ECLIPSE

ECLIPSE
Innovation, Hegemony, and Musical Evolution of Nordic Melodic Hard Rock

The Alchemists of "Massive Hooks" Born in Sweden

In the late 1990s, with the rise of grunge and alternative rock, the 80s-style hard rock and heavy metal that had once swept the world were labeled "outdated" and entered a winter period. However, deep in the underground of Sweden, there was a stirring to revive the genre by inheriting its traditions while utilizing modern production techniques and overwhelming songwriting abilities. At the center of this movement was ECLIPSE, formed in Stockholm in 1999.

Initially nothing more than one of many followers of traditional AOR (Adult Oriented Rock) and melodic rock, ECLIPSE transformed into the most vital band in the scene alongside the phenomenal growth of their leader and main songwriter, Erik Mårtensson. ECLIPSE's musical style is the ultimate form of "Modern Heavy Rock," blending intense melodies described as "Massive Hooks" that stay in your head after just one listen, production with modern sound pressure and sharpness, and the wild energy of a live band.

Chapter 1 Dawn: Exploration and the Quest for Identity (1999-2004)

1.1 A Fated Encounter and Initial Impulses

The story of ECLIPSE began in 1999 in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, when the then-unknown singer/guitarist/bassist Erik Mårtensson met drummer/keyboardist Anders Berlin. Meeting at a music school, they hit it off over their shared musical tastes—a fondness for 70s and 80s classic rock. Later, guitarist Magnus Henriksson, Erik's childhood friend who grew up in the same area, joined the band, forming the core lineup.

They initially signed with the British label Z Records. The band name "ECLIPSE" was proposed by the record company at the time; the members themselves did not have a strong preference for it, and an anecdote remains that it was adopted simply because "it was the best out of the names suggested."

1.2 The Merits and Demerits of the Debut Album "The Truth and a Little More"

In 2001, the band released their debut album, The Truth and a Little More. This work was produced featuring an exceptionally luxurious lineup of guests for a newcomer band. It included tracks featuring Europe's guitarist Kee Marcello, keyboardist Mats Olausson who played in Yngwie Malmsteen's band, and a duet with female singer Anneli Magnusson.

Musically, elements of progressive rock and experimental arrangements were scattered throughout, presenting a complex style distinct from their later "straight-ahead hard rock." Although Erik Mårtensson attempted to produce it himself, he later gave a harsh self-assessment of this period's work, stating it was "close to a demo tape quality" and "exposed a lack of studio experience." While critics noted that "glimpses of hooks could be seen, but the focus was unfocused," it was highly significant that a new flame of melodic rock was lit in Sweden during that "winter period."

1.3 Moving to Frontiers Records and "Second to None"

In 2004, ECLIPSE signed with Italy's Frontiers Records. This label is the powerhouse of melodic rock, handling works for legend bands like JOURNEY and TOTO, making it the ideal home ground for ECLIPSE.

Their first release after transferring, the second album Second to None, featured more focused songwriting compared to the previous work, yet the band had still not fully established "their own sound." During this period, Erik continued to hone his skills self-taught, not just as a vocalist but also as a producer and engineer, the fruits of which would fully blossom from the next album onward.

Chapter 2 Awakening: Establishment of a Modern Hard Rock Style (2008-2011)

2.1 The De Facto Debut Album: "Are You Ready to Rock"

Breaking a four-year silence, the third album Are You Ready to Rock, released in 2008, became the true starting point for the band. Erik himself openly states that "ECLIPSE started from this album," showing a clear departure from the past two works.

From this work, drummer Robban Bäck joined as part of the new rhythm section. His powerful and tight drumming became a crucial driving force in shifting ECLIPSE's sound from "soft AOR" to "edgy hard rock." Additionally, Johan Berlin, the younger brother of founding member Anders Berlin, joined on keyboards, adding depth to the sound.

Musically, a style was established where riff-driven song structures reminiscent of Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy were overlaid with the melancholy melodies characteristic of the Nordic region. Tracks like "Breaking My Heart Again" and "Wylde One" became live anthems, serving as the catalyst for making ECLIPSE's name known to melodic rock fans across Europe.

