Eclipse – Megalomanium II
"If you thought the title of our previous record was proof of us suffering from delusions of grandeur, then you’re absolutely right. The only way we could top it was to make another one. Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you, Megalomanium II."
So said Eclipse front man Erik Mårtensson in pre-release press for the latest album from the noted and highly successful hard melodic rockers from Sweden.
Tongue-in-cheek perhaps, but following in the footsteps from last year’s Megalomanium (the band’s eleventh album) is no bad thing.
A punchy (at times punky) and anthemic melding of glam meeting melodic rock, huge choruses, plenty of air-punching moments and carrying more hooks than an angler carries in his tackle box, Megalomanium epitomised Eclipse more than any of their previous studio albums and now twenty-five years career.
Or at least did.
Megalomanium II is a classic rock case of if it ain’t broke don’t fix it; it even follows the same 11 songs, three-and-a-half minute average time formula of its predecessor (with one notable exception; more on which later).
However, Megalomanium II adds a turbo-charged upgrade – the desire from co-founders and ever-presents Mårtensson and guitarist Magnus Henriksson (joined by brothers in rhythmic arms Philip (drums) and Victor (bass) Crusner, who joined in 2015 & 2019 respectively) to make the best album they can.
Impacting opener 'Apocalypse Blues' (originally released as an exclusive 7" vinyl single – nice to see a band keeping it old-school) underlines that desire in so small measure.
Rocking like the proverbial, the song lyrically touches on what seems like a sinking ship of a world while we all sing along, and rock on down to, "the Apocalypse Blues," in pretty fierce rock and roll fashion.
So said Eclipse front man Erik Mårtensson in pre-release press for the latest album from the noted and highly successful hard melodic rockers from Sweden.
Tongue-in-cheek perhaps, but following in the footsteps from last year’s Megalomanium (the band’s eleventh album) is no bad thing.
A punchy (at times punky) and anthemic melding of glam meeting melodic rock, huge choruses, plenty of air-punching moments and carrying more hooks than an angler carries in his tackle box, Megalomanium epitomised Eclipse more than any of their previous studio albums and now twenty-five years career.
Or at least did.
Megalomanium II is a classic rock case of if it ain’t broke don’t fix it; it even follows the same 11 songs, three-and-a-half minute average time formula of its predecessor (with one notable exception; more on which later).
However, Megalomanium II adds a turbo-charged upgrade – the desire from co-founders and ever-presents Mårtensson and guitarist Magnus Henriksson (joined by brothers in rhythmic arms Philip (drums) and Victor (bass) Crusner, who joined in 2015 & 2019 respectively) to make the best album they can.
Impacting opener 'Apocalypse Blues' (originally released as an exclusive 7" vinyl single – nice to see a band keeping it old-school) underlines that desire in so small measure.
Rocking like the proverbial, the song lyrically touches on what seems like a sinking ship of a world while we all sing along, and rock on down to, "the Apocalypse Blues," in pretty fierce rock and roll fashion.
'The Spark,' with its subtle but effective little synth keys remarks and hard driving rhythm supplied by the Crusner brothers, is modern hard Euro-rock of the highest order.
'Falling To My Knees,' bolstered by a wicked little solo from Magnus Henriksson, is a "nah-nah-nah" hybrid of that aforementioned modern Euro-rock sound and the Scorpions at their hookiest.
'All I Want' is the punkier and pacier side of Eclipse, while 'Still My Hero' bristles with an energy that is charged higher still via a personal lyric that nods to the passing of Erik Mårtensson’s father (made all the more poignant to those of us whose fathers were, indeed, our heroes).
Rock ballad 'Dive Into You' adds downtempo contrast before 'Until The War Is Over' returns to the tried & tested Eclipse Euro-rock sound, here with a subtle hint of the Celtic in the underlying melody.
The punkier side of the band resurfaces in the foot-down, frantic rock and roll of 'Divide And Conquer;' guitar, bass and drums are in full overdrive on this one while Erick Mårtensson gives it equally full-voiced, political put-down support.
The band’s post-punk energy is retained for 'Pieces,' which rocks as hard as the previous track, but here with a clever, tempo-shifting middle 8 that sets up the rockin' finish.
Penultimate track, 'To Say Goodbye,' is an atmospheric mid-tempo breakup song that, iPhones in the air truth be told, is a little formulaic.
However there is nothing formulaic or derivative about final number 'One in a Million,' which is not only the best song on the album, but one of the best songs Eclipse have yet delivered.
Breaking the three-and-a-half minute barrier (closing in on nearer six minutes), 'One in a Million' is a brooding, lyrically dark, metal-esque monster of a song that features a powerfully different vocal from Erik Mårtensson, massive chorus, choral styled backing moments and a tempo-shifting finale that rocks the album to a conclusion in much the same way as 'Apocalypse Blues' opened it.
Megalomanium II is a natural follow-on to Megalomanium but it’s also a bigger, bolder and better affair.
In short, a total eclipse of the melodic heart and hook-laden soul of a band who continue to deliver.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
'Falling To My Knees,' bolstered by a wicked little solo from Magnus Henriksson, is a "nah-nah-nah" hybrid of that aforementioned modern Euro-rock sound and the Scorpions at their hookiest.
'All I Want' is the punkier and pacier side of Eclipse, while 'Still My Hero' bristles with an energy that is charged higher still via a personal lyric that nods to the passing of Erik Mårtensson’s father (made all the more poignant to those of us whose fathers were, indeed, our heroes).
Rock ballad 'Dive Into You' adds downtempo contrast before 'Until The War Is Over' returns to the tried & tested Eclipse Euro-rock sound, here with a subtle hint of the Celtic in the underlying melody.
The punkier side of the band resurfaces in the foot-down, frantic rock and roll of 'Divide And Conquer;' guitar, bass and drums are in full overdrive on this one while Erick Mårtensson gives it equally full-voiced, political put-down support.
The band’s post-punk energy is retained for 'Pieces,' which rocks as hard as the previous track, but here with a clever, tempo-shifting middle 8 that sets up the rockin' finish.
Penultimate track, 'To Say Goodbye,' is an atmospheric mid-tempo breakup song that, iPhones in the air truth be told, is a little formulaic.
However there is nothing formulaic or derivative about final number 'One in a Million,' which is not only the best song on the album, but one of the best songs Eclipse have yet delivered.
Breaking the three-and-a-half minute barrier (closing in on nearer six minutes), 'One in a Million' is a brooding, lyrically dark, metal-esque monster of a song that features a powerfully different vocal from Erik Mårtensson, massive chorus, choral styled backing moments and a tempo-shifting finale that rocks the album to a conclusion in much the same way as 'Apocalypse Blues' opened it.
Megalomanium II is a natural follow-on to Megalomanium but it’s also a bigger, bolder and better affair.
In short, a total eclipse of the melodic heart and hook-laden soul of a band who continue to deliver.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