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Album Details
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· Produced By: Lionel Hicks
· Running Time: 56.41
· Release Date: Out Now
· Released: World
· Genre: Melodic Metal
· LabelLink: DCA Recordings
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Artist Bio
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Lionel Hicks – Drums
John K. – Vocals
Tony Ritchie – Bass
Pete Southern – Guitar
The Story so far¼.
Balance Of Power was started in 1995 with a handful of well-known London area rockers. Their first album, When the World Falls Down, was released the following year by Pony Canyon for Japan. After the success of that album, Pony Canyon became quite eager for the band to create a follow-up, but began putting pressure on the band regarding Tony Ritchie's vocal style. They wanted Balance Of Power to have a more dynamic singer with a greater range. After the first audition with Lance King there was no decision to be made -- he was the ideal candidate and he was in. Tony continued to fulfill the role of songwriter.
About this time, guitarist Paul Curtis was becoming fed up with life in London, and decided it was time for him to retire from music completely. Tony Ritchie and Lionel Hicks had both previously worked with a guitarist by the name of Pete Southern. They knew Pete would be the perfect fit for Balance Of Power and brought him in to take Paul's place.
For Balance Of Power's second release Book of Secrets, inspiration was taken from “The Bible Code,” a book by Michael Drosnin. The album was released in 1998 and received rave reviews from all over Europe and Japan. The songs “Seven Days into Nevermore”and “Miracles and Dreams” were in heavy rotation on all of the syndicated metal shows in Europe and Asia.
Following up on the success of Book of Secrets, Balance Of Power returned to the studio and recorded their next album, Ten More Tales of Grand Illusion, released in 1999. Balance Of Power began their first ever tour to back Ten More Tales later that year. They played 19 shows in 21 days, finally able to put to rest rumors that they were just a studio band. The tour was deemed the most successful metal tour in Germany over the past 2-3 years, with sold out venues across the country.
Work began immediately on their fourth album, titled Perfect Balance, which was released to rave reviews in 2001.This album quickly became the favorite of Balance Of Power fans everywhere with it's mix of incredible vocals and progressive guitar work. Balance Of Power played their first US tour date in November at Prog Power II in Atlanta alongside ARK, EVERGREY, KAMELOT, and SYMPHONY X. In 2002 they also played for the first time at Bloodstock Festival in England. Shortly after the show, it was decided it would be in everyone's best interest for them to part company with singer Lance King.
Work began on the album Heathen Machine, even though no replacement for Lance had been found. By the time the vocal tracks needed to be laid down, a few names were being tossed around as a suitable replacements for Lance. Tony and Lionel had heard through a mutual friend that John K of the band Biomechanical was interested in the vacant slot. Time was scheduled for him to lay down his ideas, and as soon as John set in, all agreed he was the perfect candidate for the job; recording of the vocals started that day.
Heathen Machine is now being widely hailed as the best album of the band's career, with Balance Of Power's excellent musicianship, extraordinary vocals and great song writing being compared to QUEENSRYCHE's masterpiece, Operation Mindcrime. Among the accolades the band has recently received include:
- Album Of The Month in German metal bible Rock Hard
- A rating of 11 out of 12 points in leading European metal magazine Heavy Oder Was?!
- Cover story of leading prog/power metal publication Power Packer Zine
- Rating of 8.5/10 points in the top Brazilian metal publication, Roadie Crew magazine.
- Rating of 8.5/10 points in the leading North American metal publication, Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles
FEEL THE POWER....BALANCE OF POWER!
Heathen Machine can be purchased directly through DCA Recordings at: www.dcarecordings.com/shop.htm
Or Order From: www.centurymedia.com and www.amazon.com
Band Links: www.dcarecordings.com and www.balance-of-power.com
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