Balance Breach - 'Save Our Souls' - Album Review

BACKGROUND. Modern Finish metal band emerging into the European scene is hardly a novelty, but one that is so determined to break established conventions and defy cultural expectations and cliches certainly deserves to be celebrated. Balance Breach have been doing precisely that for almost a decade now, and if we are to judge by their latest studio album Save Our Souls, they do not intend to stop or even slow down any time soon. Backed by the ever-growing Out Of Line Music since their inception, alongside the likes of Cane Hill, Blind Channel, Novelists, and ten56. amongst many others, together they represent the colourful front of the contemporary heavy underground music world in all its wonders and curiosities.

BAND. Hailing from the southern parts of otherwise chilling Finland, the quintet have been making killer modern metalcore from a while now, but made their official debut with Dead End Diaries (2020), followed by the internationally acclaimed sophomore release ABYZMAL (2023). Contrary to expectations and concentions, the band seamlessly blends signature melodeath influences and traditional metal techniques into what is predominantly a pretty modern-leaning sound, alt-metal focus and crisp production. With keen attention to actual songwriting as opposed to simple mindless shoving of riffs and breakdowns, Balance Breach reach new highs on a huge third record that once and for all proofs their worth and talent, a statement of intent to become a key player in the European stage.

ALBUM. Those familiar with Balance Breach's sound are to expect a striking evolution and overall re-focus on Save Our Souls; those new to the party better get ready for a thrill ride. If ABYZMAL was a breath of fresh air in otherwise stagnant scene hitting with force and determination, then those new 10 ragers really raise the heat with a much harder and even more driven and relentless exectution. Save Our Souls is a mezmerizing modern metalcore record, designed, crafted and delivered with the precision and balance expected from established genre heavyhitters, the sort of release that transforms a promising wannabe act into a fearsome headliner.

SONGS. Bouncy and groovey, 'Maniacs' and 'Come Undone' kickstart the show and then 'Strangers in Crime' and 'Just To Lose It All' unleash those huge singalong choruses that are becoming a favourite Balance Breach trademark. A welcome breather, 'Distress' makes a smooth transition into the album's title track and symbolic climax, easily the most memorable moment in Save Our Souls and one that sums up everythin that is so good about this band. A must-have and perfectly executed ballad-esque duo 'Million Miles Away' and 'Antidote' lead the more melodic and intimate final part of the record that eventually reaches its logical conclusion in the aethereal 'Sing Me To Sleep (The Last Song)'.

FUTURE. All in all, a massive third record from an immensely talanted act that is just starting. For the sake of the modern local Finish metalcore scene and the wider European metal family, this better be just the beginning, for I am sure Balance Breach have much more to offer. Their journey so far have been an exciting and enjoyable ride and I am here to keep on going just as relentless and driven as we have just witnessed on Save Our Souls.

Balance Breach - 'Save Our Souls'

Country: Canada

Relased: 7 March

Label: Out Of Line Music

Tracklisting:

1. Maniacs

2. Come Undone

3. Strangers In Crime (ft. Hand of Juno)

4. Just To Lose It All

5. Distress

6. Save Our Souls

7. Million Miles Away

8. Antidote

9. Let The Wind Blow

10. Sing Me To Sleep (The Last Song)