Tag: eclipse (Page 1 of 2)

This is the tenth album from these Swedish melodic rockers who have consistently put out high quality rockin’ records since 2001. If you look back over their recent albums the sound has shifted somewhat to a more Foo Fighters groove while still holding on to the big hooks and melody. An obvious attempt to rake in a younger audience perhaps? They even move to a Celtic sound on Anthem where memories of Gary Moore and Thin Lizzy come rushing into my head.

However, it’s the big riffing catchy chorus tunes that I really love from the band and I’m pleased to say they are here but buried later in the record. The last seven songs starting with Hearts Collide will have you singing along like a goon. I don’t know any other modern band that consistently comes up with so many hook laden songs. Frankly, Erik Martensson is a genius and doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

Give this album time and you will see the band have grown into so much more. Favourite track? Well, it’s a real tough one as there are some bangers here for sure but I Don’t Get It and So Long Farewell Goodbye are my joint choices. I Don’t Get It is a killer power pop blast with a HUGE hook and chorus. So Long starts with that trademark crunch riffing that they do so well and again the sing along hook and chorus is soooo good. There are no ballads on this album!🎉

Great band and great album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

This is the band’s fourth album, released back in 2012, and it is one of their best. They are without doubt, one of the best melodic rock bands around today, giving that right amount of crunch to add to the superb melodies. Erik Martensson is a genius and really knows how to write a tune, and with his main partner in crime Magnus Henriksson, they have created their own sound.

The opening track Wake Me Up really is a statement track. The main riff hits you straight away and coupled with that killer groove, it is one of best opening tracks you could wish for. The title track follows and again the main riff is killer, as is the hook and chorus. This band should be huge! Ain’t Dead Yet starts with double heavy chugga guitars and double kicks that any metal band would be proud of. Add to that the superb melodic vocal and melody, it’s a killer crossover tune. Battlegrounds starts with a powerful riff and groove, and the hook and chorus are huge. A Bitter Taste is a power ballad with the emphasis on the power, the middle section is epic with some killer guitar. Falling Down closes out Side 1, it has a big riff, big groove, and big everything else. Great track.

Side 2 kicks off with S.O.S and again, we have a very metal opening coupled with the melody of the vocal. Take Back The Fear just smokes and is my favourite track. It is the fastest song on the album, but there is no sacrifice of the melody as the hook and chorus are epic. The Unspoken Heroes follows and the quality keeps on coming. It has a riff that reminds me a tad of Thin Lizzy, but with a lot heavier groove. About To Break is up next and it’s power ballad number two. The harmonies and vocals are huge. The album closes out with After The End Of The World and we are going out with a bang with that trademark chugga riffage. A monster track to end on! A great band and every rock fan should own at least one of their albums!!!

10/10 from The Grooveman.

This is a 2019 live recording spread over three discs from Sweden’s best exponents of melodic rock. The first two records are a live concert recorded in Gothenburg, the third also has two tracks from that live performance plus three studio and acoustic tracks on Side 1. The final side is given over to a stream the band did during lockdown.

I’m not going to go through each track as I would be here all day, but the highlights for me are the superb version of Mary Leigh, which is a great track anyway but the enthusiastic crowd really works in the live setting. A ripping version of Vertigo which I think is one of the band’s best tunes. The anthemic United really works live and I still think it has a hint of Eurovision about it. Battlegrounds, which is my favourite on this album, and is such a great tune anyway but I really like this version.

Other than the obvious intro triggers and pre recorded backing vocals, this is quite an honest recording. I’m not sure if they still do, but Frontiers had this in their sale section and it’s definitely VFM.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

This is the latest release from Sweden’s finest exponents of melodic rock. It still amazes me that this band are not more well know. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m not sure why they don’t get a mention on a radio show like Eddie Trunk’s, as they are head and shoulders above some of the bands he has on there – I guess he doesn’t do his own research.

It’s more of the same from Eclipse here, basically great rock songs with big hooks and melodies and a killer production. I’d be interested to know how big they are in Sweden, if at all, or is this just a project that comes together so Frontiers can release an album.

There is a bonus track for vinyl only, Ain’t No Fun, which believe it or not is one of the best tracks on the album. It has a great melody and hook plus a superb solo. I was having a conversation with a friend and he mentioned that he doesn’t like the band as they sound too “Eurovision Song Contest”. I sort of get that, but surely a great song is a great song right?

Anyway, I love them and I think this is a great record. My favourite track is Bite The Bullet, which has a huge monster riff, a massive guitar sound, and an awesome melody. If you like your rock with big hooks and melodies, then give this a try.

9/10 from The Grooveman.