Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: KASHMIR; independently unsigned, hailing from Spanish grounds - performing Hard Rock, on their 3rd album entitled: "Balance" (released April 1st, 2020).

Since formation in 1988; the quintet in question have 3 albums in their discography so far, their first LP entitled "Promised Land", their 2nd album entitled "Hard Times" (released in 1997) and this here 3rd album (22 years in the making) entitled "Balance". 12 tracks ranging at around 60:02; KASHMIR arrange an intricately designed formula of heavy-hitting Hard Rock developments.

"Sweet Child" begins the record; opening up with a children's bed chime, until unleashing amplified adrenaline & boisterously bouncy harmonies. Engulfed into a barraged frenzy of distored calamities that trigger this riveting yet rhythmic but blistering foundation of psychedelia hypnosis. Compiling a gnarly flamboyancy of groovy executions, chunky hooks & frolicking gallops chug with thunderously primitive maelstroms of quintessential virtuosity with uniquely versatile vehemence. The band consists of Fernado Martínez on vocals/background vocals; who showcases these pipes of throaty yells with easy-listening elements, implementing a complexly diverse array of synergetic stability with detailed energy & high-pitched persistency...crafting a consistent ability to blend immersively inventive instrumentation with jumpy tightness which mesmerizes me with this upbeat yet elegantly exquisite hybrid of punchy melodies & meticulous manifestations.

"Freezing In Your Heart" opens up with gritty drum pounds while ripping with these sonically seamless pursuits of shredding meatiness from guitarist Ángel Antonio Berdiales; while they can come across as rapidly swift, they nimbly trailblaze with radio-friendly finesse as well. Nothing immensely extreme here, but the songwriting musicianship excels in its approach to supply quirky snappiness with vibrantly potent momentums that sounds refreshing with the stark yet razor-sharp variety the band dextrously demonstrates. "Rescue Me" captures catchy experimentation, embellishing on stereotypical old-school rock styles that lacerates with this killer panache of outrè remedies which offer a healthy dose of sulphurously feel-good hymns which will tap feets and dance souls with motivating effectiveness. Lyrically injecting an emotionally but happy-go-lucky aesthetic, while transitioning this transformative vibe of ambiently diligent Hammond/Pianist characteristics from Emilio Gutiérrez who provides this somewhat kaleidoscopic trippiness to it. Brilliantly amalgamating heavy fretworks in which solidifies this ritualistic ramification that surges with striking potential, shrouding this relentless yet organic substance of boogy-licious distinctions.

"With Hands In Heavy" creatively distinguishes this progressively technical mayhem of anthemic components with this combustible grandure of electrifying but acoustic charms and a thrilling sublimity to rift this tempestuous oscillation of atmospheric embodiments while revolved around an enchanting slab of otherworldly landscapes of optimistic imagination, frantically exploring skyrocketing pandemonium while conjuring a distracting enticement of intriguing contrasts that spellbinds one with utmost musical solace. Venomously thumping this sophisticated bass audibility from Alejandro Espina; chiselling a droning grind, infectiously piledriving with pulsating enthrall. Bridging a gap of thick qualities, while harnessing hasty strums that tear with soaring storminess. "Around This Moment" wonders with more of those groundbreaking but spiritual keyboardist delights; still wildly rushing with lush yet outlandish orchestration which are armed to the brim with mellow moods, forging conceptually hefty headiness in this repertoire of skillful artistry. Battering drummer Manu Maroto also contributes a hammering hit of rambunctious pummelling integrities, systematically patterning with synchronicity & mellifluously euphonic flows in which wails this enchanting horizon of raw yet sweet-tuning soundscape of tuneful tempos that transpires this ominium gatherum in a most pleasing way.

"Dirty Road" brings back the revelling yet vintage vibrato of colourful enlightenments, fulfilling an assembly of adventurous fabrications in which majestically materializes this profusely robust vindication of steely precision & alternative illuminations distill this prodegiously prestigious but exciting collection of choir-like trumpet playing, while sprinkling this outburst of memorable yet positively relishing psalms engage a rocking vortex of talented flair. "Remember Kashmir" begins with this Egyptian-esquire aura; setting up the pace with the tribal vibrations the land establishes, distributing this unprecedented landmark of hallmark hullabaloo, tributing the pioneering influences in which resonates this compelling feeling to whirl with the twirl while soaking in the thudding rock tendencies in place. "Having A Good Time" most definitely gives you that disco bop mood that romps up with stimulating impact, efficaciously frolicking chugging chaos wretched with this slick absolution intertwining in this marvelous mix of bruising belters and crusing fascinations that will make you come back for more. "Queen Of The Snow" brings back the utopian soundscape from two songs ago...while really making you feel like a queen of the land, lingering this mastery inception of mysterious fortifications of forms allowing an emancipated persona that has an awe-inspiring empowerment of soulful significance - alluring an immeasurable sense of witty trance that raves with remarkable results - with a hardened groove inbetween that will shake the sands of time.

"Another Name In The Sand" envelops similar proficiencies that cultivate constructively ambitious class of zestful taste, concrete bangers & crisp production qualities...blending a deadly bomb of satisfying weight. The integral density here cites a dimensional structure of unprecedented yet totally redeeming but fancy jam that validates this promising prerequisite of modernized pop-rock swag. The penultimate track "Come And Dance" is the definition of all sass; this staple jammer trends as a cool borderline of silver lining expertise, enduring an à la mode sense of pristine surroundings that serves as a song that you would hear at a wedding or general party...again, nothing too extreme within this record but everything sounds rich & flashy all round that it is quite refreshing to witness. Overall concluding with the finale epic: "Hard Times R'n'R" with its sombre performances that repels with this camp but calming overarch of vivid yet while sometimes oozing out emotive lyricism, its fruitful messages reach out like a plague of total love and beauty.

Bottom line; I am compelled to say that KASHMIR certainly outdone themselves with this one, it's a breath of fresh air to hear something so originally unparalleled. It shows that it is indeed good to exceed boundaries, and to experiment with every type of instrument that possibly resonates with the sub-genre willingly...this is exactly what "Balance" describes as...an hour long worth of crazy but definitely exceeding expectations that makes this a discovery worth the listen or three! Do check it out.