{"id":52547,"date":"2016-07-29T07:51:24","date_gmt":"2016-07-29T12:51:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=52547"},"modified":"2016-07-29T07:51:24","modified_gmt":"2016-07-29T12:51:24","slug":"treat-ghost-of-graceland-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2016\/treat-ghost-of-graceland-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Treat | Ghost of Graceland"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Justin Gaines<\/span>
\n– Sr. Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Treat\"It was a pretty big deal when legendary Swedish Melodic Rock band Treat returned after a nearly two-decade absence in 2010. That they did so with arguably the strongest album of their career in Coup de Grace<\/em> was just the icing on the cake. Then they called it quits. Again. Sure, there are plenty of really good new Melodic Rock bands in the scene, like Eclipse and H.E.A.T., but Treat did it first, and they did it best, so that was some hard news to digest.<\/p>\n

Fast forward six years and the gods of Melodic Rock have once again smiled on us. Treat is back with a new studio album, just its seventh in a 30+ year career, titled Ghost of Graceland<\/em>. This time around they’re joined by bassist Pontus Egberg (King Diamond, ex-The Poodles). Lead guitarist Anders Wikstrom handles most of the songwriting here, as well as assisting with production.<\/p>\n

Ghost of Graceland<\/em> has what we love most about the classic Treat sound: the infectious melodies, the massive hooks, and Robert Ernlund’s smooth, powerful vocals. It also has the best elements of what made Coup de Grace<\/em> such an effective album: the polish, the lyrical maturity and the general sense of veteran musicians doing what they do best. It’s an album that’s as smart as it is rocking, and as soulful as it is catchy.<\/p>\n

Ghost of Graceland<\/em> is a remarkably strong album from start to finish, but it does have its highlights. The stirring, rocking title track sets the atmosphere for the album, while \u201cBetter the Devil You Know,\u201d \u201cInferno\u201d and \u201cNonstop Madness\u201d have a somewhat darker melodic rock tone. \u201cDo Your Own Stunts\u201d is a more uplifting song, and it’s impossible to resist the hooks or those fantastic backing vocals on \u201cI Don’t Miss the Misery.\u201d \u201cTogether Alone\u201d is another interesting tune, as it features Wikstrom on vocals (and doing a really solid job of it). Of course, Ernlund sounds absolutely fantastic on all the other songs.<\/p>\n

Waiting six years for this album wasn’t much fun, but once again Treat delivered an album that is more than worth the wait. Ghost of Graceland<\/em> is soon to be a Treat classic, and it’s easily one of the best Melodic Rock albums 2016 has to offer. Fans of bands like Eclipse, H.E.A.T., Europe, Sunstorm and Nordic Union will absolutely want to get their hands on this one. Hopefully Treat won’t keep us waiting quite so long for a follow-up.<\/p>\n

Genre: Melodic Rock<\/p>\n

Band:
\nRobert Ernlund (v)
\nAnders Wikstrom (g) (v)
\nPatrick Appelgren (k) (g) (v)
\nJamie Borger (d)
\nPontus Egberg (b)<\/p>\n

Track Listing:
\n1.\tGhost of Graceland
\n2.\tI Don’t Miss the Misery
\n3.\tBetter the Devil You Know
\n4.\tDo Your Own Stunts
\n5.\tEndangered
\n6.\tInferno
\n7.\tAlien Earthlings
\n8.\tNonstop Madness
\n9.\tToo Late To Die Young
\n10.\tHouse on Fire
\n11.\tTogether Alone
\n12.\tEverything To Everyone<\/p>\n

Label: Frontiers Records<\/p>\n

Website: www.facebook.com\/treatofficial<\/a><\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 9\/10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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