UMUR "A Delicate Balance" is the debut full-length studio album by US, New Jersey based progressive metal act Alchemy X. The album was released through Plastic Giraffe Productions in February 1999. Information about Alchemy X are rather sparse, but the band apparently formed around 1999 and released "A Delicate Balance" and 4 years later "11:59:59" followed. As of now (May 2015), they haven´t released anything since.

The music on "A Delicate Balance" is what I would call traditional nineties progressive metal (progressive metal with keyboards, although the keyboards are not the dominant instrument on the album. That´s the guitars). I hear influences from acts like Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Symphony X. The band are relatively well playing and lead vocalist Martin Morin is fairly skilled. The vocal melodies aren´t that memorable though and it´s in the songwriting department that Alchemy X aren´t comparable to the artists mentioned above. The sound production, while not terrible or anything like that, also leaves a bit to be desired. It simply lacks power.

So while "A Delicate Balance" is a professional sounding release and it´s relatively enjoyable while it plays, it doesn´t exactly leave a lasting impression, or provide Alchemy X with a recognisable signature sound. To my ears they are pretty generic sounding and an example of very standard quality nineties progressive metal. Still a 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.