Trick Or Treat – Ghosted

Trick Or Treat
Ghosted
Label: Scarlet Records
Out: April 25^th, 2025
Playing time: 47:24

Until now, I didn’t recognise the Italian speed power Metal band Trick Or Treat too much. With the exception of ‘Creepy Symphonies’ But this sentence in the press info made me sit up and take notice.

‘Ghosted’ is the album that definitely marks the new Trick Or Treat course, where the classic power happy metal mixes with terrifying and yet funny horror atmospheres.

So, I listened to the eighth album by the band from Modena (Emilia-Romagna). And I decided to listen to it several more times. Why? Later on. Trick or Treat originally started out in 2002 as a Helloween tribute band. The live album ‘Italian Helloween Tribute’ was released one year later. The first studio album was not released until October 2006. Further releases followed at regular intervals. A look at the line-up shows that now, more than twenty years later, there are still three founding members in the band. An impressive continuity. But now let’s talk about the songs on ‘Ghosted’.

Of course, an intro is a must on an album like this. Under the name ‘Lost In The Haunted House’, it offers more than many other intros. No sound gimmicks, but rather a melodic line that makes it a short overture. The first regular song ‘Craven Road’ gets off to a powerful and melodic start. In the style of earlier Trick Or Treat albums, we move into the waters of the Rhapsody universe. But as early as ‘Bloodmoon’ you can hear that things can be done differently. Powerful Melodic Metal, with beautiful guitar melodies and a driving double bass. But the decisive difference is made by guest singer Adrienne Cowan (Seven Spires). And the growls that accompany her vocals (do they also come from Alle Conti?). Later, Adrienne also joins in the screaming. That gives this song some rough edges. The title track ‘Ghosted’ is more of a classic mid-tempo rocker. It’s one of the best I’ve ever heard from the band. ‘Dance With The Dancing Clown’ starts with a circus-sounding keyboard tapestry introduction. Not unexpected for this song title. Later on, the vocals sound a bit weird at times. But of course, beautiful melodies with huge choruses also dominate. This is followed by the Power Metal anthem ‘Polybius’. In ‘Evil Dead Never Sleeps’, the guitars sound really heavy, and the double bass ensures a high tempo. In contrast, there are some cheesy keyboard tapestries at the beginning. But fortunately, only briefly. ‘Return To Monkey Island’ is the next surprise. The title suggests that we are in a pirate environment. And the fact that the song sounds very much like Alestorm is down to guest singer Christopher Bowes. The duet with Alle is more than convincing. ‘Make A Difference’ is the next Power Metal anthem. ‘The 13th’ offers great Power Metal, at least after the short introduction is behind us. Heavy guitar riffs and the double bass characterise the song. The almost eight-minute epic ‘Bitter Dreams’ forms the finale. After some synth sounds, we hear an acoustic ballad. Alessandro Conti’s vocals sound very calm. He shows what a gifted singer he is. Later, the song develops into a great power ballad with strong guitar hooks. In between, there are some faster sections that would also add the finishing touches to a Metal anthem. A children’s choir sings at the very end.

So at least Trick Or Treat have made me a new fan with ‘Ghosted’. I’ve never heard the band so varied before. ‘New Wave of Italian Power Metal’ (NWoIPM). I know that we’ve been overrun with these and similar terms recently. But from my point of view, this describes the Italians’ new style very well. I’d like more of that.

Trick Or Treat – Ghosted: https://youtu.be/iUFAi___2tE?si=ZIKWhT4eSPAOV3SP

Lineup:

Alessandro “Alle” Conti – Vocals
Guido Benedetti – Guitar
Luca Venturelli – Guitar
Leone Villani Conti – Bass
Dario Capacci – Drums

Track list:

• 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