Balance: 30th Anniversary

**VH1986** · 01.24.25, 11:38 AM

On January 24, 1995, Van Halen released Balance, the band's 10th studio album and last with Sammy Hagar as lead singer. According to Chart Masters, Balance sold nearly 4.9 million units worldwide.

Balance is my second favorite Hagar era album and it rests easily in my top 5 of all Van Halen albums. The album features the best production of any Van Halen album and captures my favorite of Ed's tones throughout the years. My favorite songs from the album include The Seventh Seal, Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do), Amsterdam, and Not Enough.

**Bad to the Bone** · 01.24.25, 11:42 AM

I love alot of the songs from Balance. I don't like them grouped together on Balance for some reason. the overall tone is too dark for what I like about VH. I've still listened to a ton of songs on a regular basis, I mean The Seventh Seal is an awesome song to work out to.

some really cool stuff though

**YankeeRose** · 01.24.25, 11:44 AM

It's hard to believe 1995 is 30 years ago.

**Greenpaw** · 01.24.25, 12:12 PM

I'm with VH1986, this is my second favorite Hagar era record. Amazing follow up to an album that I was not a huge fan of (FUCK).

Love the production, very thick and the drums sound very heavy for a VH record. Saw them 3 times on this tour

I also can't believe it's this old now. wtf

**mike zack** · 01.24.25, 01:09 PM

30 years. Wow. Remember buying this.

**Number 47** · 01.24.25, 02:08 PM

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BG2mk9uPU/

**Little Intruder** · 01.24.25, 02:09 PM

Love the album but still hate the cover.

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 01.24.25, 03:14 PM

I am listening to it today in its entirety for the first time in ages.

**Little Intruder** · 01.24.25, 03:21 PM

This thread needs something...

**Van Squalen** · 01.24.25, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Greenpaw

I'm with VH1986, this is my second favorite Hagar era record. Amazing follow up to an album that I was not a huge fan of (FUCK).

Love the production, very thick and the drums sound very heavy for a VH record. Saw them 3 times on this tour

I also can't believe it's this old now. wtf

It was my favorite Sam Halen record for twenty years.

But it just hasn't held up for me in the last ten. I dunno exactly why. The Fairburn production is off charts, of course, and 7th Seal and Amsterdam kick all sorts of ass.

But the rest of it just washed out for me. Pound for pound, I don't think it excels OU812. I did once upon a time.

I still think people are too hard on the cover. I like the cover. And the live show in '95 was killer. At the Forum, anyway.

**The Aftershock** · 01.24.25, 06:18 PM

My favourite Hagar era album. Ed's playing and tone is on another level. Songs like Amsterdam, Aftershock and Take Me Back are some of the best songs in their whole catalogue, IMO.

**VH1986** · 01.24.25, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by The Aftershock

My favourite Hagar era album. Ed's playing and tone is on another level. Songs like Amsterdam, Aftershock and Take Me Back are some of the best songs in their whole catalogue, IMO.

I like your opinion.

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 01.24.25, 08:18 PM

The production is indeed killer, but the album (IMO) has too much filler.

The best 3 tracks are The Seventh Seal, Amsterdam and Aftershock. I still find Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do) extremely overrated. Lyrics aside, I actually don't mind Can't Stop Lovin' You. Very melodic tune with an excellent solo from King Edward.

Carry on.

**VH1986** · 01.24.25, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by I Coulda Hada VH

The production is indeed killer, but the album (IMO) has too much filler.

The best 3 tracks are The Seventh Seal, Amsterdam and Aftershock. I still find Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do) extremely overrated. Lyrics aside, I actually don't mind Can't Stop Lovin' You. Very melodic tune with an excellent solo from King Edward.

Carry on.

Honey chile, we done got up down that road.