Eclipse – Megalomanium II

You know, I’d like to think I’m pretty good at deciphering secret codes, Easter eggs, or whatever other subliminal messages bands throw our way via album art or music itself (frontwards and backwards!). And yet I have to hand it to my favorite hard rockin’ Swedes, Eclipse, for pulling a quick one that couldn’t have been more obvious. Earlier this year, in a Facebook fan group, one clever fan noticed the strange spelling of their last album title on its cover: “MegalomanIum”. Would the presence of a capital I imply the subsequent arrival of a follow up, “MegalomanIIum“? Indeed, it does.

Just a little over a year since their last full length, Eclipse are back with the aptly titled Megalomanium II. Similar to its predecessor, MII (for simplification purposes) expands upon the poppy hard rock formula established on 2019’s Paradigm, and really takes it into overdrive. Sure, there are the occasional flashes of their AOR roots and celebrated metal era, but for the most part, this is a straightforward hard rock affair that more often than not leans closer to pure pop rock. In this regard, one might say it’s the most accessible Eclipse album to date, which speaks volumes for a band known for writing accessible songs.

Contrary to its title, “Apocalypse Blues” is far from a humble blues rocker, but rather a larger than life arena rock anthem that Eclipse is synonymous for. With its massive guitars, drums, and hooks, it’s a strong start to a high energy affair. The chugging dance-friendly ABBA metal of “The Spark” keeps the party going, as does the infectiously catchy “Falling to My Knees” with its KISS-esque riffage. From there, things get a tad unpredictable. “All I Want” revisits the pop punk leanings introduced on the first Megalomanium, as does “Pieces”. Perhaps it’s because I just saw Sum 41 at Riot Fest this past weekend, but I found myself enjoying these short and sweet rockers more than I usually would.

“Dive Into You” serves as the obligatory AOR ballad, while “Still My Hero” and “To Say Goodbye” sound like lost slabs of ’00s pop rock in the vein of The Killers, which is probably the first and last time you’ll hear me mention that band in this here webzine. Unsurprisingly, the fiery “Divide & Conquer” is my choice cut, barraging the listener with the same euro power metal ethos that fueled 2012’s Bleed & Scream. Equally as brilliant is the closing “One in a Million”, which showcases the band’s knack for heavy, lumbering, pomp-infused metal.

As much as I selfishly wish Eclipse would drop another full fledged metal album, chock full of songs like “Divide & Conquer” and “One in a Million”, I find myself pleased nevertheless by this latest musical grab bag approach of theirs. Somewhere between arena rock, traditional metal, AOR, pop punk, and pop rock lies Eclipse, ready to take on the world at the drop of a dime. The question remains: Is the world ready for them? Armed with their over the top Scandi-rock charm, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be!

7 out of 10

Label: Frontiers Records

Genre: Hard Rock

For fans of: H.E.A.T, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi