ECLIPSE – Bleed and Scream

Frontiers Records (Released 21st September) www.frontiers.it

Back in 2008, the swaggering sounds of their second album Are you Ready To Rock marked Swedish band Eclipse out as a coming force in melodic rock. Since that date lead singer and multi instrumentalist Erik Martensson has carved out a niche as a prolific songwriter and producer, masterminding excellent albums by the likes of W.E.T. and Toby Hitchcock so anticipation was high for his return to the day job.

As might be inferred from the title, the album sees a progression, rather than a complete change of style, into a heavier sound that is far removed from fluffy AOR as its possible to be. Opener Wake Me Up sets the tone- an uncompromising balls out rocker with a great guitar solo from Magnus Henriksen, who fairly burns it up throughout the whole album.

Ain’t Dead Yet and the celtic-tinged romp of Battlegrounds – would appeal to fans of the likes of Helloween and Hammerfall, and indeed at times, such as Take Back the Fear and closer After the End of the World, the sound verges on power metal with uncompromising riffery and doublekick drums. Yet at the same time Erik’s typically Scandinavian vocals, reminding me of Joey Tempest in places, ensure that the end product is still melodic.

Some of the songs can come over as being a bit samey and more could have benefited from the light and shade which makes Bitter Taste the stand out track. Nevertheless this album rocks out big style and should help gain Eclipse and Martensson in particular the further exposure they deserve.

****

Andy Nathan

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