Customer Reviews

Heathen Machine

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Honestly, take away the first two songs and you've got a solid five star album. Not that the first two tracks are bad. They're probably 4 stars. Balance of Power has always been good, especially on Perfect Balance but this album is unbelievable. Heathen Machine is a little less Power and a little more straight Melodic Metal than previous releases and that's all to the better. There's enough good Power Metal bands around and we could always use more good Melodic Metal bands and Balance of Power is developing into one of the best.

Balance of Power has a new singer named John something or other, who on a couple tracks, reminds me of, don't laugh, Queensryche's Geoff Tate.

If you like good heavy and melodic metal, dn't hesitate, pick this jewel up. You won't be sorry.

**** - FOUR STARS
=================

This is a very impressive release. It's powerful, and very melodic in nature. This band almost sounds like a mixture of Queensryche / Maiden. I enjoyed every minute of "Heathen Machine". I'm just angry that I never bought it sooner.

IMPRESSIVE METAL. ALL METAL FANS BUY THIS....

I like Sym X, TNT, anything by DC Cooper, anything by Toni Harnell (westworld, starbreaker), anything by Jorn Lande, and I like this album. I have the previous BOP albums with Lance King and like them very much. This album took a few turns to grow on me (it's a little dark) but after some time I found it great. The front and middle of this project is awesome while it dwindles a little on the back half. Let me tell you though, tracks 1, 4,and 5 are the best I have heard ever since Savatage's ... album is escaping me right now... oh.. Power of the Night album (crack my cranium and stuck on you stuff). The production is not as clean as on previous albums, but BOP has clearly straight lined their line up and come up with awesome potential. Maybe next time they'll select a happier subject for their album... I hope so.

Honestly, take away the first two songs and you've got a solid five star album. Not that the first two tracks are bad. They're probably 4 stars. Balance of Power has always been good, especially on Perfect Balance but this album is unbelievable. Heathen Machine is a little less Power and a little more straight Melodic Metal than previous releases and that's all to the better. There's enough good Power Metal bands around and we could always use more good Melodic Metal bands and Balance of Power is developing into one of the best.

Balance of Power has a new singer named John something or other, who on a couple tracks, reminds me of, don't laugh, Queensryche's Geoff Tate.

If you like good heavy and melodic metal, don't hesitate, pick this jewel up. You won't be sorry.

I ordered this from Amazon along with all but their first album as I consider myself to be a huge fan of BOP from the moment I heard the song Stranger Days (To Come) from the Book Of Secrets album that featured vocal legend Lance King, unfortunately for me and I suspect for them also, Lance was either fired or left of his own accord over some kind of issue within the band. What he had done as vocalist though is give BOP their best 3 albums in my opinion, he turned their fortune around when he became vocalist on their 2nd and his debut, Book Of Secrets and they simply just improved with each release after, Ten More Tales Of Grand Illusion and Perfect Balance, the latter being my favourite. Shame that it was to be Lance Kings final album with BOP, next release being Heathen Machine with a new singer who's name I can't remember probably due to the fact that I believe he just cannot step up to the challenge of replacing a singer in the calibre of Lance King. Also I think the quality of the songs also suffers on this cd, just sounds all wrong, not a natural successor to Perfect Balance at all. It's as if they started from scratch, maybe trying to reinvent themselves or perhaps just to make a statement about having a new singer. Now I'm not saying that the new boy can't sing, what I'm saying is, in my opinion, he just can't follow Lance King and continue along the path that they were on with him.

For me BOP have had their greatest moment and as far as I'm aware they have not released any more new material since Heathen Machine other than Heathenology which is a best of compilation.

I simply cannot recommend Heathen Machine to anybody, whether you're new to BOP or a fan already but not got this yet. My advice is DO NOT get this, if you want BOP at their best, if you don't already have them, go and buy Book Of Secrets, Ten More Tales and Perfect Balance.

I must say that this cd is Much heavier than thier previous works. Yes Lance King departed, but the new singer does the job well, He does sound like Geoff Tate which is not a "BAD" thing. If you asked me I wish Queensryche would do something as heavy as this band. The production is top notch, bass is kicking, guitars loud and clear, vox come through loud and clear also. if you like Ryche, Dream Theater, Symphony X, Fates Warning etc. you'll love this cd.

So sad to see Lance King go but new singer makes up for it.This is the heavist of the BOP cd's,more progressive and surprisingly good.Recomended!!!

I've heard this bands previous releases.Ten More Tales and A Perfect Balance.Not bad stuff.Always at least 1 or 2 kick a$$ tracks.
But one thing always bothered me.They kinda lingered between AOR and Power Metal.And the singer was'nt right 4The band.
Looks like I was'nt the only one who thought that because this album sees the debut of John K on vocals.And like the previous reviewer stated,he sounds remarkably like Geoff Tate.
And gone are the attempts at Pop/Metal.This is a Heavy Metal record.A well written and performed one.The actual promo sticker on the CD pacaging says"The follow up to Empire". Strange thing to say I thought,this is'nt Queensryche?
But after listening to it,you'll see that while the guy does sound like Geoff,the music is still Balance of Power.With a heavier edge.And combined they've created a sound of their own.
I think all fans of Queensryche,Dream Theater and even Savatage will find this to be an excellent album.
Best tracks are Heathen Machine,No Place Like Home,The Eyes of the World and Necessary Evil,a killer closing to the disc.
I've put this in my Top 10 of 2003,so you should put it in your stereo.Enjoy.

Being a big fan of BOP, I was saddened to hear that Lance King left the band! I read some really good reviews of this album, so I gave it a shot anyway. Heathen Machine turnes out to be a really good prog/power metal album. BOP has maintained their signature sound, but have become a little heavier! The new vocalist, John K., does a great job replacing Lance! If you like Geoff Tate vocals, then you'll have no problem warming up to John K.'s style! The album is very consistent, so there are no filler songs. If you are a fan of prog/power, then Heathen Machine is well worth the new price! Stay heavy...

Balance of Power nous presente son 5 ieme album et un nouveau chanteur en John K ,
Cet album confirme l'énorme potentiel de ce groupe, il est puissant et mélodique au maximum, du power métal à son meilleur. Le nouveau chanteur fait un excellent travail, on croirait même parfois entendre Mr Geoff Tate de Queensryche, j'oserais dire que c'est à s'y méprendre.
L'album contient 9 titres bien dosés, les claviers sont omniprésent sans prendre trop de place.Le son est énorme
pour ceux qui ne connaissent pas Balance of Power, je dirais que le groupe se situe entre Queensryche et Symphony X.
Je vous conseille non seulement cet album mais aussi ses 4 prédecesseurs.