Ok, it's official!

[Andrew]

Thanks Andrew! So what exactly is the concept on this record? I've heard the five songs from Vegas, but I still can't piece together a theme. Is it just their "views about the world and life" like Cain said or is there an actual theme?

Love and life. Simple as that. The ways it fucks us up, the ways it lives thru all of us. The way we crave it...life's curve balls. That's what I'm getting out of the lyrics.

[Melissa]

I can't wait to see what the people who didn't want Journey to take a harder direction, oh, a few years ago, have to say about it after some spins. I hope it's so hard they can't walk straight for weeks.

[S2M]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

You don't want it to be good.

Wrong. To me, this is like going from RATKOS to ELAHE....ROR being ELAHE, and the last 4 albums/EP have been RATKOS.

I wish Journey would get their asses together and realize their legacy. An SP-led Journey with a diminished voice is better than the trash they've been releasing for 10 years....sorry.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^word!

[VirgilTheart]

Ok.

ECLIPSE is a MASTERPIECE.

There...I've said it.

The difference between Revelation and Eclipse is the same difference between Generations and Revelation. It is simply stunning.

This has been on daily constant rotation for a while now....it has plenty of time to sink in or wear off and it simply gets better and better. It's RAW though...well mixed, with so much going on, but it has such raw energy.

As Don quoted from my Twitter feed - it is heavy....but VERY melodic. The constant wall of guitars on this record is unbelievable. EVERY song features wailing solos and rocking riffs. The songs are LONG. Most over 6 mins, a few under.

The live YouTube clips are MUD compared to the finished product.

It is one of the boldest, bravest moves I have heard from a classic rock band. Maybe EVER as far as a band of this age. There are so many twists and turns, it is almost progressive in places. This record will likely scare the shit out of middle-America and the Perryloon fan club members.

It's dark and moody and heavy, but melodic and uplifting at the same time.

It features some utterly amazing guitar work. Neal sounds like 5 guitarists in one on some tracks. So much to absorb. Deen is a frickin machine. He has never pounded so hard on those skins, not even in Hardline.

Arnel - fuck me. What a stunning vocal performance. STUNNING. His vocals are a MILE in front of Revelation (and how good were those anyway!).

There is no way this band could EVER have recorded tis album with Steve P. No offence to Steve, but it simply rocks so much and Arnel is pushed the outer limits of human ability with some wailing vocals. And you know what - he spends a lot of the album signing in his own natural timbre, not trying to be SP or anyone else. And it works so well.

The songs - not one week moment on there at all. Not one song I would ever skip due to any particular mood. It has to be played thru from start to finish every time - but you'll need over 60 mins to do so!

More thoughts to come - but this has to be considered a classic. Simply put - it is one of the FINEST albums I have heard in my time running this site and has immediately declared itself to be one of my favourite Journey albums EVER.

Mr. Infinity and Mr. Frontiers; your shared title of "VT's Favorite Journey Album(s)" may have just been taken by the upcoming Mr. Eclipse. Have a nice day...

That said, this really has me stoked and I can't wait to hear it all for myself. Thanks for the info, Andrew!

[Andrew]

ANDREW


Are any of the songs on the album as heavy or even heavier than Journey songs like "One More" "Castles Burning" "Edge Of The Blade" "Out Of Harms Way?"

Is every song heavy, or are there any ballads?

Is there even one song on the album that's as heavy as Soul Sirkus at their heaviest?

WAAAAY heavier. Heaviest Journey have ever sounded over the course of a whole album. There are 2 main ballads - but neither is what you would consider your typical Journey ballad. I'll go into song details soon.
There is also a really commercial anthem that is just pure Raised On Radio but heavier. And an acoustic track that turns psycho!

Yes, it is as heavy as Soul Sirkus, but in a different way. Generations, TBF and SS all sound different to this record - this record just has more guitars! The sound is so thick and the drum sound kicks TBF's ass!!!!!!!!

[Jana]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

You don't want it to be good.

Wrong. To me, this is like going from RATKOS to ELAHE....ROR being ELAHE, and the last 4 albums/EP have been RATKOS.