Chapter 3 Leap: Worldwide Breakout and the Arrival of the Golden Age (2012-2015)

3.1 The Impact of the Masterpiece "Bleed & Scream"

In 2012, ECLIPSE released their fourth album, Bleed & Scream, which marked the biggest turning point in their career. This album achieved a perfect fusion of the "aggressive heavy metal" and "radio-friendly AOR" that the band had pursued for years.

The title track "Bleed & Scream" was produced as the band's first official music video and spread worldwide via YouTube and other platforms. Magnus Henriksson's sharp guitar riffs, Erik's powerful and soaring vocals, and the explosive chorus work in the refrain shocked many rock fans, establishing the impression that "Sweden has ECLIPSE." With this album, the band entered the top 50 of the official Swedish chart "Sverigetopplistan" for the first time (at No. 44), opening the door to commercial success.

3.2 Erik Mårtensson's Maturity as a Songwriter

Behind this success lay the significant influence of the experience Erik Mårtensson gained through his activities in the side project W.E.T. (mentioned later). Working alongside world-renowned vocalist Jeff Scott Soto and mastering the process of creating hit songs, Erik brought that know-how back to ECLIPSE. He was establishing an unshakeable status as a composer, being selected as one of the "top songwriters in the world" in the 2019 reader poll of the Japanese heavy metal magazine BURRN!.

3.3 "Armageddonize" and Lineup Changes

In 2015, they released their fifth album, Armageddonize. Inheriting the direction of the previous work while expanding to a more stadium-rock scale, this album charted at No. 49 in Sweden.

During this period, drummer Robban Bäck, who had supported the band, departed, and Philip Crusner joined as his replacement. Philip's addition was more than just a lineup fill-in. His flashy drumming style and energetic stage performance (such as stick twirling and hyping the crowd) evolved ECLIPSE's live shows from a "show to listen to" into "captivating entertainment."

Chapter 4 Challenge: Melodifestivalen and Establishment as a Live Band (2016-2018)

4.1 "Runaways" and the Challenge of a National Event

In 2016, as a new challenge, ECLIPSE participated in "Melodifestivalen 2016," a national Swedish music program that also serves as the domestic selection for the Eurovision Song Contest.

The entry song "Runaways," newly written by Erik, focused on the theme of "fugitives continuing their journey without settling down," reflecting the band's own reality of living on tour since 1999. Competing in the fourth semi-final (held in Gävle), ECLIPSE placed 5th, narrowly missing the finals. However, their performance on prime-time television watched by millions yielded a massive promotional effect, extending the band's recognition beyond rock fans to general households.

4.2 "Monumentum" and World Tour

Capitalizing on this momentum, the sixth album Monumentum, released in 2017, featured a lineup of songs composed with a particular focus on how they would play live. Tracks like "Vertigo" and "Never Look Back" became staples of subsequent live setlists, and a tour spanning 18 shows across 9 countries was launched immediately after the album's release.

Furthermore, around this period, ECLIPSE began regularly appearing at some of Europe's largest festivals, including Wacken Open Air (Germany), Bang Your Head (Germany), Rock Fest Barcelona (Spain), and Sweden Rock Festival (Sweden). They also served as support acts for legendary bands such as Aerosmith, Scorpions, and Deep Purple, joining the ranks of top-tier bands in both name and reality.

Chapter 5 Hegemony: Anthems in the Streaming Era and the Pandemic (2019-2022)

5.1 "Paradigm" and the Biggest Hit Song "Viva La Victoria"

In 2019, the seventh album Paradigm was released. This album proved ECLIPSE's strength in the digital streaming era. The included single "Viva La Victoria" recorded tens of millions of streams on Spotify and other platforms, becoming the biggest hit song in the band's history.

During this period, the bassist position shifted from Magnus Ulfstedt to Victor Crusner, the younger brother of drummer Philip. With the rhythm section now composed of brothers, the band's groove and solidarity reached an all-time high. Victor contributed not only with his bass playing but also with backing vocals and lead vocals on certain songs (such as "High Road" live), becoming a new weapon for the band.

5.2 Live Album Under the Pandemic and "Wired"

In 2020, while worldwide tours ground to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the band continued their activities without stopping. The first official live release, Viva La VicTOURia, released that year, recorded their performance in Gothenburg, Sweden, on December 21, 2019, capturing ECLIPSE at their peak as a live band. Additionally, audio from the studio live session "Live from the Quarantine," performed during lockdown, was included as a bonus, maintaining their connection with fans.

