The brand new ECLIPSE record is finally here. This band has been pretty special for a while now (their debut dropped back in 2001) as it seems they have grown with each record but when the last album, “Bleed and Scream” hit in 2012 I was blown away. Getting to witness the band live in concert at MRF3 in Chicago, IL last year only further impressed me and made me appreciate them even more. Songs like “Wake Me Up”, “Bleed and Scream” and “Battlegrounds” all got the blood pumping and were indelibly etched into my brain. So when “Armageddonize” was announced for a February 2015 release I was excited to say the least to see if the band could continue their growth of an updated melodic hard rock style.

Opening the record is the heavy yet infectious (ie: highly melodic) “I Don’t Wanna Say I’m Sorry”. The song continues with the razor-sharp riffs present on the previous album and the chorus is pure ECLIPSE with Erik Martensson supplying his impeccable vocals in a way only few others can.

The first single off the record is “Stand On Your Feet”. Much like “Battlegrounds” was a favorite off the last record, this track is pure class with a relentless beat and gloriously melodic chorus. It’s a track that would be a good one to be an example of what this band about if someone asked me. It has all the trademarks of Martensson and is a winner all the way around.

“The Storm” continues with the high-class hard rock sound and the guitar playing from Magnus Henrikkson is worth a special nod on this one. It’s a style that is biting and in your face, similar to the great John Norum of EUROPE fame. It’s another track I’d suggest to someone if they asked what this band is all about. Their music is updated in vibe but the melodic underpinnings are what drives their sound and puts them a notch (or several) above. “Blood Enemies” continues with its galloping and anthem-like vibe that is reminiscent of so many of the bands best songs. I’d rate it up their with the best of the bands work to date.

“Wide Open” is another highly melodic piece with soaring vocals from Martensson in the chorus. That chorus drives the song and is one that will have you singing along from the get go. The first time the band lets up on the record is on “Live Like I’m Dying”. This is a great change of pace and Martensson especially shines on this smoldering number. It’s certainly not a ballad but a slow-paced, moody rocker. It is truly a great track with a perfectly moody solo from Henriksson to accompany the total vibe of the song.

“Breakdown” sees a bit of bluesy influence with the acoustic beginnings before giving way to a straight-ahead rocker. It certainly has an 80’s hard rock influence mixed with the styling’s of fellow Swedes H.E.A.T as well but the chorus is pure Martensson and ECLIPSE. I liked the change of pace from the last couple tracks but “Love Bites” comes roaring back with more heavy guitars and those glorious ECLIPSE choruses. The song has a great “attitude-infused” breakdown leading into a flashy (yet all too brief) solo.

“Caught Up in the Rush” is another rocker with a slightly more melodic showing while still maintaining the heaviness courtesy of the riff-heavy guitar and beefy production. It’s almost a trademark style to ECLIPSE’s music. Rounding out “Armageddonize” is “One Life – My Life”, which is an attitude driven song with a cool underlying node to Germany’s EDGUY at certain times while the album concludes the same way it started with another heavy rocker titled “All Died Young”. The track is equal parts in-your-face heavy and sing-a-long melodic. As I said, this is surely a trademark of ECLIPSE and Erik Martensson and they do it very well, almost to perfection I might say.

“Armageddonize” is another winner from Sweden’s ECLIPSE. The first half of the record was strong in it’s own right but I really feel the record hit a stride in the second half with a more varied selection of styles incorporated into the mix. The band is quick becoming a standard in the melodic hard rock community and anyone who appreciates classy, riff-heavy, melodic rock should look into them without a doubt. The Swedes continue to amaze!