Album Review – TRICK OR TREAT – Rabbit’s Hill Pt 1

February 20th, 2013 by david.wilson

Valery Records (Release Date – Out now)

Power metal bands and concept albums go hand in hand. There have been many over the years about magic, Norse gods, mountain kings etc, and now rabbits, yup, rabbits!

Rabbit’s Hill Pt 1 is an album based on the Richard Adams book Watership Down and I must admit I was sceptical about the album content before it even entered the CD player. However once the music kicks in you know you are on to a winner. Trick Or Treat have been together for the past 10 years and this is album number three from the guys. The fact the band have been together for so long is evident in their playing and songwriting which is top notch. They originally formed as a Helloween tribute act, they have also toured with the band over the years and their influence is evident in their epic power metal sound.

After a quick intro track, the band kick into ‘Prince With A Thousand Enemies’ which rides on a wave of double bass drums and a twin guitar assault. The guitar playing throughout the album is excellent with Luca Cabri and Guido Benedetti proving that they really know their stuff. Frontman Alessandro Conti has a great vocal range and puts it to good use with some great soaring vocals.

There are plenty of highlights on the disc including ‘False Paradise’ which has a great chorus and the album title track which contains some fantastic lead guitar work. One or two tracks though are a little less convincing namely ‘Spring In The Warren’ which was a bit to cheesy for my liking and the slightly bizarre instrumental track ’Sasso Spasso’, which I must admit did make me smile.

The song though that filled me with most trepidation upon first listening is the final track on the album which is a cover of Art Garfunkel’s ‘Bright Eyes’ which is given a power metal ballad makeover. The guys though actually do a good job on this, and have turned it into one of the highlights of the album.

As I said, I did have reservations prior to listening to Rabbit’s Hill Pt 1, but it is well worth tracking down as Trick Or Treat are a fine power metal outfit. Still not too sure about the rabbit concept though.

4/5

David Wilson

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