Balaam And The Angel - “Love Death Wealth Water”
- The Joker
- May 9
- 3 min read
Review by - The Joker
Darklands Recordings Release: 01/05/26
Score: 7/10 (Would be eight if they'd made it six tracks and we wouldn't have been wrong to want that.)
Some bands, after all these years, have lost the ability to properly fade out. This is neither a literal nor a physical question; artistically speaking, the time has come to wind down. A dignified descent into heritage status is required, where the music will live only in memory. After four decades, most groups are mere custodians of their own history, periodically dusting off their legacy and putting it back in place on anniversaries.
Balaam And The Angel, apparently, have never had such thoughts.
‘Love Death Wealth Water’ doesn't seek to introduce any grand narratives regarding resurrection or a fresh perspective. Instead, it quietly arrives with four songs and continues on as if the previous three decades were a long break. It is precisely this approach that evokes a certain admiration. Without apologies, without trying to sell the audience anything, the album simply exists.
‘Love Death Wealth Water’ begins in the style that fans can expect to see from Balaam and The Angel. The song doesn't immediately rush into grabbing attention. Instead, it slowly sinks into a deep rhythm and allows the music to take care of itself. There is some weight here, but it is not exaggerated, excessive or theatrical. The group feels relaxed in this environment, which can sometimes become a problem for the music. However, this never happens.
‘Fear Of Poison Water’ has a little more tension than the previous composition. The song is restless, full of nervous energy. There is a feeling of dissatisfaction permeating throughout the track that is not necessarily associated with current affairs or social commentary. Instead, "Fear of Poison Water" conveys an underlying idea that everything is wrong and probably has been for some time. It is not explicitly stated, which makes it all the more powerful.
‘You Are Dead To Me’ is the coldest song of the four, and it requires some explanation. This track does not rely on the dramatic revelation of emotions or catharsis. Instead, the entire piece consists of restraint and confidence, and the atmosphere created by the music leaves a lasting impression. The lyrics also suggest the end of this relationship, and the execution of the idea is impeccable.
‘Love Me Too’ ends the record on a somewhat ambiguous note. There is some warmth in the track, but it never really resolves anything. In other words, listeners will leave with the thought that something changed, but whether it was for the better is unclear. This, perhaps, is the point of the entire record.
As far as production is concerned, the music is carefully balanced and clean. The instrumentals are well-separated and clear, allowing listeners to focus on each component of the track without distractions. However, the overall texture retains some dirtiness, creating the illusion of a genuine performance. This is not just important but critical for 2026, the year when digital recording becomes commonplace.
One cannot help noticing that the artists did not resort to nostalgia to create their album. Their legacy permeates every note and chord in ‘Love Death Wealth Water,’ but it is not constantly mentioned in the lyrics. Instead, the songs rely on natural integration of these ideas, which means that listeners perceive them as organic. At the same time, they are allowed to recall the past, but not excessively.
This does not mean that the album is entirely flawless. There are times when some risk-taking would benefit the music. Nothing gets messy or chaotic, which is good, but listeners may find this approach somewhat predictable. The question arises whether the band would lose control over the track if they tried to break some boundaries. Unfortunately, there is no opportunity to explore this idea because Balaam and The Angel are very consistent in their approach.
Consistency is not a bad thing. Most of their contemporaries have either stopped innovating or decided to change their artistic direction to appeal to younger generations. Balaam and The Angel show no signs of abandoning their style. They simply remain true to themselves and continue producing the music they have been making for almost half a century. There is something refreshingly honest in it.
In summary, four tracks, no filler, no missteps. It does not overstress the audience, does not try to look more than it is. There is a hint of confidence in this restraint, although one cannot help thinking that the artists could go further in some cases.
However, this is not the worst tradeoff. One can give up unpredictability in exchange for stability. Perhaps, after four decades, this is the right price.
Track List
1. Wealth
2. Fear Of Poison Water
3. You Are Dead To Me
4. Love Me Too
