Review: Sunroad – Eclipse of the Rising Sun
The Brazilian metal band Sunroad just dropped their eleventh full-length album since their first in 1999. Much of their musical history has gone unnoticed on our US shores, so I’ll admit, I only discovered them around the time of album six, being Wing Seven from 2017. But since then, they have continued to consistently serve up healthy doses of melodic metal for the world to enjoy, and Eclipse of the Rising Sun is another notch in the ever growing catalog of metal goodness. As their press release states:
Over the years, Sunroad has built a strong reputation in Brazil and internationally for its creative, distinctive blend of progressive rock, blues, neoclassical, and AOR influences, all rooted in the band’s melodic hard n’ heavy sound.
The self-titled opening track sets the mood, with an energetic yet beautiful acoustic classical guitar opening that lasts a bit over thirty seconds before the barrage of double-kick drumming flies in setting the pace as the ever-amazing guest vocalist Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Reign of Glory, Soul Sign, Ring Of Fire, Uli Jon Roth) takes lead on this six and a half minute track.
The band dropped the first video for the third track Blind Spot, featuring Alan Clark as a duet vocalist, bringing the intensity down a bit for this straight ahead, plodding, hard edged tune.
The seven-minute-plus power ballad “If Only” delivers an emotional message about abandoned and neglected animals, while other topics covered include inner growth and personal awakening (Spiritual), the stress and pressure of modern work life (Burnout), crying for God’s intervention (Angels Found), and apocalyptic themes (Final Act).
Some of the other tracks with hooks and groove that almost immediately grabbed me and scream next big single, include “Immanence,” “Thousands of Innocents,” and “Insane is the Night.” Overall, Eclipse of the Rising Sun features twelve tracks of hard rocking goodness, clocking in at just over sixty-minutes of music, and well-worth exploring for sure.
The record captures the essence of Sunroad’s career, showcasing stronger musicianship, deeper lyrical themes, and refined songwriting.
Available on CD from Roxx Records
Track Listing
- Eclipse of the Rising Sun
- Immanence
- Blind Spot
- Thousands of Innocents
- Angels Found
- If Only (Quod Animal Vides?)
- Burnout
- Insane is the Night
- Go and Find Your Groove
- Sun is Dark
- Anthem of Freedom
- Final Act
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