TREAT

The Treasure of Scandinavian Melodic Rock
The Trajectory and Musical Evolution of TREAT

1. TREAT's Place in Swedish Rock History

In the early 1980s, the wave of melodic hard rock originating from the Nordic country of Sweden left a unique footprint on the global music scene. Within this movement, which was conceptualized by the worldwide breakthrough of Europe, TREAT has always been at its core and is one of the most important bands that contributed to the formation and development of the genre. TREAT's sound fuses the transparent and sorrowful melodies characteristic of Scandinavia, catchy hooks influenced by American rock, and a hard edge backed by high-level musical techniques, earning it a reputation as a monumental achievement of "Scandi-AOR" (Scandinavian AOR).

2. Chapter 1: Dawn and Formation (1981-1984)

2.1 Predecessor Band: The Era of THE BOYS

The history of TREAT dates back to 1981 in Stockholm, Sweden. The music scene in Stockholm at the time was a mix of the demise of punk rock and the stirrings of a new hard rock influenced by the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal). Under these conditions, a band formed by singer Robert Ernlund, guitarist Anders "Gary" Wikström, and Leif "Lillen" Liljegren, among others, was THE BOYS.

Leif Liljegren had previously been a member of a punk band called KSMB, suggesting that the band's initial direction might not have been purely melodic rock. However, as Anders Wikström's songwriting skills blossomed, the band steered toward a more refined hard rock sound.

2.2 Turning Point of Fate: The Joining of Mats "Dalton" Dahlberg

The band established a full-fledged activity structure in the summer of 1983. A decisive turning point occurred when drummer Mats "Dalton" Dahlberg, who had previously played with Highbrow and Power, joined the rhythm section, which had been fluid until then. His arrival strengthened the band's ensemble, leading them to change their name to TREAT and seriously begin producing demo tapes and approaching record labels for a contract.

2.3 Exceptional Appointment: Accompanying the W.A.S.P. Tour

In 1984, TREAT released their debut single, "Too Wild". A notable fact in TREAT's career at the time was that despite having very little live experience as a band, they were selected as a support act for a major international band.

According to records, shortly after performing their very first live show on June 8, 1984, and after only two gigs, they were hired as the opening act for the Swedish tour of the American shock rock band W.A.S.P. This fact suggests that the quality of TREAT's demo recordings and single at the time, as well as their stage presence, made a powerful impact on promoters and industry professionals. Through this tour, TREAT instantly became known to rock fans throughout Sweden.

3. Chapter 2: The Arrival of the Golden Age and International Leap (1985-1988)

3.1 Debut Album "Scratch and Bite" and Early Success

In 1985, the band released their long-awaited debut album, "Scratch and Bite". Released by Mercury Records, this work is still highly regarded today as a classic of Nordic hard rock.

• Musical Style: A fusion of youthful momentum and the sorrowful melodies characteristic of Scandinavia.
• Representative Tracks: "Get You on the Run", "Too Wild"
• Commercial Achievements: Earned a Gold Disc in Sweden and ranked high on the charts.

With the success of this album, the band toured all over Sweden in the summer of 1985, establishing their status as the next rising star after Europe. However, the band faced its first trial just when everything seemed to be going smoothly. In August of the same year, drummer Mats "Dalton" Dahlberg suddenly departed. He later formed his own band, Dalton, pursuing melodic rock with a different approach than TREAT.

3.2 "The Pleasure Principle" and the Queen Tour

Welcoming Leif Sundin as the new drummer, the band released their 2nd album, "The Pleasure Principle", in 1986. In this work, TREAT's sound underwent a dramatic evolution. The emphasis on keyboards increased, and the production became clearer and more refined, adopting an approach closer to so-called "arena rock" or "AOR".

This shift in direction paid off, expanding the band's fan base. Of particular note, when rock legends Queen performed in Sweden in 1986, TREAT served as their support act. The experience of sharing the stage with Freddie Mercury and others provided a valuable opportunity for TREAT to learn how to carry themselves as a stadium-class band. Furthermore, they also supported Gary Moore, dramatically improving TREAT's capabilities as a live band during this period.

3.3 Masterpiece "Dreamhunter" and "World of Promises"

In 1987, the band released their 3rd album, "Dreamhunter" (Japanese title: "Survivor"). With Jamie Borger joining as the official drummer (he continues to support the backbone of the band to this day), the lineup was in its strongest state.

This album features the biggest anthem of the band's career, "World of Promises". The music video for this song was frequently aired on media like MTV, making TREAT's name international.

