TRICK OR TREAT

"Ghosted" (Scarlet Records; 2025)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

Yeah, I know it's weird reviewing a Halloween-themed album in April, but that's when Trick or Treat's "Ghosted" was officially released and it's just way too much fun to wait until Halloween to review it.

If you're into fast-paced power metal with muscled guitar riffs, symphonic vocals and a crushing rhythm section—with some horror-themed lyrics, atmosphere and sound effects thrown in—then "Ghosted" is for you. It's eleven bigger-than-life tracks that explode out of your speakers/headphones/earbuds like a wall of sound. Epic choruses surround you, eerie music sets the stage, and the crushing power metal pushes you back into your seat with brute force and sonic intensity.

My favorite tracks were the pirate-themed "Return to Monkey Island," "The 13th," complete with its Jason Voorhees-style "ch-ch-ch, hah, hah, hah" and the sinister "Craven Road."

Props also to the album cover, which could be a Far Side cartoon all on its own.

Sure, this album would probably play better closer to October 31st but it plays pretty damn good right now. Fans of power and/or horror metal should pick up "Ghosted" as soon as they can get their skeletal hands on it.

For more information, check out https://www.trickortreatband.com/.

"Creepy Symphonies" (Scarlet Records; 2022)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

Obviously, an album entitled "Creepy Symphonies" by a band called Trick or Treat—with cover art featuring ghosts and skeletons cavorting in a graveyard—should have been reviewed in October during the season of Halloween. That being said, I don't know what season it is that you're reading this review, so I guess it doesn't matter that much.

It'd be easy to dismiss an album like this as something close to a novelty record. You know, like all those heavy metal Christmas albums that come out during that season (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, for example). And, yeah, there's some of that here. It's kind of unavoidable with the band's name and album title.

Surprisingly, however, "Creepy Symphonies" is a pretty damn good power metal album, complete with speedy riffs, singable choruses and amazing production values. The album sounds great from beginning to end, from its roaring anthems to its power ballads.

And, speaking of endings, "Creepy Symphonies" closes out with a twelve-minute epic entitled "The Power of Grayskull," which plays out like a miniature rock opera. A perfectly fitting way to end an already epic album.

So don't let the band name or the album title fool you. If you're looking for an epic power metal album, "Creepy Symphonies" is exactly what you're looking for.

For more information, check out https://www.trickortreatband.com/.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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