Eclipse is a Stockholm based band formed in 1999
by singer Erik Mårtensson. The MK I line-up consisted
of Erik Mårtensson (vocals, guitar and bass), Anders
Berlin (keyboard and drums) and Magnus Henriksson (guitar).
After one demo recorded in 2000, they immediately landed on
a recording deal and released the highly acclaimed debut “The
Truth & Little More” in 2001.
As they began the pre-work with their new album Anders Berlin
decided to leave the band whilst Magnus Ulfstedt (drums) and
Fredrik Folkare (bass) were added as permanent members to
the line-up. After spending some time writing new killer songs
they headed for Wing Studios and Blowout Studios to record
their second album, entitled “Second To None”.
This time knowing exactly how they wanted the album to sound
like they decided to produce the album themselves.
Not having recruited a permanent keyboard player, the band
instead invited keyboard phenomenon Mats Olausson (Yngwie
Malmsteen) to handle the keys on the album. The current line-up
(MK II) is Erik Mårtensson (vocals and guitar) Magnus
Henriksson (guitar) Magnus Ulfstedt (drums) and Fredrik Folkare
(bass).
Second To None will appeal to all fans that enjoy the mix
of a heavy guitar approach and the big classy melodies.
Eclipse certainly know how to craft exciting melodic hard
rock, this is is exhilarating stuff from start to finish.
The vocals of Erik Mårtensson certainly exhume class,
coming across as a mix of Ray Gillen (Badlands) on opener
Always Standing to a little Steve Augeri (Journey)
on All I Do. The guy has a great
clear set of pipes that suits this music to a tee. Magnus
Henriksson has also seemingly mastered the art of playing
exactly what is required for the track, and doesn't rely on
tonnes of gain to get his sonic statements across. The guy
has some very classy lead chops too, to these ears he sounds
a like a cross between the modern day Richie Kotzen along
with a definite proportion of Neal Schon (Journey) in his
sustained melodic line. All I Do
even has a nice reference to Schon's extended work out on
the Journey classic 'Who's Crying Now'.
The majority of the album does a superb job throughout of
mixing the best 80's elements (musicianship and melodies)
with the rawer leaner productions of the 1990's. Nothing
Between Us is superb, blending a lethal verse with
a sublime chorus that is fueled by bassist Frederik Folkare.
A storming keyboard solo from Mats Olausson starts of a solo
trade off with Magnus Henrikkson, why Malmsteen failed to
utilise Olausson to this extent on his studio albums with
him is a mystery to me!? Either way this enhances the track
and brings it to a fulfilling climax.
Road To Forever is built around
a simple guitar motif, yet the musical interplay between the
other band members makes it sound so strong. Another very
strong track. Light Of Day has
a classy haunting quality about it, very atmospheric reminding
me a little initially of Rainbow's Stone Cold, any similarities
are quickly washed away with the big chorus with a strong
keyboard motif. Again Erik Mårtensson's vocals impressive
with their depth and honesty.
Second To None is quite an apt title as I cannot think of
many bands in the melodic hard rock genre that have released
an album as compelling as this! I had never heard of this
band before the promo came though my letter box, but its extremely
encouraging to see that there are still new bands in the genre
that prove it is alive and kicking, and hopefully this band
will achieve the commercial success they richly deserve with
this release.
