Tag: eclipse

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.

Now, I think I have mentioned my love of all things Sweden when it comes to hard rock and metal quite a few times in previous reviews. This band have consistently put out killer melodic rocks records since their first album in 2001, and this is their sixth studio offering. Led by the super talented singer/guitarist, Erik Martensson, this album carries on from previous efforts. Think big hooks, melodies, sing-a-long chorus’, and a huge guitar sound – this band deliver big time!

I think it’s safe to say that every song on this album could be a single. Opening track, I Don’t Wanna Say I’m Sorry, lays down the template for the whole record – a superb song with a killer riff. Next track, Stand On Your Feet, keeps the melody a rockin’ – another killer track. I think I may be repeating myself quite a bit here, but The Storm is another superb track. It’s all in the melody my friends, and the middle eight and solo is exceptional. A great epic guitar piece starts Blood Enemies, which sounds very majestic, and a monster riff kicks in for the best track so far. Side 1 closes out with Wide Open with a nice chugga riff – the quality of the songs on this side is so high.

The heaviest sounding track, Love Bites, starts off Side 2 with a pounding groove and a fat huge riff. Breakdown has a very southern vibe with the slide guitar intro, and does remind a bit of Jelly Roll by Blue Murder. Live Like I’m Dying is the big power ballad on the album, and the emphasis being on the power and a killer solo. Caught Up In The Rush brings the tempo back up with another great riff, and this could be my favourite on the album – although there isn’t a bad moment on the album. One Life My Life is the penultimate track and is as catchy as a catchy thing in catchy town. The last track is All Died Young, and we go out on a high with double kicks a pounding – this is the fastest track on the album.

Well there we go, a great album by a great band, and comes highly recommended from me.

10/10 from The Grooveman.