Search - Balance of Power :: Ten More Tales

Balance of Power: Perfect Name For This Band

Joe White | Layton, Utah United States | 05/19/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Three stars? Okay, maybe three and one-half stars.The full name of this album is "Ten More Tales of Grand Illusion".Ten interesting "tales", indeed.Imagine a band who's vocalist is in the Brad Delp (Boston)/Steve Perry (Journey)/Dennis DeYoung (Styx) vein. Okay, now imagine that same vocalist singing vocal melodies that are reminiscent of Boston, Journey and Queensryche. Are you with me so far? Now add a guitar that reminds me of Dokken at their heaviest -- times two -- and even a bit like Iced Earth's (guitars). Now throw in a keyboard in the Kamelot style and sound. This is Balance of Power.It is an interesting combination of music styles: arena rock plus power metal with progressive tendencies. I've never heard a band quite like Balance of Power. Ten More Tales... isn't a great cd but it is solid album and a satisfying listen. The songs are all good and catchy and the production is perfect. The song "Day Breaker" is equal parts Journey and Dokken (but heavier), "Prisoner of Pride" is Boston meets Iced Earth and "Savage Tears" sounds like Empire-era Queensryche coupled with recent Kamelot. I would think that if you are a fan of arena rock bands such as Boston and Journey and a fan of power metal (like Kamelot) and progressive metal (Queensryche), that this cd is for you."

Commercial Progressive Metal, what a concept!

galactic_cowboy | Pahrump, NV United States | 06/01/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The review that Joe White gave was dead on, yet for all the reasons he gave, I would give it 4 to 4½ stars! The only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars, is because the songs aren't original enough to stand out, yet they are very enjoyable to listen to!The best songs are "Daybreaker", "Savage Tears", and "Ten More Tales". This is their 3rd CD, and I would suggest that you try to find their 2nd CD, "Book of Secrets", which has a bit more of the progressive rock feel to it, since it uses a bit more keyboards, and voice-over narration.Someone else reviewed their 1st CD, "When The World Falls Down", giving it 5 stars. While personal tastes vary, these 2 are better than the 1st, by about 1 star each. The vocalist for the 1st CD is different, and he doesn't have the range of Lance King. He's still pretty good, but I prefer Lance's vocals. The guitars aren't as full as on Ten More Tales.What I really like about this CD, and this band, is that they have somehow found a niche, using unoriginal styles, to create an original sound! With them, the melody is the key. If you're familiar with Narnia (with better songwriting, and minus the Yngwie style leads!), then you'll get an idea of what these guys sound like. Definitely worth adding to your collection!"

Superb blend of melody and heavyness

Mr. S. J. Shuttlewood | England | 11/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had only heard of this band recently and that they are from the uk which is where i am from, so that was nice to know. relatively unknown here, they have success in asia and europe. the singer sounds like geoff tate often and the musicianship and songwriting is excellent. there is plenty of plam muting but also softer moments. I much prefer this to Dream Theatre or Symphony X. Buy this album !"