In 2021, they released their eighth album, Wired. Packed with energetic tracks that seemed to break through the confinement of the pandemic, "Saturday Night (Hallelujah)" in particular received high acclaim as a party anthem directly descending from 80s arena rock, reminiscent of Bon Jovi and Loverboy.

Chapter 6 Present: Unceasing Creativity and "Megalomanium" (2023-Present)

6.1 Development of the "Megalomanium" Series

In 2023, they released their ninth album, Megalomanium. With this album, the band boldly incorporated elements of pop-punk and alternative rock reminiscent of Foo Fighters and My Chemical Romance alongside their traditional hard rock style, broadening their musical horizons.

Astonishingly, just one year later on September 20, 2024, they released the sequel, their tenth album Megalomanium II. This rapid consecutive release demonstrates that rather than drying up, Erik Mårtensson and Magnus Henriksson's creative drive is growing increasingly robust. Tracks from the latest work, such as "The Spark" and "Falling to My Knees," have been cut as singles and are steadily gaining views and plays on YouTube and streaming services.

6.2 Bond with Japan: 2024 Tokyo Performance

ECLIPSE boasts deep-rooted popularity in the Japanese market as well. Having previously visited Japan in 2016 and 2018, they embarked on their fourth Japanese tour in February 2024.

The performance held on February 19, 2024, at Shibuya WWW in Tokyo was packed with enthusiastic fans despite being a Monday. According to live reports, the band opened with "Roses on Your Grave" and delivered one representative track after another, including "Bleed & Scream" and "The Masquerade." Interweaving an acoustic set and a cover of Black Sabbath's "Heaven & Hell," they concluded with "Viva La Victoria," delivering a masterful performance of approximately two hours. This show reaffirmed to Japanese fans that ECLIPSE is not just a studio project, but a world-class live band.

Chapter 7: Detailed Member Profiles

Current Lineup

Name	Role	Tenure	Profile Details
Erik Mårtensson	Vocals, Guitar	1999–Present	The founder and absolute leader of the band. A multi-creator who handles not only songwriting and lyrics but also recording, mixing, and mastering. His talent is displayed not only in ECLIPSE but also in projects like W.E.T. and Nordic Union. His husky yet soaring voice and his sense for creating catchy melodies are evaluated as among the finest in the industry.
Magnus Henriksson	Lead Guitar	1999–Present	Erik's childhood friend and right-hand man. He handles everything from technical shredding to soulful, melodious solos. He frequently co-writes with Erik, and many of the riffs that form the backbone of the ECLIPSE sound are his creation.
Philip Crusner	Drums	2015–Present	Joined as the successor to Robban Bäck. His trademark is a juggling-like performance where he tosses his sticks high into the air. He has broad connections in the music industry and is said to contribute significantly to the operational side of the band.
Victor Crusner	Bass	2019–Present	Philip's biological younger brother. Joined as the successor to Magnus Ulfstedt. In addition to a tight rhythm combination with his brother, he has expanded the band's expressive range by handling backing vocals and some lead vocals. He is also known as a passionate fan of Liverpool FC.

Former Members

• Robban Bäck: Supported the band during its golden age starting from Are You Ready to Rock. Departed after joining SABATON. Currently active as a member of W.E.T. as well.
• Magnus Ulfstedt: Possesses a unique background, having served as a drummer in the early days and later returning as a bassist.
• Anders Berlin: Founding member. Involved in the first two albums.
• Fredrik Folkare: Well-known as the guitarist for the death metal band UNLEASHED.
• Johan Berlin: [Keyboards, 2006-2014] Anders' younger brother. Contributed during the period when the band's sound gained depth and thickness.

Chapter 8: Related Projects: Erik Mårtensson's Creative Empire

Erik Mårtensson's activities are not limited to ECLIPSE. The side projects he is involved with have enhanced his musical skills while mutually influencing one another.

8.1 W.E.T.

A supergroup bearing the initials of Work of Art (Robert Säll), Eclipse (Erik Mårtensson), and Talisman (Jeff Scott Soto).

