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Balance

by Van Halen

Released: January 24, 1995

Hard rock, pop metal

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

The Album

"Balance" is the tenth studio album by American hard rock band, Van Halen, released on January 24, 1995. The title "Balance" reflects the recurring themes of equilibrium and the struggles for it throughout the album. The tracks showcase a mixture of the hard rock for which Van Halen is famous and explorations into entirely new stylistic territories, featuring diverse instrumentation.

Inside the Recording

This album marks the last artistic collaboration between Van Halen's original lineup and producer Bruce Fairbairn before drummer Alex Van Halen and guitarist Eddie Van Halen's disagreements saw the departure of vocalist Sammy Hagar.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The album features hit singles like "Can't Stop…

The album features hit singles like "Can't Stop Lovin' You", "Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)", "Amsterdam", and more.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Van Halen - Balance

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Then

Reception

Though the album marked the end of Van Halen’s particularly tumultuous period, it remains a significant part of their discography in terms of both commercial success and artistic evolution. Upon its release, "Balance" topped several Billboard charts and was certified Triple Platinum in the U.S. for sales exceeding three million units.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Balance" is the tenth studio album by American hard rock band, Van Halen, released on January 24, 1995. This album marks the last artistic collaboration between Van Halen's original lineup and producer Bruce Fairbairn before drummer Alex Van Halen and guitarist Eddie Van Halen's disagreements saw the departure of vocalist Sammy Hagar.

The title "Balance" reflects the recurring themes of equilibrium and the struggles for it throughout the album. The tracks showcase a mixture of the hard rock for which Van Halen is famous and explorations into entirely new stylistic territories, featuring diverse instrumentation.

The album features hit singles like "Can't Stop Lovin' You", "Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)", "Amsterdam", and more. Upon its release, "Balance" topped several Billboard charts and was certified Triple Platinum in the U.S. for sales exceeding three million units. Though the album marked the end of Van Halen’s particularly tumultuous period, it remains a significant part of their discography in terms of both commercial success and artistic evolution.