I came across Swedish hard rockers ECLIPSE during a time when things weren’t going so well for me mentally, so I have kept this band on the radar since. They have released their latest offering Wired and it’s a great reminder of why I was drawn to this band in the first place. After listening to it, it’s easy to see why fans and critics are raving about this release.
It wastes no time opening up with Roses On Your Grave. It packs a punch and gives you that burst of energy no matter how down you are feeling. Their previous song Wake Me Up comes to mind as I listen to this track and that same infectious power comes through. It’s a worthy opener for a cracking album.
ECLIPSE are very consistent when it comes to writing and putting together hard rock belters that will no doubt become stadium and festival anthems. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are already. Each of these songs contain powerful vocals, brilliant guitar work, pounding bass lines and thunderous drums.
If ECLIPSE mixed their song Viva La Victoria with Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven Is A Place On Earth, this should give you an idea of what Dying Breed sounds like. Not that I am complaining, these are both great songs. The result is that Dying Breed is a great melody.
It’s a party all the time with Saturday Night (Hallelujah). It brings the loud and exciting tones that good times bring to the table. With beats that make you want to dance like no-one is watching and lyrics such as “it’s never too late and you’re never too old”, this is the uplifting tune we need at every gathering.
Run For Cover sounds slightly different to what I have heard from ECLIPSE in the past, there some more serious tones to this. Not saying it’s a bad thing at all, they pull it off whilst sticking to their core sound. It’s so catchy I was singing along to the chorus on the first listen.
The melody of Poison Inside My Heart is wonderful. The start of this track reminds me of bards in a grand hall signing of their quests due to the instruments used. It builds up brilliantly to the slick guitar solos this band have a knack for doing. This is one of my personal favourite tracks on the album.
If you want to feel powerful, there is a track that will help with that. Here’s what can find in We Didn’t Come To Lose; an empowering melody, an energetic beat, inspiring choirs and uplifting lyrics such as “for every mountain we gotta climb, for every tear we gonna cry, we carry on.”
Dead Inside takes everything great about 80s rock track, sci fi films and puts into this closing track. This is all going on whilst sticking to the core sound ECLIPSE are known for and it gives us one grand finale.
Wired will no doubt become a hard rock classic that will be treasured and cherished in years to come. It’s easy to see why long-time fans are rejoicing. One of the great things about this record is that it will appeal to a variety of music fans, not just those into hard rock. It’s a beacon of hope and positivity needed during these times of uncertainty, so I recommend giving it a spin if that’s what you’re looking for.
Rating: 9/10
Words: Lotty Whittingham
Wired is out now.
Find ECLIPSE on Facebook.
