Frontiers Records
www.frontiers.it
Added February 22, 2009
Review: Craig Hartranft
You may have to reach deep into the black abyss of your mind to conjure any memory of Balance. Hailing from NYC, they were regarded as the next Journey or Foreigner back in the early 80's when the cut two, semi-notable, albums. Peppy Castro, guitarist Bob Kulick, keyboardist Doug Katsaros, drummer Chuck Burgi, and bassist Dennis Feldman formed the core back then. Nearly 30 years later only Castro, Kulick and Katsaros remain. Even though all three have been busy with various ventures, only Kulick may raise your eyebrows because of his association with Paul Stanley and KISS, among others.
I remember little from Balance's early days and there's probably good reasons why. But those reasons are lost with my memory of Balance themselves. Much could be said for their current release Equilibrium. Except for the Castro's passionate vocals (he's still got it) and Kulick's lively guitar work (he does too), there's nothing extraordinary here. This is standard melodic rock fare which is heavily, and some may say too needlessly, dependent upon an 80's motif. Yet, songs like the simple, but catchy, 'Who You Gonna Love' and the guitar driven 'Forever' are satisfying melodic rockers. The rest you can judge for yourself. Otherwise, I remain decidedly ambivalent.
Except for the Castro's passionate vocals (he's still got it) and Kulick's lively guitar work (he does too), there's nothing extraordinary on Equilibrium. This is standard melodic rock fare which is heavily, and some may say needlessly, dependent upon an 80's motif.
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