Trick or Treat – Rabbits’ Hill Pt. 2

Trick or Treat hails from Italy and they began as a Helloween tribute band, and they do still wear their influences on their sleeves. And that’s not necessary a bad thing; all bands find inspiration somewhere and as long as you stay true to your beliefs and don’t rip others off it’s fine…

“Rabbits’ Hill Pt. 2” is the second concept album loosely inspired by famous “Watership down” novel by Richard Adams. And you don’t have to be a genius to figure out, which musical direction these Italian guys are taking us… European Power Metal with lots of melodies, harmonies and catchy choruses.

The vocalist does a fine job, but can’t completely escape his Italian accent. The band delivers a solid, yet unspectacular performance; everything is a bit too safe and predictable. A few guests have been brought in; Sara Squadrani, Tim “Ripper” Owen and Tony Kakko, to add a little extra to pot.

I wish they would have stepped out of their comfortzone more often because this is simply just too safe. “Rabbits Hills Pt. 2” is a solid product with no real surprises and no real let-downs; all in all a fine album that will please many power metal fans, but it will probably not make it onto many Best of 2016 lists either.

Best moment: “Never Say Goodbye”, “They Must Die” and “The Showdown”.

Tracklist:

1. Inle’ (The Black Rabbit of Death) (5:01)
2. Together Again (2:42)
3. Cloudrider (4:15)
4. Efrafa (6:37)
5. Never Say Goodbye (5:47)
6. The Great Escape (4:55)
7. They Must Die (6:04)
8. Beware the Train (2:37)
9. United (4:52)
10. The Showdown (10:47)
11. Last Breath (6:05)

Playing Time: 59:47

Release date: July 8, 2016

Label: Frontiers Records

Website: www.trickortreatband.com