After being pleasantly surprised by Trick or Treat’s Rabbits Hill Part 1 (review here) a few years ago I have been awaiting the arrival of Part 2 ever since.
It’s not (arguably at least) the done thing in power-metal circles to do concept albums let alone one based on a story about fluffy bunnies looking for a new home. And then to make it a two-parter……..quite ambitious.
Trick or Treat have pulled it off with aplomb with Rabbits Hill Part 2 completing the tale in some style with a stonker (that’s stonker folks, not stinker, it means jolly good where I come from……) of an album full of power, melody, scorching riffage and fretwork coupled with a nice sense of humour too. Marvellous.
The book on which this is all based, Watership Down, is at times a deceptively dark ride which the band has managed to capture to without affecting the overall feel-good factor of proceedings.
These boys sometimes sound more like Helloween than Helloween themselves. An example being the opening track Inle’ (the Black Rabbit of Death) which gallops along like anything ‘ween have come up with in recent years. It’s excellent.
But it’s much more than a Germanic style power metal clone. Trick or Treat can mix it all up in their own style too. The power metal is at the root of it all though inter-woven throughout is a fine sense of melody amongst the big chords, riffs and screaming solos.
The pace changes too with some excellent slower parts mixed in and even a very fine slower ballad style with Never Say Goodbye.
Bit overall this is melodic metal at it’s best. He’s the video for one of my favourites – Cloudrider. Has it all. Big vocals, big riffs, fine twin guitar work and a throbbing rhythm section. Great!
Tim “Ripper” Owens gets a guest slot on the very meaty They Must Die with a lung-busting performance. So there’s the NWOBHM connection too.
The whole album doesn’t miss a Trick (or a Treat). Well constructed, well paced, powerful, melodic, expertly done.
The band flex both their musical muscle and creativity throughout for a very fine melodic power metal offering which is nothing less than a very enjoyable listen at all times. Allesandro Conti’s voice fits perfectly with a range and power to match the muscular guitar.
With Rabbits Hill Part 2, Trick or Treat show they are up there with the likes of Helloween, Gamma Ray et al and can hold their own with such company. Most certainly a recommended addition to your CD collection.
>> TRICK OR TREAT RABBITS HILL PART 2 ON AMAZON HERE <<
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