Frontiers Music Srl will release Swedish melodic rock band Treat's ninth studio album, The Endgame, tomorrow (Friday, April 8). Pre-order/save The Endgame on CD/LP/Digital here, and find an advanced album stream below.
Over the years, both prior to and after their reunion, Treat have established themselves as leaders in the Swedish melodic hard rock scene. With bassist Nalle Påhlsson (who appeared on Coup De Grace) back in the ranks, vocalist Robert Ernlund, guitarist Anders ”Gary” Wikström, drummer Jamie Borger, and keyboardist Patrick Appelgren have once again set a course for yet another exciting musical journey. Twelve songs in total, including uptempo rockers, ballads, '80s sounding gems, and ones with musical influences beyond the ordinary, make this album another definitive statement by the quintet from the south of Stockholm. Produced by Peter Mansson (who also helmed Tunguska and Ghost Of Graceland), The Endgame, by all means qualifies as a true classic album from Treat.
"We always want to make albums that are better than the last one. The album title, to me, represents many things about Treat in this day and age, including the sincerity and history of the band. But also the fight to survive as a band like brothers in arms, through all these years of highs and lows, tears and laughter. Seriously, we grew up together in the '80s, learning how to make our brand of Melodic Hard Rock by heart and we still continue to work that hard even today. We're as close as a family and we're blessed to still be able to get in the ring and be on top of our game," says guitarist Anders Wikstrom. For a band that's been going for nearly four decades, inspiration and the drive to create fresh material still propels Treat.
"Well, for me, it always starts with the song, and that exciting feeling which leads to the next one, and so on. As a longtime songwriter, I trust my gut instinct, but I know the material will take new and better shape when the rest of the guys get in the creative loop, and remember, deep down we're still kids and fans of great rock music and we still get excited when a cool idea turns into a great song," says Wikstrom."We were focused on making the best possible Treat effort, and all of us decided, early on, to make this a positive and uplifting record to be proud of in the years to come. I guess we found the working process to be our sane and safe haven in the midst of this new daily life none of us could have predicted would happen," he continues. "We started the basic track recordings in Atlantis Studios in Stockholm in November 2020, moved on to Baggpipe Studios and Peter Mansson´s Mir Studios in the spring/summer of 2021 for lead vocals and overdubs, then finished mixing in Mir Studios in Stockholm in October 2021.
Most of us have our own studios at home, where we do additional tracking, but to get the sound we wanted for "The Endgame", we did take our time to find the right recording rooms and studio facilities, and the result speaks for itself!""Peter [Mansson] is one of the best rock producers I know, and also a longtime friend. He knows us inside out, pros and cons, and will always give an arm and a leg to make our vision come true. His contribution to this album as producer, recording and mixing engineer is outstanding. He´s also an excellent musician and he's become almost like a sixth member of the gang, a fantastic guy and we love him," adds Wikstrom."We really hope our fans will love this album as much we do because we made it for YOU!" he concludes.
The Endgame tracklisting:
"Freudian Slip"
"Rabbit Hole"
"Sinbiosis"
"Home Of The Brave"
"Both Ends Burning"
"My Parade"
"Wake Me When It’s Over"
"Jesus From Hollywood"
"Magic"
"Carolina Reaper"
"Dark To Light"
"To The End Of Love"
Album stream:
"Carolina Reaper" lyric video:
"Home Of The Brave" video:
Lineup:
Robert Ernlund - Lead Vocals
Anders ”Gary” Wikström - Guitars, Backing vocals
Jamie Borger - Drums, Percussion
Nalle Påhlsson - Bass, Backing vocals
Patrick Appelgren - Keyboards, Backing vocals
