Treat, ‘Coup De Grace’ — New Album

It's been almost two decades since Treat's last studio album of all new material was released, but now the Swedish melodic act is back with 'Coup De Grace.' After a lengthy break-up, the band reform in 2006 and played Sweden Rock Festival. That performance was the catalyst to start writing and recording new songs. While nothing was ever set in stone, the band says everything just sort of fell into place.

"We didn't think very much. We just did it. It was just the right time to do it. We just tried it out," explains Treat bassist Nalle Pahlsson.

The band self-recorded and produced 'Coup De Grace' during 2009. While the work isn't exactly a concept album, the cover art definitely matches the title. The term coup de grâce is usually used to signal the end of a series of events, but Pahlsson swears this isn't the band's final album. Since coup de grâce is usually used to describe the killing of soldiers or civilians, it's no wonder the album's cover shows sworn enemies engaged in a duel ... just don't take it too seriously.

"We really wanted to do something extra ordinary with the photo session," laughs Pahlsson. "We didn't really want to do an ordinary photo session just in jeans and ordinary clothes. We wanted to do something special. Our keyboard player is very interested in history and war of the worlds and things like that. We just thought it would be a funny thing to do. We're never really serious in this band -- we do things for fun. We play because we think it's fun. Two years before the reunion, people were really asking us to do it, to record again. We like it and the audience likes it so we play and have a good time."

While there wasn't an inner struggle while making 'Coup De Grace,' the band did want to explore more important life themes like everyday worries and politics with their new music.

"It was the natural thing to do. I mean, life is so much more than rock´n´roll all night and party every day," guitarist Anders Wikström explains via a press statement.

Treat has a few European dates booked this spring. 'Coup De Grace' is available now via Frontiers.