Melodic rock veterans Treat, from Sweden, are back with a new album, called “The Wild Card.” After successfully riding the melodic rock wave in the ’80s with albums like “Dreamhunter,” the band disbanded in 1993. Thirteen years later, the guys found common ground again, leading to a reunion in 2006 and a surprisingly good new album called “Coup de Grace.”
Now, three years after launching “The Endgame,” the band has picked the wild card and is launching the next treat for listeners of melodic rock. Robert Ernlund and Anders Wikström, the core of Treat, are also the driving force behind the new record. Together with longtime companions Jamie Borger, Patrick Appelgren, and Nalle Påhlsson, who joined in 2016, the band delivers thirteen new anthems.
Treat reconnects with the early phase of their career, as reflected in a song called “1985.” This upbeat rock song is a retrospective that shows why the band is such an important part of this genre. “1985” is one example of songs that reflect Treat’s entire musical repertoire. It is the continuation of what the band started with “The Endgame,” which is now completed with “The Wild Card.”
The album opens with “Out With a Bang,” a vibrant rock song with great hooks. Throughout their career, Treat has proven that they can write superb melodies and combine them with a rocking spirit. This is reflected in “Rodeo,” a more mainstream-oriented tune.
Treat originate from a time when bands like Europe and Pretty Maids became the spearhead of Scandinavian rock and metal. While Treat is more connected to melodic rock, the band also adds a darker vibe to some of their songs, like “Hand on Heart,” with guitars being a bit more in focus.
Contrary to “Hand on Heart,” the mainstream rocker “Heaven’s Waiting” adds a sugary-sweet taste to the album. With the stomping “Mad Honey,” the band showcases another hard-hitting track, and the variety of their songs creates a great flow. “Mad Honey” has a bit of a Def Leppard vibe while showcasing 100% Treat. It’s a dramatic song that brings us to “Your Majesty.” The latter reflects the AOR side of Treat’s music, and “In the Blink of an Eye” provides a good time with its playful swing. The pounding “One Minute to Breathe” is the final chapter of an album that feels like a walk down memory lane.
“The Wild Card” is a superbly-crafted melodic rock album fueled by the spirit of ’80s rock. Treat is a band of five musicians with an enormous ability to craft great melodies that stick in your mind immediately. At the same time, the songs have enough finesse to be worth multiple listens, as triviality is never an issue. Well done and worth listening to.
Tracklist:
- Out With a Bang
- Rodeo
- 1985
- Endeavour
- Hand On Heart
- Heaven’s Waiting
- Back To the Future
- Mad Honey
- Adam & Evil
- Your Majesty
- Night Brigade
- In The Blink of An Eye
- One Minute to Breathe
Label: Frontiers Music
Genre: Melodic Rock
Release Date EU: November 21st, 2025
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