Influence and Misconceptions of the Song "World of Promises"
Due to its dramatic structure and catchy chorus, this song boasts immense popularity in Japan as well. A rumor sometimes circulates that it was "the theme song for a Japanese anime," but this is incorrect. It is highly likely an urban legend arising from confusion between the title and atmosphere of the song and the theme songs (such as UVERworld's "Touch Off") of the popular anime "The Promised Neverland". However, the fact that In Flames covered this song on their 2000 album "Clayman" proves that TREAT's influence extends even to younger generations in a different genre like melodic death metal.

3.4 Monsters of Rock 1988: Reaching the Pinnacle

In 1988, TREAT reached what could be considered the pinnacle of their career: performing at the legendary "Monsters of Rock" festival held in Germany. Co-starring with giants of the HR/HM scene at the time, such as Iron Maiden, KISS, David Lee Roth, and Great White, and performing in front of tens of thousands of spectators meant that TREAT had joined the ranks of Europe's top bands.

4. Chapter 3: Straying, Changes, and Dissolution (1989-1993)

4.1 "Organized Crime" and Management Turmoil

Despite being on the verge of international success, an unsettling atmosphere began to drift within the band and its surroundings. Driven partly by anxiety over Europe's global success ("The Final Countdown"), the band left their conventional management and signed a contract with Germany's Uwe Block. They planned an entry into the US market (signing a contract with Polygram USA), but this ultimately ended up spinning their wheels.

The 4th album, "Organized Crime", released in 1989, returned to a more guitar-oriented and dry sound, but the band suffered a blow when guitarist Leif "Lillen" Liljegren, one of the founding members, was fired. Furthermore, bassist Kenneth Siwertsson also departed, shaking the band's unity.

4.2 Arrival of Mats Levén and the Wave of Grunge

In 1990, the band suffered a definitive blow when vocalist Robert Ernlund, the face of the band, departed. The remaining leader, Anders Wikström, made the decision to welcome Mats Levén, formerly of Swedish Erotica, as the new singer.

Mats Levén was a highly capable singer with a more powerful and bluesy vocal quality, distinct from Robert. The self-titled album "Treat", produced with him in 1992, possessed extremely high musical quality, but the timing of its release was unfortunate. At that time, grunge and alternative rock were sweeping the market with the rise of Nirvana, and the 1980s-style melodic hard rock entered an era of being dismissed as a "relic of the past."

Facing commercial failure and drastic changes in the music scene, the band chose to dissolve in 1993.

5. Chapter 4: Silence and Individual Activities (1993-2005)

After the dissolution, the members continued their respective musical activities.

• Anders Wikström achieved success behind the scenes as a producer and songwriter, providing tracks for pop and rock acts.
• Mats Levén joined Yngwie Malmsteen's band, the symphonic metal band Therion, and the doom metal band Candlemass, establishing a reputation in the metal world not just as a "jack-of-all-trades" but as a "highly talented mercenary singer."
• Jamie Borger joined Talisman, led by Jeff Scott Soto, earning high praise for his groove-oriented drumming.

During this period, the name of TREAT was gradually becoming a thing of the past, but calls for a reunion never ceased among Japanese fans and European melodic rock enthusiasts.

6. Chapter 5: Miraculous Return and the Second Golden Age (2006-2022)

6.1 "Weapons of Choice" and Reunion

In 2005, a plan emerged to release a greatest hits album, "Weapons of Choice 1984-2006". In connection with this, the former members, including Robert Ernlund, entered the studio once again to record unreleased songs and new material. The positive feedback during the production of the new tracks "Still in Heaven" and "Go!", along with the strong sales of the album, gave TREAT the confidence to reunite.

On June 10, 2006, they performed a reunion live show at Sweden's largest rock festival, the "Sweden Rock Festival". Witnessing the enthusiastic reaction of a crowd exceeding 4,000 people, TREAT declared their complete comeback.

6.2 The Impact of the Masterpiece "Coup de Grace"

In 2010, they released their first original album in 18 years, "Coup de Grace" (Japanese title: "Coup de Grace ~ Saigo no Ichigeki"). This album boasted a level of completion that far exceeded the scope of a mere "reunion album for old times' sake." Tracks like "Roar" and "Skies of Mongolia" maintained their classic melodic sense while incorporating modern heaviness and production, earning rave reviews from both fans and critics as a "masterpiece of the genre."

6.3 Stable Activity and Continued Releases

Following the success of "Coup de Grace", the band hinted at a "hiatus" in 2013, but they continued their activities in response to the passionate wishes of their fans. They consistently released the following albums, cementing their position as an active band.

