Quick-Reviews: Dare, Trick Or Treat, Phantom 5 (July 2016)

Here are three more "Quick-Reviews" for you guys. This time I got something for Hard Rockers, Power Metal fans and Melodic Rock lovers:

- DARE - "Sacred Ground"
- TRICK OR TREAT - "Rabbits' Hill Pt. 2"
- PHANTOM 5 - "Phantom 5"

DARE - "Sacred Ground"

The guys around Darren Wharton will release their new album "Sacred Ground" in about two weeks. Many fans of their early works complained about the very slow and calm direction on recent records. But hey, there is much more Rock in "Sacred Ground". For sure it never gets as heavy as on the fabolous "Blood From Stone", so this record still belongs to the calmer side of Rock music, but it is a true winner when it comes to creating a dreamy atmosphere. The guitar work is excellent and omnipresent on this record as well as the warm voice of Darren. On top of that pearls like "Home", "I'll Hear You Pray" or "All Our Brass Was Gold" deliver outstanding songwriting with heart and soul, which makes "Sacred Ground" to a must buy! Rating: 9/10

TRICK OR TREAT - "Rabbits' Hill Pt. 2"

The Italian Power Metal band Trick Or Treat started as a Helloween tribute band, which was never taken too seriously. With their new album "Rabbits' Hill Pt. 2" they wash every doubt away. This record is their best album to date. Trick Or Treat increased their songwriting skills very much and present us one Power Metal anthem after the other. A song like "Cloudrider" is pure Melodic Metal bliss - it doesn't get any better and also singer Alessandro Conti sounds better than ever. He reminds me a lot at the mighty Michael Kiske with his impressive vocal range. Guests like Tony Kakko & Tim "Ripper" Owens round up the whole package. Fans of Sonata Arctica, Helloween and even Avantasia will find what they are looking for. Rating: 8/10

PHANTOM 5 - "Phantom 5"

Praised as the new German supergroup, Phantom 5 had to fulfil huge expectations right from the beginning. This is no wonder when members of Frontline, Mad Max, Scorpions and Bonfire team up for such a project. Especially for fans of singer Claus Lessmann Phantom 5 is a true blessing after his departure from Bonfire. Yeah and that is what Phantom 5 sounds like: early Bonfire. That means there are some very catchy Hard Rock tunes on this debut album combined with a very tight and professional musicianship. But it is not the "big Hard Rock revelation" everyone was hoping for. Therefore you've heard the typical songwriting/production from Michael Voss way too often in recent years, but it's still a very solid record for all fans of European Hard Rock. Rating: 7/10