The UK’s Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band Balance of Power made a big comeback this year, with a bold new album, direction, and core line-up. The latter of which saw the addition of the phenomenal new singer: Hazel Jade (HJ). We caught up for an interview with HJ, along with bassist and founding member Tony Ritchie (TR), to discuss the extraordinary success of their new release, “Fresh from the Abyss“, and find out how it all came together.
As your last full-length album “Heathen Machine” came out in 2003, I suppose the most obvious place to start is by asking how it feels to now have a new release to talk about? And when exactly did you start thinking about getting back together and working on your latest album, “Fresh from the Abyss”?
TR: Well, yes it’s great to have some new music out there that’s for sure. After “Heathen Machine” we took what was supposed to be a short break, but life got in the way and it turned into a lot longer time than we anticipated. We did make an album called “The Scintilla Project” with Biff Byford(Saxon) and Andy Sneap (Judas Priest). This was meant to be the next Balance of Power album with special guests, but Biff didn’t want to alienate any of his Saxon fans and rightly so. We ended up changing some of the lyrics and tying it in with a movie that Lionel had produced. The album was well received so we started writing a sequel, but that didn’t fit with Biff and Andy’s schedules so we decided we should continue as Balance of Power. After all the songs were written by myself and Lionel in just the same way as we always had. Over time some of the original songs got superceded by newer ones, so for the first time ever we still had some great song ideas on the table that didn’t get used.
The opening song on the album, “Last Man Down”, starts with the lines: “This is not the ending I was looking for, unintended static cuts the air”. I’m guessing from these lyrics that the long gap between album releases wasn’t exactly part of the plan?
TR: Exactly, that song was written during the pandemic and was really a first look at the unknown times that we were in and reflecting on the past. So many heroes, so little known about what was happening. Lots of people re evaluating their lives and relationships. Just looking for courage in strange times.
There have been a few different lead singers during the band’s history, but previously they were all male vocalists. How did you end up enlisting Hazel Jade as your newest singer, and did you have any concerns about switching to a female vocalist?
TR: We have had our fair share of singers and each one has left their mark on the Balance of Power sound. We had almost finished recording this album and still no singer, so we asked our friend Toby Jepson if he had any ideas. He suggested Hazel, so we sent her a demo of “Never be here again”. She recorded her vocal with her home recording set up and laid down her take on the song. When we heard it we were blown away. We loved the energy and passion that she brought to the song so much that we used her actual demo vocal on the finished album. We think it’s great that when you hear that song, what you’re hearing is the first thing that we heard from Hazel. That’s why we have a Hazel Jade in the band and she has already made her mark as the new voice of the band.
Other bands have often gone back and re-recorded some of their back catalogue after a new singer has joined. Arch Enemy springs to mind as the most relevant example. Is this something you might consider doing as well?
TR: You know, it’s not something we thought of, but after your suggestion we’ll certainly have that conversation and see if it’s something we could look into. Thank you.
It’s fair to say that the line-up was not the only big change for Balance of Power, as the music has deviated a bit from before as well. Was this a result of having new members in the band contributing their ideas? Or more of a natural evolution?
TR: Definitely a natural progression. Its coming from myself and Lionel musically, but Hazel has a great input with the visuals and we’re very grateful for that. It’s not easy to keep things fresh, but Hazel has given a fresh and new edge vocally and visually to the band which we are enjoying.
It was nice to join a band who had such a history and experience of the industry…
Hazel Jade
“Fresh from the Abyss” seemed to come out of nowhere, which I suppose is why the album title is so appropriate. Did it come as a surprise to long-time fans when it was announced? And have you heard much feedback from this demographic? Or are you mostly reaching a new audience now?
TR: It was a surprise you’re right, but so far we’ve been welcomed by fans old and new. It’s sometimes harder for the “more mature” fans to accept change, we think we’ve struck a nice “Balance” of old and new with these songs. Times have changed and you soak up the music that’s around you, but we still do it our way so it’s always going to have a certain something that people will recognise.
You did release three fantastic music videos in the lead-up to the album’s release for the singles “Abyss”, “One More Time Around The Sun”, and “Never Be Here Again”, which showed a darker, more gothic side of Balance of Power. Whose idea was it to move the band’s image in this direction? And who helped with the production?
TR: Yes, Hazel has some great ideas and we love the Gothic almost Steampunk feel that she suggested.
Toby Jepson has had a hand on the whole process, from the production of the album with Lionel, recording Hazel’s vocals and being hands on with directing the videos and writing the storylines etc. Its been so much fun with him popping up all over the place and being so invested in what we’re creating.
