Megalomanium II

Megalomanium II is Eclipse's tenth album, a companion written and recorded at the same time as the previous Megalomanium. Mindful of how music is consumed today, the band chose to split a large body of songs across two staggered releases. According to Erik Mårtensson, this record is even closer than its predecessor to the image most people hold of Eclipse — huge choruses, beautiful melodies and outstanding guitar. It is a gem of modern melodic hard rock that fires off huge hooks. The opener "Apocalypse Blues," an anthemic song cascading in from pulsing synths, vividly opens the album. From the catchy drive of the singles "The Spark," "Falling to My Knees" and "All I Want" to the racing, heavy "Divide & Conquer" and the emotional "Pieces," songs of wide range line up. Magnus Henriksson's brilliant guitar and the robust rhythm section of the Crusner brothers support the whole record, and Erik Mårtensson's singing shines throughout. It is a powerful album showing the strength of a band still evolving twenty-five years after its formation.