As a kind if mastodont in the Metal World I have seen the market grow from small to large to massive to impossible to manage. Thet is the reason that I encounter a lot of bands that have been very active up and until now but that haven’t made it within the boundaries of my radar. TRICK OR TREAT is one of those. These Italians from Modena have been active since 2002 and I can honestly say that I am not familiar with any of the seven studio albums they have produced to date. Neither have I been confronted with massive number of singles they inundated their audience with, or even the “The Unlocked Songs” (2021) compilation that they have released. No, “A Creepy Night Live” is my first array into the world that is TRICK OR TREAT.

First of all let me start by saying that “A Creepy Night Live” sounds like a very honest, or should I say unfiltered and unaltered, live recording. It was released on December 8th, 2023 and if this gives you an inkling of the sound on their albums, then you can be looking for some uplifting Melodic Power Metal in the vein of STRATOVARIUS. Unfortunately for you, my readers, that is not exactly one of my favourites, but neither anything I would walk away from when confronted with. That is why I feel that the fact that the TRICK OR TREAT style Pony Metal (due to the wide use of galloping rhythms) has a positivity and enthusiasm to it that will easily put a smile on your face. I have done on mine.

I also like that “A Creepy Night Live” must have been recorded in Italy and therefore TRICK OR TREAT have opted to address their audience in their native language. It adds another bit of authenticity to the recordings. As for the quality of the songs, I can be quite honest and pick out any flaws, but instead I will give you that I feel that they are ranging from adequate up and until quite good, and sometimes even outstanding. But it is very simple conclusion that I can and will draw on TRICK OR TREAT and “A Creepy Night Live”. Whatever I feel about the music, this is an outstanding live recording for those who love this kind of Melodic Power Metal or Pony Metal, whatever you wish to call it.