H R H - R E V I E W S

Mob Rules
Ethnolution A.D. SPV/Steamhammer

Comments:The new MOB RULES CD, with its spawning and high-flown title Ethnolution A.D., has to live up to its promise, and tension and expectations are running sky high. MOB RULES however, manages to combine their tentative release with an energetic and epical metal release that overrules many present outputs. It is gripping as its album title!

With the title track being the stronghold of this brand new release, expectations are high. German melodic power metallers MOB RULES create a hammer that makes a mark today. 25 mintues of sheer melodic metal mayhem are unleashed, spread over seven chapters all bearing its own unique mark. Classic power metal with an epical underlining in “Unholy War;” taunting vocals and loud riffs in the hammering and melodic “Ashes to Ashes” with its embedded middle eastern theme; double bass drums that fire away over pompous keys are sharp edgy guitars in “Fuel to the Fire;” and the interlude (“Veil of Death”) that builds up tons of tension towards the final chapter “The Last Farewell” which is as classic as power metal can possibly be. The drumming is absolutely great, as are the powerful riffs and great solos, all backing up a sticky sweet melodic hymn with powerful choirs that will haunt you for a long time.

Ethnolution A.D. proves to be one of the finest and most progressive pieces the band has recorded and is most certainly on the thrive of becoming a classic. Sophisticated metal parts, anthemic sections Mob Rules are stillistically exploring the boundaries of metal in this epos. Not in the least because of its message depicturing the topical matter of events in the Middle East. It questions politics and beliefs without judging.

With the opening epos being a 25 minute walk through political wastelands, the band decided to make the rest of the album a more compact collection of metal hymns featuring the key ingredients of the band’s sound. “Day of a Lifetime,” “River of Pain” and “New Horizon” are typical equivalents of the German metal school. Teutonic, driving metal tracks with an inviting sing along touch to them. “Ain’t the One” is a slow creeping metal track that slowly opens up to set free the fury. Melodic, yet heavy and driving! “With Sparrows” and “Better Morning” are both balladesque songs with warm and powerful arrangements and intense choirs. Both never tend to go over the top and truly great sounding songs.

MOB RULES not only makes a statement with this release, the band also shows a side of themselves hardly expected judging their previous CDs. The epical and progressive epos is very infective and: affective! Keeps you right in the middle throughout its long spanning running time. The added tracks that fill the CD are making the overall CD easier to listen to. Great classic power metal with typical German influences blended into a tightly moulded metal format; that will last for some decades!

www.mobrules.de

HRH Rating: 8.4/10

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