I wish Journey would get their asses together and realize their legacy. An SP-led Journey with a diminished voice is better than the trash they've been releasing for 10 years....sorry.

You don't get it. Perry will never sing again live, Journey or no Journey. He hasn't performed live nor put out anything in 15 years. He's left the building for good. Perry will never sing live with "a diminished voice," it appears. It may be good enough for the fans. I guess it's not good enough for him.

And I love Arrival and really enjoy Revelation.

And I love RATKOS. It was a grower. But I am like Jeremey with Raoul and The Kings of Spain, it stays in rotation at some point throughout the year, which surprised me because it didn't knock me over at first for a long time. It was a grower. Loving it for over a decade is the sign of a good album imo, but it's not for every TFF fan, I agree. The same for Eclipse with Journey, I'm sure, for the fanbase. Some will love it, some won't.

[Glenn]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

You don't want it to be good.

Wrong. To me, this is like going from RATKOS to ELAHE....ROR being ELAHE, and the last 4 albums/EP have been RATKOS.

I wish Journey would get their asses together and realize their legacy. An SP-led Journey with a diminished voice is better than the trash they've been releasing for 10 years....sorry.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^word!

Did you really just quote yourself?

[Andrew]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

Anthrax and King Diamond are metal you tool. Journey is not metal - but this is HEAVY and MELODIC and CATCHY. Catchiest set of tunes I can recall. As for Journey having no identity, that doesn't even warrant a response.

Let me just aay there are zero vocal limitations on this record.

[S2M]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

Anthrax and King Diamond are metal you tool. Journey is not metal - but this is HEAVY and MELODIC and CATCHY. Catchiest set of tunes I can recall. As for Journey having no identity, that doesn't even warrant a response.

Let me just aay there are zero vocal limitations on this record.

Yep....leather jacket time.

[Andrew]

An SP-led Journey with a diminished voice is better than the trash they've been releasing for 10 years....sorry.

[Ehwmatt]

Wow Andrew... you just fired me up for this album big time. Given the progressive feel of the album and the increased emphasis on guitars, what role do Cain's keyboards play here? Are we talking atmospheric type shit like early Dream Theater? A reduced piano role? Or are the keys simply not much there?

[Jana]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

You don't want it to be good.

Wrong. To me, this is like going from RATKOS to ELAHE....ROR being ELAHE, and the last 4 albums/EP have been RATKOS.

I wish Journey would get their asses together and realize their legacy. An SP-led Journey with a diminished voice is better than the trash they've been releasing for 10 years....sorry.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^word!

Did you really just quote yourself?

Does it really surprise you, JSS? S2M is his own cheerleader.

[JRNYFan]

Here's the real question, Andrew. Is Eclipse better than WET?

[Glenn]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

Anthrax and King Diamond are metal you tool. Journey is not metal - but this is HEAVY and MELODIC and CATCHY. Catchiest set of tunes I can recall. As for Journey having no identity, that doesn't even warrant a response.

Let me just aay there are zero vocal limitations on this record.

Yep....leather jacket time.

Though your thought proving opinions are welcome...cough....Your cred as an objective non-biased "review" of music is about as relevant as most of your music collection.

You already knew you would hate the new cd...You want to hate the new cd...if if you deny this, then you are "fucking lying through your pearly whites...."



But by all means homes...Hate as much as you want...It's your God given right as an American.

[Glenn]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

You don't want it to be good.

Wrong. To me, this is like going from RATKOS to ELAHE....ROR being ELAHE, and the last 4 albums/EP have been RATKOS.

I wish Journey would get their asses together and realize their legacy. An SP-led Journey with a diminished voice is better than the trash they've been releasing for 10 years....sorry.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^word!

Did you really just quote yourself?

Does it really surprise you, JSS? S2M is his own cheerleader.

I just got the image of him with Danger Danger pom poms...

[Journey/Survivor]

ANDREW


Are any of the songs on the album as heavy or even heavier than Journey songs like "One More" "Castles Burning" "Edge Of The Blade" "Out Of Harms Way?"

Is every song heavy, or are there any ballads?

Is there even one song on the album that's as heavy as Soul Sirkus at their heaviest?

WAAAAY heavier. Heaviest Journey have ever sounded over the course of a whole album. There are 2 main ballads - but neither is what you would consider your typical Journey ballad. I'll go into song details soon.
There is also a really commercial anthem that is just pure Raised On Radio but heavier. And an acoustic track that turns psycho!

Yes, it is as heavy as Soul Sirkus, but in a different way. Generations, TBF and SS all sound different to this record - this record just has more guitars! The sound is so thick and the drum sound kicks TBF's ass!!!!!!!!

How many songs are there on "Eclipse?"

Survivor had a drastic change in a much harder direction on their "Too Hot To Sleep" album as opposed to their "When Seconds Count" album. Is Journey's harder Rocking direction on "Eclipse" as opposed to that of "Revelation" as drastic, or even more drastic?

[S2M]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

You don't want it to be good.

Wrong. To me, this is like going from RATKOS to ELAHE....ROR being ELAHE, and the last 4 albums/EP have been RATKOS.

I wish Journey would get their asses together and realize their legacy. An SP-led Journey with a diminished voice is better than the trash they've been releasing for 10 years....sorry.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^word!

Did you really just quote yourself?

Does it really surprise you, JSS? S2M is his own cheerleader.

I just got the image of him with Danger Danger pom poms...

I just the image of you with tits, hitting me with your purse.....

[Glenn]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

You don't want it to be good.

Wrong. To me, this is like going from RATKOS to ELAHE....ROR being ELAHE, and the last 4 albums/EP have been RATKOS.

I wish Journey would get their asses together and realize their legacy. An SP-led Journey with a diminished voice is better than the trash they've been releasing for 10 years....sorry.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^word!

Did you really just quote yourself?

Does it really surprise you, JSS? S2M is his own cheerleader.

I just got the image of him with Danger Danger pom poms...

I just the image of you with tits, hitting me with your purse.....

You are talking about my avatar, right?

[Andrew]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

You don't want it to be good.

Wrong. To me, this is like going from RATKOS to ELAHE....ROR being ELAHE, and the last 4 albums/EP have been RATKOS.

I wish Journey would get their asses together and realize their legacy. An SP-led Journey with a diminished voice is better than the trash they've been releasing for 10 years....sorry.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^word!

Talking to yourself to boost your point? Now I've seen it all

[S2M]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

You don't want it to be good.

Wrong. To me, this is like going from RATKOS to ELAHE....ROR being ELAHE, and the last 4 albums/EP have been RATKOS.

I wish Journey would get their asses together and realize their legacy. An SP-led Journey with a diminished voice is better than the trash they've been releasing for 10 years....sorry.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^word!

Talking to yourself to boost your point? Now I've seen it all

I got stuck as last post of previous page....so I quoted myself. What's up Fonz?

[Andrew]

Wow Andrew... you just fired me up for this album big time. Given the progressive feel of the album and the increased emphasis on guitars, what role do Cain's keyboards play here? Are we talking atmospheric type shit like early Dream Theater? A reduced piano role? Or are the keys simply not much there?

2 tracks feature keys in lead role - one of them being the beautiful, haunting power do force ballad - the other tracks keys, piano and organ are used to fatten the sound. They are there, you just have to listen hard at times.

[S2M]

Wow Andrew... you just fired me up for this album big time. Given the progressive feel of the album and the increased emphasis on guitars, what role do Cain's keyboards play here? Are we talking atmospheric type shit like early Dream Theater? A reduced piano role? Or are the keys simply not much there?

2 tracks feature keys in lead role - one of them being the beautiful, haunting power do force ballad - the other tracks keys, piano and organ are used to fatten the sound. They are there, you just have to listen hard at times.

Judging by your rave review, seems you are most of the time.....

[Andrew]

Here's the real question, Andrew. Is Eclipse better than WET?

Two different records....

But I will say that it's better than just about everything I have heard in years.

[Jana]

Heavy and melodic...but is it catchy? With 'heavy and melodic' you could be talking about Anthrax. With 'dark and moody' you could be talking about King Diamond...neither is catchy.

