About this time, Paul Curtis was becoming fed up with life in London, and decided to retire from music altogether. Lionel and Tony decided to bring childhood friend, Pete Southern, to fill the vacant. Also, while the band was in the songwriting process, "Pony Canyon" heard the direction they were heading and pressured the band to replace Ritchie with a more dynamic vocalist. This was a huge blow to the band, but after much discussion and soul searching, they agreed to look around. Tony agreed to continue as the main songwriter, while the band held auditions for over 50 singers. However, they couldn't find a suitable replacement.
At that time, Ivan was working some deals with Lance King in the USA, so he asked him if he knew about a suitable singer. Lance told him of a few candidates, and also offered himself to fill the role. Ivan was inmediately interested in King, and after hearing some demos, he was in. With King on board, the band released their second album, Book of Secrets, in 1998. The album was a huge success all over Europe and Japan, receiving rave reviews even from Bruce Dickinson himself.
After the success of their second album, the band returned to the studio to work on the next follow-up: Ten More Tales of Grand Illusion. At this time, founder and keyboardist Ivan Gunn was so busy working with his label, Anthem, that the band decided that he wouldn't be in the band anymore to work in his record company.
The band managed to strike successful deals with labels to distribute their albums in Europe and North America. While they were touring to promote their third album, Chris Dale left the band, and was replaced with perennial songwriter and former vocalist Tony Ritchie. The tour was deemed the most successful metal tour in Germany in recent years.
The band worked quickly with their fourth album and released Perfect Balance in 2001. With this album, the band started their first tour in the USA, opening for bands like Kamelot and Symphony X. During this time, the band started having some disagreements with Lance King, so in 2003, it was decided for everyone's best interest for them to part company. The band had already begun working in the follow-up to Perfect Balance, so they started looking for a new lead vocalist.
When time came for the band to audition new singers, the band had heard that John K (current singer of Biomechanical) was available. When John shared his ideas and the band listened to him, it was decided he was the perfect candidate. Heathen Machine was released in 2003, and turned out to be Balance of Power's best selling album to date. The band toured aggressively to support the album all over UK. Shortly after this, John K decided to leave the band and dedicate full-time to Biomechanical. This was an amicable decision, so the band kept on working in their next projects.
In 2005, the band released their first compilation of hits titled Heathenology. This package includes a DVD with live footage of the band, plus a collection of hits from their previous albums.
On July 20, the band announced that their new vocalist would be Corey Brown (from Magnitude 9, Section 16, and Psyco Drama). He has already performed several shows with the band, and they're all working together for the band's sixth album, to be released next year.
Chemical Imbalance
Balance Of Power Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feel the steel breeze
Maybe I've been kissed by angels
Ruby sky
The devil's playground maybe
I cannot compare to this
The grand design was never mine
This is what you made me
Rise above the chemical imbalance
If you're strong and if you're brave
Rise above the chemical imbalance
Are you master are you slave?
You're in two minds
Or are two minds in you?
And is this fractured life
The real thing or the flavour of?
Soul asylum inner space
The last eternal hiding place
I can't control what I don't own
This is what you made me
The lyrics of Balance Of Power's song "Chemical Imbalance" serve as a reflection of one's inner struggles and the search for balance despite the overwhelming emotions and difficulties. In the opening lines, the singer perceives an intensely emotional experience - feeling the steel breeze, as if kissed by angels against the backdrop of a ruby sky; yet, the devil's playground is lurking in the background. The grand design of life has never been his, and he's always been subject to the forces of his environment, as the lyrics suggest, "This is what you made me."
The chorus encourages listeners to rise above the chemical imbalance, whether one is a master or a slave. The following lines highlight the duality that one may face - being in two minds, or perhaps two minds in one. The singer questions whether the fractured life he's experiencing is real or just a mere facade. The lyrics also make a subtle reference to the last eternal hiding place, which could signify the internal struggles that people deal with in their own private space.
Overall, "Chemical Imbalance" is a soulful ballad that explores the complexities of the human psyche and encourages listeners to seek the balance they desire. The song acknowledges life's ups and downs, the highs and lows, and everything in between.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel the steel breeze
I'm experiencing a strong, powerful force that is beyond my control
Maybe I've been kissed by angels
I feel fortunate and blessed, as if angels have touched my life
Ruby sky
The sky is a beautiful, vibrant red color
The devil's playground maybe
Although this situation seems idyllic, it could be a dangerous place where bad things can happen
I cannot compare to this
I'm in awe of what I'm experiencing and it's beyond anything I could have imagined
Beyond my wildest childhood wish
This is something that I never even dreamed was possible when I was a child
The grand design was never mine
This is part of a larger plan that I didn't create or control
This is what you made me
I'm the product of your influence and guidance
Rise above the chemical imbalance
I need to overcome my mental health struggles
If you're strong and if you're brave
It will take both strength and courage to overcome this challenge
Are you master are you slave?
I need to assess whether I'm in control of my own mind or whether my mental health is controlling me
You're in two minds
You're experiencing inner conflict or ambivalence
Or are two minds in you?
You're not sure if you're being influenced by two different forces
And is this fractured life
Your life might feel broken or disjointed
The real thing or the flavour of?
You're questioning whether your perception of reality is accurate or influenced by your mental health
Soul asylum inner space
Your soul feels trapped or confined within your own mind
The last eternal hiding place
Your mind feels like the only place you can hide and escape from the outside world
I can't control what I don't own
You can't control your own mind if you feel like it's not yours to control
This is what you made me
Your mental health struggles are partly influenced by outside forces and external factors
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KARIME KENDRA, SHAWN LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind