Label: Scarlet Records
Genre: Happy Power Metal
Release Date: April 25th, 2025
Links: https://www.trickortreatband.com/
Line Up:
Alle Conti – vocals
Guido Benedetti – guitar
Luca Venturelli – guitar
Leone Villani Conti – bass
Dario Capacci – drums
Tracklist:
Lost In The Haunted House
Craven Road
Bloodmoon
Ghosted
Dance With The Dancing Clown
Polybius
Evil Dead Never Sleeps
Return To Monkey Island
Make A Difference
The 13th
Bitter Dreams
I’ve never been one for lyrics, I’m typically satisfied if melodies and harmonies provide an escape, with the occasional “woah-oah” that I can sing along to when they stick in my brain.
This latest release from Trick or Treat, the self-proclaimed happy power metal outfit, has changed all that. Why does this one capture my attention? For starters, they’ve incorporated elements from horror movies and video games – genres I love. Material from my favorite franchises makes me pay attention, like “Evil Dead Never Sleeps” inspired by “Evil Dead” and “Return to Monkey Island” from the game series bearing the same name. Who wouldn’t want music themed around Bruce Campbell’s Ash or perhaps Guybrush Threepwood? I certainly do.
Pedigree steeps the music from Trick or Treat above all else. Alessandro Conti, Twilight Force’s frontman, has brought in special guest vocalists including Chris Bowes (Alestorm) and Adrienne Cowan (Avantasia, Seven Spires), making it clear this will be fun.
As one might expect, Chris Bowes appears on “Return to Monkey Island” – appropriate given the song and game’s heavy pirate themes. If you haven’t played these games, sort it out – shame on you!
“The 13th” and “Bitter Dreams” close the album, focusing respectively on iconic film series “Friday the 13th” and “Nightmare on Elm Street“. These tracks offer a cool modern take on those cheesy horror flicks from back in the day, particularly appealing if you grew up in the 80s and watched these films upon release as I did.
Music like this should exist more – modern production, sound and delivery wrapped around nostalgia-driven content that draws in both old and new fans from the beginning.
Score 8/10
Reviewed by Adrian Hextall
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