• Overview: Initially started as a project driven by Frontiers Records, the songwriting chemistry between Erik and Robert Säll fused with the overwhelming vocals of Jeff Scott Soto, growing into one of the top bands in the melodic rock scene. Here, Erik primarily handles guitar, backing vocals, song creation, and production, but he also takes lead vocals on duet tracks with Jeff.
• Discography:
  • W.E.T. (2009)
  • Rise Up (2013)
  • Earthrage (2018)
  • Retransmission (2021)
  • Apex (Scheduled for release in 2025)

8.2 Nordic Union

A collaboration project with Ronnie Atkins, the vocalist of the legendary Danish band Pretty Maids.

• Overview: Started from the idea of "What would happen if Erik wrote songs like Pretty Maids?" The style features Erik writing almost all the songs and Ronnie singing. Production continued even while Ronnie battled stage 4 cancer, yielding masterpieces like Animalistic (2022). It is characterized by emotional depth and Nordic melancholy.
• Discography:
  • Nordic Union (2016)
  • Second Coming (2018)
  • Animalistic (2022)

8.3 Ammunition

A band formed with Åge Sten Nilsen, the former vocalist of WIG WAM.

• Overview: Formed in 2014. They achieved success on the Norwegian charts and advanced to the finals of Norway's Eurovision selection. It features a sound with a stronger party-rock flavor.
• Discography:
  • Shanghaied (2014)
  • Ammunition (2018)

Chapter 9: Discography

9.1 Studio Albums

Release Year	Title	Label	Charts & Special Notes
2001	The Truth and a Little More	Z Records	Debut album. Numerous guests. Contains progressive elements.
2004	Second to None	Frontiers	First release after transferring to Frontiers. Quality of melodies improved.
2008	Are You Ready to Rock	Frontiers	Establishment of the band's identity. De facto restart album.
2012	Bleed & Scream	Frontiers	Sverigetopplistan No. 44. Worldwide breakout album. The title track was a massive hit.
2015	Armageddonize	Frontiers	Sverigetopplistan No. 44. Inherited and refined the direction of the previous work.
2017	Monumentum	Frontiers	Includes "Vertigo" and "Never Look Back". Many live staples.
2019	Paradigm	Frontiers	Includes their biggest hit song "Viva La Victoria". Great success on streaming.
2021	Wired	Frontiers	Produced during the pandemic. Includes "Saturday Night (Hallelujah)".
2023	Megalomanium	Frontiers	Introduced pop-punk elements. Includes "The Hardest Part Is Losing You".
2024	Megalomanium II	Frontiers	Sequel to the previous work. Includes "The Spark". Released in September 2024.

(Note: A remade version of the 3rd album, Are You Ready to Rock MMXIV, was also released in 2014, featuring numerous bonus tracks.)

9.2 Live Albums & Video Works

Release Year	Title	Format	Content & Remarks
2020	Viva La VicTOURia	2CD/DVD, Blu-ray, LP	Records the Gothenburg performance on December 21, 2019. Also includes the studio live "Live from the Quarantine" performed during the pandemic.

9.3 Selected Singles

In ECLIPSE's discography, the following singles are indispensable milestones for discussing the band's evolution.

• Bleed & Scream (2012): A song symbolizing the band's aggressiveness. First official MV.
• Runaways (2016): Melodifestivalen entry song. Contributed to increasing recognition among the general public.
• Vertigo (2017): Lead track from the album Monumentum.
• Viva La Victoria (2019): The anthem that drove total streaming plays past 100 million (for the whole band).
• Saturday Night (Hallelujah) (2021): An homage to 80s arena rock.
• The Hardest Part Is Losing You (2023): A new departure incorporating a Foo Fighters-style approach.
• Apocalypse Blues (2024): Lead single from the latest album. Characterized by a bluesy and heavy riff.

The Significance of ECLIPSE in the Modern Rock Scene

ECLIPSE has continued to evolve for over 25 years around the rare talent of Erik Mårtensson. ECLIPSE's music is not merely nostalgic for the glory of the 80s; it serves to update those genes with modern technology and sensibilities, passing them down to a new generation.

As demonstrated by the success of projects like W.E.T. and Nordic Union, Erik's songwriting ability is acclaimed across genres, and ECLIPSE, which he leads, reigns as a "living legend" not only in Sweden but in the global melodic hard rock scene. With Megalomanium II in 2024 and W.E.T.'s new album Apex scheduled for 2025, ECLIPSE's wellspring of creativity knows no drying up, and they will undoubtedly continue to provide enthusiastic anthems to rock fans in the future.