-the-best-release-of-april-2024

#HumanoidAcidMammoth #SupersonicMegafaunaCollision #ACxDC #GOT #AtræBilis #Aumicide #Attacker #TheGodParticle #BalanceOfPower #FreshFromTheAbyss #BeneathTheBlazingAbyss #Benighted #Ekbom #Darkthrone #ItBeckonsUsAll #Dayseeker #Replica #Deicide #BanishedBySin #Disbelief #KillingKarma #Dool #TheShapeOfFluidity #Dvne #Voidkind #Eidola

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#MetalInjection
What Was The Best Release Of April 2024?
April 2024 was loaded with a lot of excellent releases!

https://metalinjection.net/news/poll/what-was-the-best-release-of-april-2024

#HumanoidAcidMammoth #SupersonicMegafaunaCollision #ACxDC #GOT #AtræBilis #Aumicide #Attacker #TheGodParticle #BalanceOfPower #FreshFromTheAbyss #BeneathTheBlazingAbyss #Benighted #Ekbom #Darkthrone #ItBeckonsUsAll #Dayseeker #Replica #Deicide #BanishedBySin #Disbelief #KillingKarma #Dool #TheShapeOfFluidity #Dvne #Voidkind #Eidola

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#MetalInjection
What Was The Best Release Of April 2024?
April 2024 was loaded with a lot of excellent releases!

https://metalinjection.net/news/poll/what-was-the-best-release-of-april-2024

#HumanoidAcidMammoth #SupersonicMegafaunaCollision #ACxDC #GOT #AtræBilis #Aumicide #Attacker #TheGodParticle #BalanceOfPower #FreshFromTheAbyss #BeneathTheBlazingAbyss #Benighted #Ekbom #Darkthrone #ItBeckonsUsAll #Dayseeker #Replica #Deicide #BanishedBySin #Disbelief #KillingKarma #Dool #TheShapeOfFluidity #Dvne #Voidkind #Eidola

Balance of Power – Fresh from the Abyss Review

By Steel Druhm

It’s strange when a band you like goes into an extended period of inactivity. You miss them for the first few years and get impatient for new material. After 4-5 years though, you move on and eventually give up on hearing more from them. Stranger still is when a band that put you through all that abruptly returns some 20 years later with a very different sound. This is the experience I’ve had with the U.K.s Balance of Power. Active in the late 90s as a slick, hook-oriented power-prog outfit, they introduced the world to the stellar vocals of Lance King. On albums like Book of Secret and Ten More Tales, they showcased power-prog at its most sticky and anthemic. 2003s Heathen Machine was a much darker, introspective release with heavy nods to Pink Floyd and John K replaced did a great job replacing Mr. King. Then they went radio silent. 20-plus years later the band pops back up with an overhauled lineup and another new vocalist, this time Hazel Jade Rogers. Will their out-of-the-blue 6th album be a happy surprise for whatever fans are still out there? Let’s find out.

The core of the sound on Fresh from the Abyss is only occasionally recognizable as Balance of Power, and the overall style is much more radio-friendly and verging on hard/alt-rock. If I heard this album without context I doubt I would think of Balance of Power at all. Opener “Last Man Down” has some of the classic BoP charm in its DNA and there are hints of their classic style if you listen closely, but it reads more like early aughts alt-rock with Hazel Jade Rogers roaring gruffly over simple riffs and slightly cheesy keys. It’s inoffensive and mildly interesting but not much more. “Never Be Here Again” is an overwrought rocker that could have been on any early Sirenia album and fit in. The chorus sticks decently but it isn’t the kind of song I need to hear much of again. “Monster” is pure Cheese Whiz desperately trying to be accessible but coming across as rather cringey and dated.

There are a few decent songs here that show that all hope is not lost. “Abyss” is way heavier than what comes before, rocking hard and riding free with great urgency as Hazel explores the more extreme edges of her vocal range to good effect. It’s a solid song with balls and it partially redeems the album for its somnambulant first half. “Velocity” is an odd but endearing cut that starts off dark and Gothy before unveiling a dreamy, emotional chorus that sticks the landing. It reminds me of the stuff Autumn was churning out in their Altitude era and that’s a compliment. “Deadlands” is a decently spirited that reminds me a lot of 90s Metal Church at times. Hazel nails her vocals here and sells the song effectively. Closer “One More Time Around the Sun” is overlong at 7 minutes, but there’s a lot to like with its slow-burning energy which reminds me Royal Thunder. In fact, I’m reminded of them multiple times across the album, though a watered-down version of their more impactful style.

Hazel Jade Roger is a talented singer with a fairly broad and versatile range. When she pushes her vocals toward a more edgy, harsh delivery she shines and commands attention. Her softer delivery on “Velocity” is also quite captivating. I still prefer both Lance King and John K to her but there’s no denying her abilities. The music behind Hazel is a bit less inspired. While Balance of Power always aimed at catchy, earwormy songs, there was always a regal grandeur to what they did. That feeling of scope is all but gone on the new material. A lot of the songs feel like dated alt or nu compositions and some of it is pretty awkward. It wasn’t until the fourth song that I felt there was a chance the album could be salvaged, and that’s not a great sign. That’s not because the band lacks talent. New guitarists Chris Masimore and Stoney Wagner have chops. It’s the generic nature of the writing that causes the issues (they’ve both been replaced since recording the album at any rate). Keyboardist Julien Spreutels is sometimes a bigger factor than the guitar battery, and his frenetic runs are interesting but some of his playing is very cheesy and overweening. A mixed bag of execution across the boards.

