This album and especially this reunion, is something I have been longing for years!...

Balance released their debut album back in 1981 through Polydor and their single “Break Away” topped  #22 on Billboard’s “Hot 100”. As the name of the band implies, Balance stood out –among others- due to the total balance among the guitars, the vocals and the keyboards. Their debut is considered by many as one of the best A.O.R. albums ever.

In 1982, the band released its second album titled “In For The Count” that was a bit harder but equally powerful as their debut. The brilliant keyboards intro by Doug Katsaros on the title track “In For The Count” is one of the best and most original keyboard intros I have ever heard. After that release, Balance started working on their next –third- album which unfortunately never was completed as the band split. In 1985, two of the members (except from Bob Kulick) worked together on the occasion of Michael Bolton’s “Everybody’s Crazy”, in which Peppy did background vocals and Doug did some additional keyboards.

It’s 2009 and one of the best A.O.R. band of the early 80’s reunites and returns to discography. Personally waiting almost one year for this release (the album was at first to be released in 2008), “Equilibrium” means the return of Balance and gives the old fans exactly what they should expect from Balance: pure, original A.O.R. exactly in the vein of the two fist albums! Peppy Castro’s voice sounds still great after 25 years, Doug’s keyboards sound just as impressive as always, while Bob Kulick’s guitar work is simply exceptional! All the compositions maintain the predictable high standards contributing to an ultra enjoyable listening, not boring or tiring at all. Songs that stand out are “Twist Of Faith”, “Breathe”, “What Have U Done”, το φανταστικό “Winners Takes All” (where Doug simply lays a true piece of keyboard art!), the catchy “Liar”, “Who You Gonna Love”, while as the highlight of all I choose the amazing “Old Friends”, a mid tempo, soulful track with an incredible melody in which Bob Kulick delivers some brilliant guitar parts.

Balance are back and the result is a complete, fantastic A.O.R. album, true to the band’s original sound and worthy of their two fist albums. It is an excellent, inspired release that offers an absolute emotion to their old fans and the opportunity to the young ones to discover this unique band and their excellent work. A “station” album, considered under the new conditions, a release that deserves the attention of all the ‘early 80’s A.O.R. sound’ fans.

“Equilibrium is a must have for all the fans of the genre…As far as the writer of this article? For sure, this is an album that he will keep listening over and over again this year!