• 2016: "Ghost of Graceland" - A work that showed a more progressive and grand approach.
• 2018: "Tunguska" - An ambitious work celebrating the 35th anniversary of their formation.
• 2022: "The Endgame" - A title representing the culmination of the band, but the quality showed no signs of decline.

7. Chapter 6: Present and Future - "The Wild Card" and the Beginning of the End (2025-2026)

7.1 The 10th Studio Album "The Wild Card"

In 2025, TREAT released their 10th studio album, "The Wild Card", on November 21.

According to Anders Wikström, this work is conceptualized around the "musical timeline of the band's career," condensing their transition from the 1980s sound to the present into a single album. As evident from their titles, the lead singles "Adam & Evil" and "1985" are tracks that are highly conscious of TREAT's roots and history. One bonus track is additionally included in the Japanese edition, demonstrating that their consideration for Japanese fans remains alive and well.

7.2 Farewell Japan Tour 2026: The Final Journey

Furthermore, the band announced that they will embark on the "Farewell Japan Tour" in 2026. This has been announced as their final tour in Japan, making it a sentimental and must-see event for long-time Japanese fans.

Japan Tour 2026 Dates

Date	City	Venue	Notes
Monday, April 6, 2026	Osaka	Yogibo META VALLEY	Doors Open 18:00 / Show Starts 19:00
Wednesday, April 8, 2026	Kawasaki	Club Citta'	Doors Open 18:00 / Show Starts 19:00

On this tour, in addition to songs from "The Wild Card", a "best of the best" setlist covering their entire career is scheduled to be performed. With VIP tickets including a meet-and-greet with the members, the tour will shape their gratitude toward the fans.

8. Discography

Here, TREAT's major works are explained in detail, including specifications and backgrounds unique to the Japanese editions.

8.1 Studio Albums

9. Members Profile

9.1 Current Line-up

• Robert Ernlund (Vocals): 1981-1991, 2006-Present. The "voice" of the band. His charming looks and husky singing voice retain their appeal from the '80s.
• Anders "Gary" Wikström (Guitars): 1981-1993, 2006-Present. Main songwriter. He is TREAT's melody maker and leads the band as its producer.
• Jamie Borger (Drums): 1987-1993, 2006-Present. Supports the band's bottom end with his powerful drumming. Also well-known for his work with Talisman and others.
• Patrick Appelgren (Keyboards): 1989-1993, 2006-Present. The cornerstone of the sound after the reunion. Also plays a key role in vocal harmonies.
• Nalle Påhlsson (Bass): 2006-2012, 2019-Present. Stepped aside for Pontus Egberg for a period but returned. Renowned for his stable playing.

9.2 Notable Past Members

• Mats Levén (Vocals): 1990-1993. A highly talented singer who supported the band through difficulties after Robert's departure.
• Pontus Egberg (Bass): 2012-2019. Active while concurrently playing in King Diamond. Participated in tours such as the one in 2018.

10. History of Relationship with Japan: Complete Record of Tours in Japan

1. 1990: Organized Crime Tour (First Japan Tour)
   A tour in support of the album "Organized Crime". It was a time when the band was at its peak, but it is also said there was a sense of tension just before Robert's departure. Performed at Tokyo Kosei Nenkin Kaikan and other venues.
2. 2015: KAWASAKI ROCK CITY (Return After 25 Years)
   Appeared at Club Citta' Kawasaki as a special guest for Europe's headlining show. They re-energized Japanese fans with a performance that showed no signs of their long absence.
3. 2017 & 2018: Establishment of Headline Shows
   Visited Japan within a short span following the releases of "Ghost of Graceland" and "Tunguska". Especially in 2018, they actively performed not only past classics but also new songs, emphasizing their status as an active, ongoing band.
4. 2026: Farewell Japan Tour
   In April 2026, TREAT will bid farewell to the Japanese stage with performances in Osaka and Kawasaki. This tour is expected to be an emotional finale celebrating a bond of over 40 years between TREAT and their Japanese fans.

11. Conclusion

TREAT is a rare band that elevated the melodic sense inherent to the country of Sweden to its limit and continuously expressed it through the format of hard rock. Rather than resting on their laurels from their '80s success, TREAT built a "Second Golden Age" with astounding creativity following their 2006 reunion.

"The Wild Card" in 2025 and the final tour in 2026 will mark the destination of TREAT's long journey, while simultaneously being the moment their music is permanently etched into the hearts of their fans. The "World of Promises" left behind by TREAT will continue to shine brightly without ever fading.