After 20-odd years moldering in the grave, I can’t say I expected great things from Fresh from the Abyss. Between hardly sounding like the Balance of Power of old and the dated feel of some of the songs, there are significant problems that short-circuit my enjoyment. I’d recommend folks check out their Ten More Tales or Heathen Machine albums instead if you want a proper Balance. In a nutshell: not as fresh as advertised.

Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Massacre
Website: facebook.com/balanceofpowerband
Releases Worldwide: April 19th, 2024

#25 #2024 #Apr24 #BalanceOfPower #FreshFromTheAbyss #MassacreRecords #PowerMetal #ProgressiveMetal #Review #Reviews #RoyalThunder #UKMetal

Balance of Power – Fresh from the Abyss Review

By Steel Druhm

It’s strange when a band you like goes into an extended period of inactivity. You miss them for the first few years and get impatient for new material. After 4-5 years though, you move on and eventually give up on hearing more from them. Stranger still is when a band that put you through all that abruptly returns some 20 years later with a very different sound. This is the experience I’ve had with the U.K.s Balance of Power. Active in the late 90s as a slick, hook-oriented power-prog outfit, they introduced the world to the stellar vocals of Lance King. On albums like Book of Secret and Ten More Tales, they showcased power-prog at its most sticky and anthemic. 2003s Heathen Machine was a much darker, introspective release with heavy nods to Pink Floyd and John K replaced did a great job replacing Mr. King. Then they went radio silent. 20-plus years later the band pops back up with an overhauled lineup and another new vocalist, this time Hazel Jade Rogers. Will their out-of-the-blue 6th album be a happy surprise for whatever fans are still out there? Let’s find out.

The core of the sound on Fresh from the Abyss is only occasionally recognizable as Balance of Power, and the overall style is much more radio-friendly and verging on hard/alt-rock. If I heard this album without context I doubt I would think of Balance of Power at all. Opener “Last Man Down” has some of the classic BoP charm in its DNA and there are hints of their classic style if you listen closely, but it reads more like early aughts alt-rock with Hazel Jade Rogers roaring gruffly over simple riffs and slightly cheesy keys. It’s inoffensive and mildly interesting but not much more. “Never Be Here Again” is an overwrought rocker that could have been on any early Sirenia album and fit in. The chorus sticks decently but it isn’t the kind of song I need to hear much of again. “Monster” is pure Cheese Whiz desperately trying to be accessible but coming across as rather cringey and dated.

There are a few decent songs here that show that all hope is not lost. “Abyss” is way heavier than what comes before, rocking hard and riding free with great urgency as Hazel explores the more extreme edges of her vocal range to good effect. It’s a solid song with balls and it partially redeems the album for its somnambulant first half. “Velocity” is an odd but endearing cut that starts off dark and Gothy before unveiling a dreamy, emotional chorus that sticks the landing. It reminds me of the stuff Autumn was churning out in their Altitude era and that’s a compliment. “Deadlands” is a decently spirited that reminds me a lot of 90s Metal Church at times. Hazel nails her vocals here and sells the song effectively. Closer “One More Time Around the Sun” is overlong at 7 minutes, but there’s a lot to like with its slow-burning energy which reminds me Royal Thunder. In fact, I’m reminded of them multiple times across the album, though a watered-down version of their more impactful style.

Hazel Jade Roger is a talented singer with a fairly broad and versatile range. When she pushes her vocals toward a more edgy, harsh delivery she shines and commands attention. Her softer delivery on “Velocity” is also quite captivating. I still prefer both Lance King and John K to her but there’s no denying her abilities. The music behind Hazel is a bit less inspired. While Balance of Power always aimed at catchy, earwormy songs, there was always a regal grandeur to what they did. That feeling of scope is all but gone on the new material. A lot of the songs feel like dated alt or nu compositions and some of it is pretty awkward. It wasn’t until the fourth song that I felt there was a chance the album could be salvaged, and that’s not a great sign. That’s not because the band lacks talent. New guitarists Chris Masimore and Stoney Wagner have chops. It’s the generic nature of the writing that causes the issues (they’ve both been replaced since recording the album at any rate). Keyboardist Julien Spreutels is sometimes a bigger factor than the guitar battery, and his frenetic runs are interesting but some of his playing is very cheesy and overweening. A mixed bag of execution across the boards.

After 20-odd years moldering in the grave, I can’t say I expected great things from Fresh from the Abyss. Between hardly sounding like the Balance of Power of old and the dated feel of some of the songs, there are significant problems that short-circuit my enjoyment. I’d recommend folks check out their Ten More Tales or Heathen Machine albums instead if you want a proper Balance. In a nutshell: not as fresh as advertised.

Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Massacre
Website: facebook.com/balanceofpowerband
Releases Worldwide: April 19th, 2024

#25 #2024 #Apr24 #BalanceOfPower #FreshFromTheAbyss #MassacreRecords #PowerMetal #ProgressiveMetal #Review #Reviews #RoyalThunder #UKMetal

Had never heard of #Yuzu. That said, source for #Starflight & #BalanceOfPower would be nice.