And a 5 guitared layer of sound? hard to duplicate in concert. Journey has always been a band that releases stuff based on the current limitations of it's lead singer. I have no doubt that SP couldn't sing this album. I'm sure he wouldn't want to either.

Journey has no identity, and hasn't since TBF. And it's sad, really....

You don't want it to be good.

Wrong. To me, this is like going from RATKOS to ELAHE....ROR being ELAHE, and the last 4 albums/EP have been RATKOS.

I wish Journey would get their asses together and realize their legacy. An SP-led Journey with a diminished voice is better than the trash they've been releasing for 10 years....sorry.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^word!

Did you really just quote yourself?

Does it really surprise you, JSS? S2M is his own cheerleader.

I just got the image of him with Danger Danger pom poms...

LOL

[VirgilTheart]

WAAAAY heavier. Heaviest Journey have ever sounded over the course of a whole album. There are 2 main ballads - but neither is what you would consider your typical Journey ballad. I'll go into song details soon.
There is also a really commercial anthem that is just pure Raised On Radio but heavier. And an acoustic track that turns psycho!

Yes, it is as heavy as Soul Sirkus, but in a different way. Generations, TBF and SS all sound different to this record - this record just has more guitars! The sound is so thick and the drum sound kicks TBF's ass!!!!!!!!

The two main ballads; based on what you're saying, I'm thinking of the songs being more akin to "What I Needed" rather than "Faithfully". Is this guess accurate?

And an acoustic track? HELL YES.

[Andrew]

How many songs are there on "Eclipse?"

Survivor had a drastic change in a much harder direction on their "Too Hot To Sleep" album as opposed to their "When Seconds Count" album. Is Journey's harder Rocking direction on "Eclipse" as opposed to that of "Revelation" as drastic, or even more drastic?

12 tracks...

It's about as dramatic a change as a melodic band can get while still remaining a melodic rock band. This isn't a metal album - it's a melodic hard rock release with some slammin' songs and shitloads of guitars. Heavier than Too Hot To Sleep.

[Glenn]

ANDREW

Do you have a favorite track ?

Is it one of the songs recently played live?

Will Gregg Rolie wish he were a part of this recording ?

[Jana]

Here's the real question, Andrew. Is Eclipse better than WET?

Two different records....

But I will say that it's better than just about everything I have heard in years.

Does that kind of tantric vibe/Middle Eastern vibe on Chain of Love appear on other songs, and, if so, is it a theme throughout like they mentioned in interview?

I loved Resonate and Chain of Love right off the bat (yes, even from youtube), because I loved the hooks and melody. But Edge of Moment intrigued me, but hard to get a grasp of it from youtube. Is it as good (or as great) as I am hoping it will be? It sounds like progressive rock to me and seems to have a great moody vibe.

[Andrew]

WAAAAY heavier. Heaviest Journey have ever sounded over the course of a whole album. There are 2 main ballads - but neither is what you would consider your typical Journey ballad. I'll go into song details soon.
There is also a really commercial anthem that is just pure Raised On Radio but heavier. And an acoustic track that turns psycho!

Yes, it is as heavy as Soul Sirkus, but in a different way. Generations, TBF and SS all sound different to this record - this record just has more guitars! The sound is so thick and the drum sound kicks TBF's ass!!!!!!!!

The two main ballads; based on what you're saying, I'm thinking of the songs being more akin to "What I Needed" rather than "Faithfully". Is this guess accurate?

And an acoustic track? HELL YES.

Acosutic as in Led Zeppelin meets Rush and Triumph

The ballads are original for the band - the big one is simply stunning and vocally insane.

[fredinator]

WOW Andrew--you made my day and probably Neal's too come to think of it--thanks very, very much!! Is this the album that you declared to be the best album of the year or something on your front page a month or so ago? I am so looking forward to getting it! If they don't add Austin or San Antonio to their tour I guess I'll have to go to Houston or Dallas.. Wish I could go to Europe and see them at Graspop.. Do they have any plans for Australia did anyone mention to you, lol? How freaking exciting--thanks again Andrew!!!