Eclipse Armaggedonize cd review
Eclipse return with the follow up to 2012's superb "Bleed And Scream" cd that I honestly believed would be difficult to top.
Taking the best elements from that and their "Are You Ready To Rock" remix cd from last year with even more hooks,choruses,thunderous drums,heavy riffs and solos,wonderful vocals and all wrapped in huge in your face production that shouts listen to us.
I love music that makes your feet and head move and songs that you can sing along too and put a huge smile on your face.Maybe this cd should be given to everyone needing an NHS appointment as it should make everyone feel a lot better.
Erik Martensson is very much in demand both as a producer and songwriter and listening to this you can see why. He can write melodies that are timeless and also has a perfect ear for melody and on this cd he should also be seen as a mighty vocal talent too.
With his long time buddy on guitar Magnus Henriksson who is all over this. Razor sharp riffs and exquisite solos the man is the perfect foil to the voice. With returning drummer Magnus Ulfstedt now on bass (!) and drummer Robban Back laying down an incredible backdrop with superb double bass drumming yet still it is all so melodic!!So catchy so bloody good!
"Don't Wanna Say I'm Sorry" starts with a short atmospheric intro before Erik screams "Yeah " and we are off with a galloping riff over a huge drum barrage and a hint of keys just adding to the depth of the sound. The pre chorus link change of rhythm is superb and the sound of the drums behind the chorus is so hard hitting.Yet over the top of that Erik sings like an angel with the first of so many wonderful choruses. Magnus's first solo of the cd comes out of the riff and is as always with the man superbly melodic.
"Stand On Your Feet" starts like its on fire with a huge riff and drums.Erik's vocal in the verse is top notch with such emotion and range.Erik demands you Stand On Your Feet I don't know how you could sit down!!Huge whoa whoa's in the chorus and a nice change of pace in the guitar solo before the main riff crashes in again.
"The Storm" has an acoustic guitar and keys intro before an early chorus.Then some light and shade and that voice soars again before the song builds pre chorus and a huge layered chorus that gets lodged in your brain.
" Blood Enemies" has a key intro with a Magnus bluesy guitar solo over the top which you can imagine them playing live with plenty of dry ice!!Then the main riff and drums crash in and off we go.Pre chorus slowdown makes the main chorus even better as it hits hard.Magnus then has a lengthy solo which is in keeping with the intro.
"Wide Open" is the blue print for melodic rock heaven.Riff and drums pound and Erik sings his lungs out with a chorus that demands stadiums sing back to him.
" Live Like I'm Dying" is the album's ballad and a real tour de force for Erik's masterpiece vocal.Lengthy vocal passages over keys show off his range and you can hear him straining every sinew to wring the last ounce of passion out of every word.The band and production are still powerful but listen to that voice.Magnus hits a note perfect solo too.
" Breakdown" is a bluesy groove based rocker which you can imagine being played live and the band having some fun with it. Huge chorus.A little different to the rest of the album but perfectly placed in running order.
"Love Bites" is all riff and double bass drum but as always a great chorus and huge pre chorus build up.Like the way the main riff dips in and out.
" Caught In The Rush" starts with a simple riff and drum intro before a pounding rocker with some light and shade in the early verse before the pre chorus hits in hard and a wonderful sing along chorus.
" One Life My Life" has a very heavy riff with a keys backing and a huge melodic chorus with Erik shining vocally.More light and shade in the second verse sounding sonically huge as the main riff kicks back in.
" Al Died Young" finishes the cd on a high with a fast paced double bass drum and riff spectacular but still melodic and catchy as hell.
It can be difficult to sum up a cd that is so good both musically and sonically.Every play you hear another riff,a vocal line,a drum fill and want to play it again and again.
Near perfection in 42 minutes.
I say that as I thought "Bleed And Scream " was perfect yet they have managed to top it and you never know what they could produce next time.
Melodic rock heaven and 2015 gets another cracker unwrapped.
Frontiers have set a Euro Release date: 20.02.2015 and a USA Release date: 24.02.2015
The band hit the road in the UK in March and you need to be there.
