Haunt are no strangers to these shores so you should know what to expect. Prolific song writer Trevor William Church is at it again, this is the European release of ‘Flashback’. The US version was released earlier this year through Trevor’s own Church recordings. Thankfully, the “old world” will be able to obtain a copy with more reasonable shipping prices if applicable! This is the second Haunt release this year I have reviewed, and there is more coming later this year and early next year, so don’t expect the party to cease just yet.
When I look at the album cover, I constantly get drawn to the skeletons that are present in the classic movie ‘Jason and the Argonauts’, you know, the battle scene near the end of that movie! With that in mind the older influences often transpire into Haunt’s music. More notable this time are synthesisers that are most prevalent on ‘Figure in a Painting’ and for me the album title track ‘Flashback’. The whole release is more in line with classic hard rock/metal with a tiptoe into the NWoBHM era, but NWoBHM is not really a solid comparison to my ears. It’s a solid consistent album and approach. The material doesn’t stretch itself, it doesn’t tread on other boundaries either. That may have sounded negative, but the intention wasn’t to be that. It is very entertaining and fits with the bands usual style. The challenge is to make things progress, and I feel the album has done that here.
So, with this in mind, I’d draw attention to the blistering guitar solo that goes into ‘Sweet Embrace’ and the duel guitar that features on the remaining tracks. The harmonies are spot on along with the infectious nature of ‘Electrified’ (the synth effects work out very well here!). Without being overtly critical, its enhanced business as usual. Haunt grab the listener with the melody and the resulting harmony, they manage to stay true without being all blazing guitar work and showmanship. The songs are arranged sounding like a true collective. Overall, I do feel a slight step up compared to ‘Mind Freeze’ even though I have rated the same. I feel the artwork wasn’t as special as the former full studio release, but that is really nothing to get hung up about.
‘Flashback’ is Haunt doing what they do best, and as I mentioned earlier, there is a further release coning which will probably come out in the New Year. If you haven’t got Haunt in your playlist or collection, ‘Flashback’ is a good starter for ten.
(8.5/10 Paul Maddison)
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