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Eclipse: Paradigm
Eclipse - Paradigm Music Review

Eclipse: Paradigm

Melodic Metal Rock
5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 02.10.2019 | Released: 11.10.2019

It's hard to believe. Sweden's Eclipse has been going strong for 20 years. Formed in 1999, they dropped their debut album, The Truth And A Little More, a mere two years later, and they've been pretty consisent ever since. Going from strength to even greater heights, Eclipse offers their seventh studio album, Paradigm.

Eclipse - Click For Larger Image

Eclipse

Cutting to the summary: Paradigm is pretty fandamntastic, everything you expect from Eclipse. Truly epic in all proportions. Get it. You will not be disappointed.

But to expand on the review a bit more, Eclipse has definitely settled into their popular melodic heavy metal rock. Go ahead and switch out "hard" for "heavy" in that sentence. I won't quibble with you. But between the sharp riffs, strong and bustling rhythm section, and Magnus Henriksson's stunning guitar solos, this sounds like metalized melodic rock. Of course, Eclipse wraps all these things in ambitious melody and harmony, rhythm and groove, catchy refrains, and arena ready AOR accessibility. And Erik Martensson is on fire behind that microphone. As songwriters and musicians, these guys are so talented, it's freakin' crazy; the songs so fine, they send chills down your spine. Such praise. Are they worthy? Oh yeah, they are worthy.

So what about the songs? Totally roaring heavy metal rock tunes. Yet here's some nuances. With Viva La Victoria and Blood Wants Blood you'll hear Henriksson's guitar sound almost America Western in tone like from a Ennio Morricone Spaghetti Western movie. But these two songs are merely more of Eclipse's energetic melodic hard rock. More blazing metal rockers come with Delirious, 38 or 44, The Masquerade, and Never Gonna Be Like You. More AORish arena songs arrive with Shelter Me and When The Winter Ends. With United, Eclipse attempts to trip you up with a lighter acoustic guitar start. Are melllowing out. Nope. The song rises to another soaring arena anthem with a brillant catchy refrain. Similar is Take Me Home where Martensson's vocals soar over big drums, building riffs, and slight synths to finish with a grand guitar solo. It's a turn on your cell phone flashlight and sing along song.

I made my conclusion earlier. It only bears repeating. With Paradigm, Eclipse delivers another awesome album of melodic heavy metal arena rock. Wonderful, and easily recommended. Quite possibly my pick for album of the year. It's that good.


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The Bottom Line

With Paradigm, Eclipse delivers another awesome album of melodic heavy metal arena rock. Wonderful, and easily recommended. Quite possibly my pick for album of the year. It's that good.

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