Trick Or Treat - Rabbits Hill Pt2.
Frontiers Records
Power Metal
11 songs (60:00)
Release year: 2016
Frontiers Records
Reviewed by Joel

Rabbits Hill Pt2, is the new album, Italy's Power Metal band, Trick or Treat, who started as a Helloween tribute band. The album is part 2 based on the novel Watership Down by Robert Adams. I was able to hear part one on Spotify, cause I could not find it anywhere else at the time. On vocals is Alessandro Conti(Luca Turilli's Rhapsody), and his performance I saw live a few months ago was still fresh in my mind. Here I think his true vocal style comes out, reminding listeners of early Michael Kiske. The music itself? Typical Italian bombast, with more power and less orchestration.

From the opener Inle(The Black Rabbit Of Death)(Yes the story is about rabbits, and no it does not come easy!). Together Again is a short slower melodic song, that bridges the gap of Inle and the album-showcasing Cloudrider. I say what I do cause Cloudrider, is how you write a melodic song that is everything fast, melodic, with vocals that just soar(though nothing new for Conti). Never Say Goodbye is a moving ballad, that some could call cheesy or filler, but damn this song is awesome. The melodies and intro, will take you back to the 80s with its twin guitar solo melody. If I had one nitpick, it would be in Conti's use of the English language, with some words not pronounced properly. Again he is Italian, and English is not his first language, and I can't speak Italian, so he wins! Regardless of diction, he is a great singer, and he shines on this song. Though he is not alone, Sara Squadrani of Ancient Bards joins him on this song. She in my opinion is one of the most under rated vocalists in rock/metal(male or female). Two other duets are with Tim Owens(ex-Judas Priest/Iced Earth/Malmsteen) as the evil General Woundwort on They Must Die. Sounding like his usual sinister self, with his high pitched shriek in tact! The folky intro of United, leads into the last duet of the disc, with Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica. His vocals are easily recognizable next to Conti's. The two of them sound really good together. They definitely play off each other well during the verses and together in unison during the chorus. The Showdown, is the climax reaching its peach, and its not only one of the most epic songs on the disc, but is also a ten minute plus song. Like every good epic, it keeps your attention for its entire run time. Last Breath is another ballad, slightly faster then Never Say Goodbye, but equally powerful, this time its Conti, solo se stesso(only himself..thats what google translate is for!).

Easily one of the most enjoyable Power Metal discs I have listened to this year, and fans of power metal will love this disc. If you hate power metal, this probably isn't for you. With Rabbits Hill Pt2, Trick Or Treat have surpassed their last disc, while carrying Power Metal flag very high. Definitely a contender for the best Power Metal release of 2016.

Watch the video for Never Say Goodbye,
Killing Songs :
Cloudrider, Never Say Goodbye, United, The Showdown
Joel quoted 87 / 100
Other albums by Trick Or Treat that we have reviewed:
Trick Or Treat - The Unlocked Songs reviewed by Andy and quoted no quote
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