The album line-up for “Fresh From the Abyss” is different to the current band line-up, with Chris Masimore and Stoney Wagner having recorded their guitar parts before later handing the reins to Chris Young and Adam Wardle. Reading between the lines a little, was this due to a reluctance to perform live? And can we expect to see a tour in future?
TR: Chris Masimore and Stoney Wagner were part of the band that recorded “The Scintilla Project” in Minneapolis with Biff and Andy. We always knew that we’d need new guitarists to play live as they have their own commitments in the US. We all agreed that we’d just enjoy making the next album with our buddies and have their blessing to recruit someone else when the time came. So there was no reluctance to play live, there was always a plan to go ahead as we have.
We have an Agent on-board for shows for us as we speak. The album is only just out, we’re rehearsing a live set and can’t wait for you guys to hear what we’ve got and you won’t believe what Hazel is bringing to the old and new songs.
Speaking about the future plans of the band, do you think there is a chance you will work on another album together after “Fresh from the Abyss”? And can you turn it around sooner next time?
TR: Ha ha! Yes we can do that. We’re writing songs now and hoping to record before the year is out. It depends on what comes our way. Hopefully we’ll be out on the road so recording might have to wait. It’s all a bit of an unknown right now, we’ll let you know.
Obviously each person has their own quirks and tastes when it comes to singing, but my style fortunately fitted in with the BOP music.
Hazel Jade
Hazel, can you tell us a bit about your background? Have you always had an interest in singing heavy metal?
HJ: I grew up from the age of 3 performing musical theatre! My mum was also composing songs and had a recording studio in the house, so music was always in the air, be it opera, classical, r&b, jazz or rock! I performed in a couple of operas as a kid (the small gang roles!). I think because all sorts of genres of music became a part of my family life, I ended up with an eclectic ear! I’m happy with most genres as long as it’s a great melody! I’ve always moved more towards rock/metal as we all have favourite styles. There are some great bands out there, some of mine are Halestorm and In This Moment, as there aren’t so many females in these genres, and it can be difficult to break through. I also love film scores, and composers such as Hans Zimmer, John Williams and others who are sublime at creating them!
How familiar were you of Balance of Power’s music before you joined? Did you have any trepidation about working with a band that seemed to be coming out of a long hiatus?
HJ: No, I hadn’t heard of them, but when the demo was sent over to me to trial on, I loved the song and the overall sound. Tight and professional. Then the rest of the songs were also top notch too, and when I was asked to join as the singer, I jumped at the chance. Prior I’d had my own band ‘Elevation Falls’ and been with them for over 8 years, but it came to a natural end when Covid hit, we’d all grown up and each of us had different paths we wanted to follow. It was nice to join a band who had such a history and experience of the industry, who had got the ‘ego’ bit out of the way (which younger musicians are inclined to have)!! BOP have credentials and the song writing was excellent along with the musicianship. What’s not to love!
Hazel has some great ideas and we love the Gothic almost Steampunk feel that she suggested.
Tony Ritchie
The press notes mention that you changed the melody of “One More Time Around The Sun”, which made the hook of the chorus even better. Was it a challenge performing songs which may have originally been written for a male vocalist in mind? It seems the rest of the band were also happy for you to stamp your identity on the music?
HJ: For the most part it’s not a problem to sing male parts (I used to sing the male and female parts of Phantom Of The Opera for fun 😀 ) Obviously each person has their own quirks and tastes when it comes to singing, but my style fortunately fitted in with the BOP music. Tony and Lionel have been excellent in letting me have leeway in how I interpret each song which has been fantastic. I know that a small percentage of the old fans weren’t happy there was a female vocalist, but I think you’d get that with any vocalist change to be honest.
Who are some of your main influences? Are there any artists that you would love to collaborate with?
HJ: Heart (Ann Wilson), Halestorm, Miles Kennedy (Alter Bridge), In This Moment, Slash … to name a few 😀 … as to influences, there have been so many. Who can listen to Ella Fitzgerald or Amy Winehouse, Heart, Kate Bush or Within Temptation and not be influenced by these amazing female artists? I adore Miles Kennedy, and still listen to a load of EMO bands such as BVB! I love so many, as music reflects your emotional being, which of course changes all the time! We associate songs with a particular event in our life, so in a way, they’re solidly part of our life’s journey.
How would you feel about having a profile page on our website?
HJ: Absolutely fine! Be an honour, would love it!!
Thanks again for your time. Is there anything else you would like to add?
HJ: Thank you for the positive review you gave us and all the praise too!
