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Trick or Treat – The Legend of the XII Saints

Trick or Treat has released their new album The Legend of the XII Saints. In this new album power metal fans will get a great musical experience of legendary tales set to powerful music.

For me, Trick or Treat is a band that vocally has always reminded me of the early Helloween years with Michael Kiske at the helm and the music with influences of bands such as Helloween, Gamma Ray and of course Rhapsody of Fire (Alessandro Conti has performed as part of Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody). I was intrigued when I heard they had plans to release a new album. Then getting the list of tracks, I could tell there was a story that would unfold. All but the intro/outro track names started with an astrological sign and that screamed to me to expect something different.

The Legend of the XII Saints starts off with a short intro with Ave Athena that sets the stage for listeners embarking on the journey. The album immediately unleashes into ARIES: Stardust Revolution with heavy power metal riffage, maniac drumming tempos and shortly after, enter Conti’s vocals. The tempo is intense, the vocals hitting the highest power metal range all while telling a tale through the lyrics. It’s big, it’s cinematic. I was instantly hooked on this new album.

I sat back and just absorbed what was laid out in front of me and as each track transitioned into the next, I was given an unexpected listening experience. Enigmatic guitar riffs, classic vocals, a mixture of mildly slower and manic drum beats per minute, then the glorious guitar solos that often mixed in dueling guitars. Even without vocals, the music tells a tale on it’s own. It’s an incredible music story, quite honestly it’s a masterpiece in my opinion. This is one of those iconic albums like Helloween’s Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1 was for me all those years ago. I can see this being a part of my playing collection from here on out.

Just when I thought I was completely getting what they were doing on this album they throw CANCER: Underworld Wave at me and the intro took me by surprise with a very Lordi feel to it with keyboards, I did not expect that at all. The full track ripped. What a way to mix the album up with an unexpected element. Listeners will get to experience this again with VIRGO: Tenbu Horin.

Pay close attention on the fourth track GEMINI: Another Dimension if you are a Beast In Black fan. There is a special guest appearance in this track by Yannis Papadopoulos, but you really have to listen closely because of how well both Conti and Papadopoulos’ vocals are.

One of the other big points for me was how singable this album is for the fans who want to sing along. Though most all of us can never hit the notes Conti can, we can sure have a great time trying to! Fans will have ample opportunities to headbang and rejoice in a well done album.

Listeners should expect a slow down at some point on this album, there’s no way they could possibly do this album live going full force the entire time. At the tenth track that slow down comes with SAGITTARIUS: Golden Arrow. It’s a heavy power ballad, with guitars that wane and also has an infusion of Italian vocals to switch up the feel. Perfectly placed and while slow it also continues to build on the listening experience already set upon the listeners.  Enjoy the break in momentum because it doesn’t last as the tempo picks back up immediately with CAPRICORN: Excalibur.

The album will continue with the final three intense tracks before reaching the last track on the album, Last Hour (The Redemption) that slows down into an acoustic style track that brings the listener out of the manic experience and slowly sends them back into their current reality.

In summary: Trick or Treat had a few tricks and a lot of treats for music lovers to enjoy. This was a great experience from a band I’ve enjoyed for many years now. You should take some time with this album, give it at least two full spins before making any judgments. I heard more the second time around than the first which really solidified how I feel about this new album. Bravo to Trick or Treat releasing a great album with The Legend of the XII Saints.

Trick or Treat
Titel: The Legend of the XII Saints
Genre: Power Metal
Skivbolag: Scarlet Records
Releasedatum: 2020-4-24
Betyg: 5/5
Bästa låtar: CANCER: Underworld Wave, ARIES: Stardust Revolution

Band:
Alessandro Conti (Voice)
Guido Benedetti (Guitar)
Luca Venturelli (Guitar)
Leone Villani Conti (Bass)
Luca Setti (Drums)

Guest Vocals:
Yannis Papadopoulos (Beast In Black) – GEMINI: Another Dimension

Produced by Eddy Cavazza & Trick or Treat; mixed and mastered by Eddy Cavazza
Artwork by Alessandro “Alle” Conti

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