The lost sheep of MC's first six albums, Hanging In The Balance leans further away from their thrashier origins in favor of more variable material, and the result is an outstanding album with adventurous lyrical themes. "Down To The River," "Conductor," and "No Friend of Mine" are built on catchy riffs, memorable choruses, and not-so-metal accents like Spanish guitar and acoustics, and drummer Kirk Arrington lays down tastefully funky yet prominent beats. "Gods of a Second Chance" and "Hypnotized" are slower but effectively create atmosphere, and "End of The Age," "Waiting For a Savior," and "Lovers And Madmen" shows them trying new things...and succeeding. The album's highlight is "Little Boy" with its thrashy riffs, eerie midsection, thematic lyrics, and outstanding solos, and Mike Howe is in top form on this album, perhaps his best recorded vocal performance to date. Criminally overlooked, HITB may not be everyone's favorite MC album, but it's their most accomplished one.
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