Eclipse Monumentum cd review
March the 24th sees the release of Swedish rockers Eclipse new cd Monumentum out on Frontiers Records Srl and the follow up to 2015's stunning Armageddonize opus.
Monumentum had so much to live up to as the band's last 2 cd's have been bordering on perfection with Bleed And Scream in 2012 and then Armageddonize producing all killer no filler with track after track of melodic rock full of huge choruses,melodies from every pore,big guitars and pounding drums all wrapped in a production to die for.
March the 24th also sees the release of Night Ranger's Don't Let Up cd and as a fan for 35 years a real choice what to listen to first well I went for Eclipse which says it all really as any one who know's me would agree.
Erik Martennson vocals,guitar and producer has said of Momentum "When I go and see a band I just want to hear songs that make me wanna put my fist in the air and scream along, and I want everyone around me to do the same. Well, Monumentum is one giant fist waiting for a chanting crowd of rockers. We can't wait for the people to hear it!"
Well said that man and the prefect analogy of a cd that deserves to blow the doors off and see Eclipse get the success they deserve as they have topped everything they have put out before which staggers me even to say it.
Living with the audio for 2 weeks now every play sees another melody line picked up whether vocal or guitar and the choruses are simply amazing with Erik's vocal moving to places few on this planet can match with a vocal range to die for.
Every single track stands alone and that is so rare.You can put the cd on at any point and the track is full of everything rock music should be about.
So powerful whether that be the guitars that are set to 11 with Magnus Henriksen on guitars excelling himself or the pounding rhythm section of Magnus Ulfstedt on bass (once their drummer) and for the first time on cd drummer Philip Crusner.
Drums crack,bass rumbles and riffs crackle with electricity and guitar solo's full of technique,tone and melody and all with a production that breathes and let's you hear it all and you must play it loud.Incredible.
Very very difficult to pick out highlights as I tend to when it it is all so strong this is a cd that could be like Hysteria with 7 or 8 singles.I normally say it starts with a 1-2 off well this one starts 1-11.
Vertigo was the first track released and has all of Eclipse's trademark rocking punchiness and huge chorus with a hook to catch a blue whale and my ass is truly kicked.
Never Look Back was the second track we heard with woah woah's from the off and Erik's vocal delivery exquisite with an added extra touch of harshness on a couple of occasions Then onto the chorus his voice is golden as the backing vocals harmonies on woah woahs alongside the guitars crunch and the drumming is just relentless with a mid song slowing off pace so when it all kicks back in it is even more powerful.
Going to be massive in the live setting.
Killing Me sees a slight slowing of pace in the verse before it all kicks in at the chorus with Erik again owning the chorus with the production really showing itself off with the bass rumble giving the song some real depth.
Henriksen's solo is fiery short but superbly timed and you just think wow.
The Downfall Of Eden sees an electric picked intro before the band hit hard but dip for the first chorus with Erik's vocal to the fore and a lengthy chorus melody.Mid song the guitar melody line suddenly turns into a cousin of Thin Lizzy's Emerald with twin guitars showing a Celtic feel and in the outro too.
Hurt is the album's ballad with Erik showing off his vocal range in a haunting power ballad of the highest order with a guitar solo to match.
Jaded shows the quality of the album that 3 songs have been released and all are stellar yet when I hit play on this one with Erik's vocal alongside the ballsy riff it went even higher.
Pure Eclipse melody,balls,attitude and a chorus that will have tonsils exploding and Henriksen's solo mid and in the outro show off his melodic stance superbly.
You will want to press play again.
Born To Lead has another huge guitar riff and chorus and is 100% Eclipse and love the rollocking guitar riff and pounding drums after the chorus that then dips as the verse starts again.Henriksen attacks his fiery solo always concise and leaves you wanting more like all great guitarists.
Makes you wonder what songs they will leave off the tour.
For Better Or Worse is a melodic rocker tour de force with a pre chorus slow off pace and yet another chorus begging to be sang back at the band by baying crowds.
No Way Back sees Henriksen's fast fingered guitar solo in the intro that continues throughout as a melody line alongside the main guitar riff that is epic.Maybe the heaviest guitar riff Eclipse have ever done but playing it with a hugely melodic chorus it is fantastic.
The main guitar solo is stunning with Henriksen showing himself as a shredder but always balancing it with melodic leanings.Stunning.
Night Comes Crawling sees more woah woahs and a stop start guitar riff with Crusner's drumming prowess always evident and another hugely melodic chorus with backing vocals to the fore.Erik's writing just gets better and better as every track reveals itself to melodic rock heaven.
Black Rain has a slightly slower pace but that makes it's guitar riff even heavier and just listen to that wonderful bass line as the verse unfolds too.Big big chorus with Erik's vocal going a little darker on the second word.Henriksen's then produces a guitar solo of class and in keeping with the song's tempo.
Monumentum will be at the top of most year end list's and sees Eclipse show that they are one of melodic rock's defining act's with now a string of superlative albums and if there is one cd you have to buy to it is this one.
Words struggle to do it justice.
It is that good.
Believe me.
