ALBUM REVIEW: The Legend of the XII Saints – Trick or Treat
When a band is formed initially to be a HELLOWEEN tribute, you know they are either going to fail miserably or pull some sort of magic out of the bag; luckily TRICK OR TREAT were able to do the latter. After releasing five previous studio albums, they’re back with The Legend of the XII Saints, a long, full-to-the-brim-record which has a song for every member of the zodiac sign. This is TRICK OR TREAT’s first-ever concept album, inspired by the Saint Seya anime, with each song delving into the personality of the knights and the interesting plot that binds all the characters to the goddess Athena.
At just under a minute, we’re welcomed into the record with Ave Athena with whispering vocalisations which set up the tale that’s about to follow. True to expectations, the album unfolds in powerful fashion as it takes us through each of the zodiac signs, each track brimming with energy. ARIES Stardust Revolution has everything required of a modern power metal band right off the bat; melodic and complex guitar work, up tempo drum beats and epic, soaring vocals. TAURUS Great Horn continues this theme but with a slightly meatier sound, chugging riffs and a bull-headed strength quite fitting for the sign of Taurus.
Screaming riffs which are intricate from the get-go throw us straight into GEMINI Another Dimension. There isn’t one detail left untouched here, perfectly stacked harmonies and a sonorous chorus thunder out, further boosted by the skill of BEAST IN BLACK vocalist Yannis Papadopoulos who makes an appearance on this track. CANCER Underworld Wave brings us up and down a discordant scale, fast and powerful; it’s in your face, epic metal from first to last.
Tracks like VIRGO Tenbu Horin and LIBRA One Hundred Dragons Force bring things down a notch and take a darker tone. Folksy style violin is brought into the equation to add another layer of not only complexity and richness, but a touch of a traditional fantasy adventure style track. SCORPIO Scarlet Needle kicks off with epic, soaring screams, showing the range and skill of vocalist Alessandro Conti. If you’re going to start off as a HELLOWEEN tribute band, you have to get the vocalist right, and TRICK OR TREAT have done just that. The production is crystal clear on this record, and when new layers such as varying guitar melodies, vocals or even synth are added, each section remains crisp and clean.
The mellowness of SAGITTARIUS Golden Arrow is a welcome change, gentle guitar picking and soft almost whispered vocals flow into a slower-paced track, yet still full of strength and passion. CAPRICORN Excalibur and AQUARIUS Diamond Dust bring the tempo back up, two epic and energetic tracks filled with varied sections as well as catchy choruses. Last Hour (The Redemption) rounds off the record by incorporating many different aspects of the record itself. Delicate guitar work with smooth, flowing vocals that build up to a more epic sound, orchestral and choral tones wrapping things up.
If you are on the lookout for uplifting, feel-good power metal to get you ready for battle, or even just to get you out of bed in the morning, give this a spin. The production quality is outstanding, with every detail rich and complex, yet perfectly balanced. This record is quintessential power metal, sweeping guitar melodies, skilled and powerful vocals, and thundering rhythm sections to create a full and epic sound.
Rating: 8/10
The Legend of the XII Saints is out now via Scarlet Records.
Like TRICK OR TREAT on Facebook.