About 15 years ago, I couldn't get enough of bands like Eclipse, in the mid to late 80's, when melodic metal bands like this were huge. Of course during the ensuing years my musical tastes have grown and I rarely listen to anything like this anymore. Having said this, Eclipse don't sound dated at all, their modern melodic sounds is quite refreshing to these ears that though that this genre was almost dead.

The follow up to 2001 highly acclaimed debut album, 'The Truth & Little More', sees a new collection of songs of high quality that the debut album's potential perhaps suggested.

The production is not as slick as I'd thought with this, almost AOR touch to the music. The songs are well played, melodic of course and hook laden. Coming across like a modern day Europe, with touches of Norwegian rockers Stage Dolls and echoes of Talisman. This four piece from Sweden, are quite surprisingly light on the keyboards, supplied by none other than Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, Mats Olassson. Most of the album's 11 songs are driven by the guitars of Magnus Henriksson, with a raunchy yet melodic tone to them, superbly held together by the crisp and clear vocals of Erik Martensson.

Fans of melodic metal will no doubt be all over this and even ex-fans like myself, will find enjoyment in this top notch release.

Label website

***

Review by Graham Boyle