The core of
Balance
is no spring chickens to the New York rock scene: guitarist Bob Kulick, singer
Peppy Castro and keyboardist Doug Katsaros are all established members and have
been a big part for more than 30 years.
Balance
has released have two albums prior to this comeback album: 'Balance' in 1981 and
'In for the Count' in 1982, both on the Portrait label. Those albums gained them
a reputation as a band that should be considered as equals to acts like Toto,
Journey, Foreigner or Survivor, in style, sound and quality.
This is classic 80's melodic rock with all the virtues that are mandatory, and
they stay faithful to the traditions and sound of the period, naturally wrapped
in a modern production, but everything else is kept in the old school way of
rock.
Some might say that train left the station a long time ago; on the other hand it
is also refreshing to hear a band devoted to traditions and staying true to the
style and sound they started out with so long ago.
They do not stick out in any way, and are no better or worse than any of the
bands mentioned above. A middle of road kind of thing, and an album that should
appeal to fans of the classic sounds of the early 80's melodic rock / AOR scene.
'Equilibrium' offers eleven well crafted and produced melodic rock songs, but is
a bit too safe for me, but it is still an acceptable outing from
Balance.
