Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM
To celebrate 40 years the three brother collective Balaam and the Angel return with their first taste of new material in over three decades with latest EP Forces of Evil
Inspired at that time by the new scene that was developing around Bauhaus, The Sisters Of Mercy, Southern Death Cult, Theatre Of Hate etc. Their debut ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’, saw them touring the world with the likes of The Mission, Kiss, The Cult, Aerosmith and Iggy Pop until the release of their last album ‘Prime Time’ in 1993.
Although there has been a high level of inactivity under the Balaam banner the interest has rarely withered and The four tracks on the EP have been written by the band and demonstrate a more developed approach to the lyrical content which embraces some of the bands more common themes about how we navigate our daily lives alongside some more provocative themes such as mental health and the contradiction between religious belief vs religious intolerance and the way in which this are used as one of the reasons for the persecution of others.
Opening track Dancing Senseless has all the hallmarks of smoke machine dance floors with fast paced drum patterns and swirling guitars which serves as the real heartbeat of the release which is then followed by title track Forces of Evil which is flooded with prominent basslines and catchy vocal hooks
“The process of creating this collection of songs has been incredibly unique and has prompted us to revisit some previously overlooked ideas.
The track ‘Forces Of Evil’ had its origins way back in the start of our musical journey. It was a song that we had set aside because the lyrics seemed too naïve and simplistic however fast forward four decades and we have a set of lyrics and sentiment that could not be more current and universally appropriate,” says guitarist Jim Morris.
Feel the Silence then follows with a striking balance of nostalgia with strong elements of modern musicianship before concluding with Afterlife which has a brooding nature but adds to overall package that has been much received and welcomed
Forces of Evil Track listing.
1. Dancing Senseless
2. Forces of Evil
3. Feel the Silence
4. After Life
Catch Balaam And The Angel live at the following dates:
Thurs 14th Nov: London Islington The Garage
Thurs 21st Nov: Glasgow Room 2
Fri 22nd Nov: Sheffield Network
Sat 23rd Nov: Hull The New Adelphi
Thurs 28th Nov: Birmingham Castle And Falcon
Fri 29th Nov: Bedford Esquires
Ticket links for all shows can be found via the band’s website: www.balaamandtheangel.co.uk
Balaam And The Angel are:
Mark Morris – bass/vocals
Jim Morris – guitar/keyboards
Des Morris – drums
https://balaamandtheangel.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/balaamandtheangel
https://www.instagram.com/balaamandtheangel/?hl=en
https://www.youtube.com/user/balaamandtheangel
