TRICK OR TREAT hailing from Modena, Italy were formed in 2002 and started initially as HELLOWEEN tribute band. The Power Metal outfit released two live albums and “Ghosted” is their album number eight. It was produced by Simone Mularoni (DEATHLESS LEGACY; ELVENKING; NIGHTMARE) and it has a length of almost 48 minutes. The album was released via Italian label Scarlet Records, which has many Power, Thrash, and Heavy Metal bands among their current roster. The album starts with the tension-building, cinematic intro “Lost In The Haunted House”, which seamlessly transitions into the fast “Craven Road”, a track that has 80s HELLOWEEN vibes written all over it. It is a traditional Power Metal track with powerful guitar riffs, plenty of double-bass drumming, and clean vocals, which range between the medium to higher end of the vocal range. The melodies are catchy, in particular during the choruses. A very contributing lead guitar solo sums up the good opening album track. “Bloodmoon” has a fast start with tight guitar riffing, double-bass drumming, and a first lead guitar solo. The verse parts are played at mid-tempo with thunderous riffing, while the fast chorus parts are driven by the tight riffs. The break starts frantic with a blast-beat attack leading the charge into an extended cool lead guitar solo. The vocals have support by guest vocalist Adrienne Cowan (SEVEN SPIRES), who performs the second verse part and the choruses. The title track offers a slight change in sound. “Ghosted” is a song at a measured tempo with thunderous guitar riffing, crunching basslines, epic melodies, and sing-along choruses. The track also includes a few orchestral arrangements. “Ghosted” was released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below.

“Dance With The Dancing Clown” starts with a short cinematic introduction, leading into the theatrical mid-tempo track. It comes with many backing vocals and choirs during the choruses. While verse and chorus parts are mid-tempo, the break is fast with the lead guitar solo, which includes a few classical vibes. “Polybius” goes back to the more traditional Power Metal approach with the classical guitar riffing, the lead guitars, the catchy and sing-along melodies. The track is not overly fast, but slightly faster than mid-tempo. Highlight is the break with the extended two-parted lead guitar solo. While “Polybius” is playful, “Evil Dead Never Sleeps” is more direct and it has pace. It is arguably one of the fastest album tracks. Apart from that, it is the classical Power Metal song with tight guitar riffing, double-bass drumming, anthemic choruses, and pace, pace, pace. The vocals use a few lower pitched notes during the verse parts and a few backing vocals during the choruses. There are two breaks, and two lead guitar solos included. “Return To The Monkey Island” offers a change in sound as there are many Folk Metal and pirate vibes are included into the track. It is a funny party track and who else than Christopher Bowes (ALESTORM) could have performed as a guest vocalist. “Return To The Monkey Island” will surely become a fan favourite and is probably part of every setlist in future concerts.

“Make A Difference” is a Power Metal attack with mid-tempo verse parts and fast choruses. In particular the choruses carry the traditional Power Metal flag with the tight riffs, the double-bass, and the anthemic chorus lines. Highlight is once again the extended lead guitar solo. “The 13^th” is a mid-tempo track with direct and heavy guitar riffs and plenty of double-bass drumming. The verse parts are punchy and less melodic compared to the sing-along chorus parts. The break offers a bit of a change, and it is less playful without a technical lead guitar solo, however, instead the strong basslines are driving it. The final track “Bitter Dreams” starts quiet with the deeper-lying vocals accompanied by the keyboards. As guitars, bass, and drums join in, the song maintains a measured tempo for a while, however, things change quickly into tight guitar riffing, double-bass drumming, and catchy melodies. While the verse parts are fast, the anthemic chorus parts are at mid-tempo and the vocals are supported by backing vocals. The break starts with crunching basslines and a few orchestral arrangements, before the lead guitars kick in. However, the solo is not so much in the focus of the track. The song finishes quiet as it started. “Bitter Dreams” is with almost eight minutes the longest album track and a good way to finish the album.

TRICK OR TREAT deliver their strength: traditional Power Metal. “Ghosted” has all the ingredients, which makes the genre so popular: the tight guitar riffs, the catchy melodies, the anthemic choruses, the playful and technical lead guitar solos, and in addition that, the HELLOWEEN vibes that swing all over the album. It is a versatile album with sound changes included when needed. The album is well produced. “Ghosted” is surely one of the albums named when it comes to end of year reviews and it may end up among the top Power Metal album releases in 2025.