The Swedish hard rock orchestra
Eclipse which is fronted by the
talented and brilliant Erik Mårtensson
on vocals and with his sidekick / axeman
Magnus Henriksson on guitars are finally
here with one of my most anticipated
album of 2015. Together with Robban Bäck
(drums) and the new member Magnus
Ulfstedt on bass, Eclipse has made the
album of the year or?? 'Armageddonize'
is a melodic metal/rock masterpiece. I
had ultra high expectations for this,
but they just blew me away in every darn
track. I can't remember when this last
happened... 'Armageddonize' is filled
with eleven masterful hard rock
creations. No song is similar to the
other really and this is even more
diverse and perfect than their amazing
album 'Bleed & Scream' from 2012.
Razor sharp guitars from Henriksson and
with a Mr. Mårtensson, who sings better
than ever before. Erik has always been a
great singer, but he has upgraded his
vocals with multiple levels and how on
earth will they be able to outdo this
album in the future? Powerful melodies
and catchy choruses, which is perfectly
produced with lots of love for the
melodic hard rock/metal genre. I've been
listened to the first single 'Stand On
Your Feet' from the album daily for a
few weeks and I have danced, played air
guitar, been running, been skiing, baked
bread and bathed to this masterful song.
Mårtensson is one of the top
producers/song-writers in this genre
today and on this disc he also shows
what a big powerhouse he is at the
microphone.
Let me guide you shortly
through the magic tracklist:
The opening track 'I Do not Want to Say
I'm Sorry' is a real cannonball track
with super alert guitar riffs and the
song swings like a dinghy in a storm.
Absolutely brilliant!! Magnus plays like
in a trance and delivers brilliant
guitar loops, which cuts like a hot
knife through butter. 'Stand On Your
Feet' is probably among the heaviest
they have released and is the given hit
song on this disc. The cautious opening
of 'The Storm' explodes into a shining
rock gem with magical vocals, great
guitar solo and mega strong chorus. Top
quality throughout the song.
'Blood Enemies' opens quietly with
stylish and soft guitars, but changes
into a delicious melodic metal song
where Erik sings stronger than ever
before. 'Blood Enemies' has emerged to
be one of my favorite tracks of all
categories. He sings aggressively as if
he had eaten barbed wire... 'Wide Open'
is another amazing song written and
performed with timeless harmonies,
emotional vocals and lovely lyrics,
which completely embalms all my open
senses. The big monster ballad on the
album 'Live Like I'm Dying' and it is an
epic track that has everything a power
ballad should have. Sentimental song,
nice drumbeat, emotional guitar solo
that frames the whole package. Fantastic
!!!!
'Breakdown' is a cool, bluesy rock song
with dazzling guitars and catchy
melodies. Next song 'Love Bites' - a
driven song with sharp guitars and close
to maximum top speed they are capable
of. A taste of Pretty Maids flavors in
this song. I like the alert and vital
pace in the song and they seems to have
had a lot of fun recording this track.
The beautiful, strong tune 'One Life -
My Life' is softer and more in the AOR
genre. Erik sings with aplomb, power and
sentimentality at the same time. As
always is Eclipse's albums very nicely
produced. The disc ends with a full
throttle track. 'All Died Young' - a
double kick drum track with big guitars
and a worthy closing of a masterful
album, and I will have Armageddonize
with me for a very long time to come.
Thank you for these 42 minutes of
melodic rock/metal keelhauling. I'm
proud to be a Swedish hard rock fan! One
of the most secure investments you can
do this year.
No doubts: Maximum score from
me!
