Review ECLIPSE “Megalomanium II”

Swedish melodic metallers Eclipse have recorded their next musical strike with “Megalomanium II”, continuing what the guys started with the 2023 release “Megalomanium”.

Erik Mårtensson, Magnus Henriksson, Philip Crusner and Victor Crusner have written eleven new songs, of which “The Spark”, but also “Apocalypse Blues” and “Falling on My Knees” are the album’s harbingers. As expected, Eclipse manage the balancing act of having enough rock power in their songs and at the same time adding melodies that are sticky and a dentist’s delight. Equipped with a good portion of sugar, especially “The Spark” sticks in your mind right away, and singing along to the chorus of “Falling to My Knees” isn’t a difficult thing to do.

The four Swedes bring the vibe of the late 80s into the here and now and remind you of bands like Def Leppards and others. At the same time, Eclipse add enough of their own identity to the mix to make them one of the really good contemporary rock bands with a sound that is energetic and reflects the present.

“Dive Into You” is the gentle moment of the album. With a ballad-like momentum, the song goes straight to the heart before the whistling start of “Until the War is Over” announces the next shade of this album. “Divide – Conquer” is the pure melodic metal track that shows the energy that comes with Eclipse. It is one of the best songs on the album, which also includes a tearjerker called “To Say Goodbye”.

It’s up to the pounding “One in a Million” to finish off an album that includes professional rock and metal. With a great sense for catchy melodies and some good guitar power, “Megalomanium II” is an entertaining album with a generally positive vibe. It’s a colorful release that immediately blossoms and shows why the band is one of the bigger players in melodic rock.