Review: Eclipse “Bleed and Scream”

Melodic hard rock/AOR

Eclipse is a melodic hard rock band from Sweden (Erik Mårtensson - vocals/guitar/bass, Magnus Henriksson - lead guitar, Robban Bäck – drums, and Johan Berlin – keyboards) that raises the bar to new heights with each successive release. “Bleed and Scream” is the follow up record to 2008’s breakthrough, “Are You Ready to Rock”. Mårtensson has become a wunderkind in the business as a prolific songwriter and workhorse of a producer. He’s been involved with successful releases from melodic rock greats including W.E.T, Toby Hitchcock, Giant, and Jimi Jamison to name a few.

The attitude for the new recording is best summarized by guitarist Magnus Henriksson: “Every song has qualities as a single. Erik´s vocals are way better than ever. The guitar-sound is just awesome! The whole production is just in your face. It has something for everyone in it! We worked so hard at making this record that it drove us nearly nuts and made us wanna scream, but now it’s your turn to bleed and scream!”

“Bleed and Scream” is the edgiest, hardest record the band has done yet – people have often compared Eclipse to Journey, but this music has too much testosterone for that! Eclipse has come into their own, now delivering some of the thickest riffs and thunderous percussion around their sing-a-long melodies. “Bleed and Scream” also takes the lyrics up a notch, with the songs touching on worldly affairs alongside anthems of encouragement. The first four tracks may be the best consecutive stretch of melodic rock cuts on any album in this genre this year. “Wake Me Up” is a potent social commentary leading right into the ripping title track for scorned lovers. “Ain’t Dead Yet” is a forceful affirmation and “Battlegrounds” has the best chorus on the album. The only song that comes close to ballad territory is the engaging “About To Break”, otherwise it is rock that will shake your house down.

Eclipse – More info.

Check out the video for “Bleed and Scream”:

Melodic rock CD of the week: Eclipse

By Stephen Kasenda

ECLIPSE “Are You Ready To Rock” (2008)

This Stockholm-based melodic rock/metal act fronted by the talented Erik Martensson finally released their third album, "Are You Ready To Rock" in 2008 after their first album with Frontiers Records, "Second To None", four years earlier. The music is a blasting experience, cranking up the quality. Imagine Whitesnake's "1987" mixed with Europe's early heavy metal side and you get a pretty good idea of how they sound.

The first three tracks will drop your jaw - "Breaking My Heart Again" explodes like Whitesnake's "Bad Boys", "Hometown Coming" has a pumped-up tempo and raises the bar with a superb chorus, and "To Mend A Broken Heart" chops in with modern riffs before flying high again with a soaring chorus. "Wylde One" is a strange, sleazy title, but a killer song indeed. "Under The Gun" has a bit of a neoclassical piece at the chorus and is another a great track. "Unbreakable" is much more radio-friendly and my most fave song of the album, perhaps the best tune with an unmistakable perfect chorus. "Million Miles Away" is a huge commercial melodic metal tune with overwhelming riffs - another flawless attempt by the band.

I love this album from start to finish. Beware there is no ballad for the tender hearts. Eclipse values the volume, the distortion, the unmerciful fast tempos, but still retains the balance with enough melodic and commercial ingredients. "Are You Ready To Rock?" is a question raised for those who want to raise their fists and yell "Hell Yeah We Are!" This is one of 2008's highlight records, five stars, no doubt!

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Review: W.E.T. “W.E.T.”

W.E.T. is a new supergroup, the acronym standing for Work of Art (Robert Sall), Eclipse (Erik Martensson), and Talisman (Jeff Scott Soto). W.E.T. is perhaps the lamest band name since M.S.G., but we won’t hold that against them when weighing in on their music.

The self-titled debut album from this trio of AOR superstars delivers exactly what you'd expect - slick, high-gloss melodic rock. What separates this one from the pack is the extraordinary combination of talent on board - the pristine vocals of Jeff Scott Soto sound even more amazing when backed by musicians of this high caliber. These guys have an excellent chemistry and, best of all, they brought some very memorable songs to the studio that follow the classic AOR formula - driving verses, an arena-ready chorus, and astonishing guitar solos.

The hi-octane crunch in the meaty opener, "Invincible", effectively foreshadows the melodic rock goodness that is to follow. The guys come out swinging, serving up additional crowd pleasers like "One Love" and "Brothers In Arms". "Comes Down Like Rain" is an early favorite for the best power ballad on the record, but I prefer the spectacular "One Day At A Time". Additional highlights include the awesome mid-tempo rocker "I'll Be There" and "My Everything".

If you enjoy the other bands these three artists have graced, there is no doubt in my mind that you will want this debut. W.E.T. is also going to give fans who love Journey, Pride of Lions, and Giant something to smile about.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 11, 12

W.E.T. on MySpace.

Check out the video for "One Love":