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Eclipse: Armageddonize Deluxe Edition

Melodic Hard Rock/Metal

5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 01.04.2016

On the heels of their studio recording, Eclipse releases the Armageddonize Deluxe Edition: the full album with a live concert recording and acoustic versions of several songs. What follows, first, below is my original review of the studio album. Drop down a few paragraphs to find some comments on this special edition.

Original Review

Here's another band that does nothing half-way or half-hearted. Sweden's Eclipse is a melodic hard rock and metal juggernaut, powered by the singing and songwriting of Erik Martensson and the guitar wizardry of Magnus Henriksson. And it only took them a mere three years this time to return with a new album, Armageddonize.

Eclipse

Everything about Eclipse's sound and this album is larger than life. The rhythm section is booming and powerful in it's rock groove. Martensson writes songs that are filled with melody and catchy lyrics, and then delivers them like he's singing with his last breath. The vocal harmonies are especially immense and vigorous. Henriksson throws off riffs both heavy and melodic, then compliments them with stratosphere reaching solos. All this makes for some damn fine, spectacular, melodic songs that blur the line between hard rock and heavy metal, probably more to the latter.

This is some sweet stuff. All the songs are terrific, and there's no filler. Most every song is a rush charging hard rock. The metal edge notable throughout, but you'll definitely catch it with Blood Enemies or All Died Young, which could nearly pass for power metal. Yet, everything is so darn catchy; the melody and refrains of Blood Enemies, the mighty heavy Breakdown, or the radio-friendly Stand On Your Feet are infectious and memorable. There's a small respite with Live Like I'm Dying, but it's the heaviest ballad you're going to hear. Once more, with Armageddonize, Eclipse offers a powerful platter of their melodic hard rock and metal. Easily recommended.

Deluxe Edition

Firs, the live concert recording is pretty awesome. Best words would probably be lively and energetic. Unfortunately, I had to listen to the streaming version which put pregnant one second pause between songs, which kind of ruins the flow. I'm thinking the CD will be better. After this, you get two additional bonus songs, Come Hell Or High Water and Into The Fire originally b-sides of the Bleed and Scream single, only released via Sweden Rock Magazine. Both songs are pretty much straight up melodic metal rockers. The final three songs are Japanese bonus tracks, acoustic versions of The Storm, I Don't Wanna Say I'm Sorry, and Battlegrounds. The "acoustic" means mostly the guitars as the rhythm section, drums and bass, have a significant presence. They're all fine, but I liked I Don't Wanna Say I'm Sorry the best of the three.

Bottom line: if you liked the original version of Armageddonize , or you're simply a fan of Eclipse, the Deluxe Edition with the bonus material should definitely be on your short list to purchase. Recommended.

Eclipse - Stand On Your Feet (Official / New Studio Album / 2015)

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

If you liked the original version of Armageddonize , or you're simply a fan of Eclipse, the Deluxe Edition with the bonus material should definitely be on your short list to purchase. Recommended.

Alphabetical Index

Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]