Review by Peter Finn for MPM
Mob Rules is a power metal band hailing from Germany, formed in 1994. The band’s lineup consists of founder member, lead vocalist Klaus Dirks, with guitarists Sven Lüdke and Florian Dyszballs, bassist Markus Brinkmann, keyboardist Jan Christian Halfbrodt, and drummer Nikolas Fritz. Known for their dynamic sound and engaging lyrics, Mob Rules has released a total of nine studio albums, starting with their debut ‘Savage Land’ in 1999 and followed by standout albums such as 2000’s ‘Temple of Two Suns’ and ‘Beast Reborn’ from 2018. With a mix of melodic hooks and powerful rhythms, Mob Rules has captivated audiences both in Germany and internationally, solidifying their status as a prominent force in the power metal genre.
‘Celebration Day – 30 Years Of Mob Rules’ via Steamhammer, is a Double CD compilation with over 150-minutes of playing time, and a snapshot of their career incorporating 30 songs. Two 8-minute plus epics “Book-end” the album, in the form of soaring guitars and laden with racing riffs, ‘The Way Of The World’ from 2002’s ‘Hollowed Be Thy Name’ of which Klaus Dirks proudly states, “We were able to get ex-Helloween/Masterplan guitarist Roland Grapow for a guest appearance and in the end the eight-and-a-half-minute track became one of the best in our repertoire.” The other being the passionate and spectacular cinematic closing track ‘Dykemaster’s Tale’, taken from the 2016 release ‘Tales From Beyond’, with its mix of tempo’s and symphonic sounds.
We get to experience some new material in the first few tracks, a trio of unreleased covers. The first being Mob Rules’ current single, a version of Iron Maiden’s 1982 anthem ‘Run To The Hills’, it carries all of the pace and excitement of the original but, without the rawness.
Following on, is something a little bit different, it’s a cover of Irene Cara’s 1980 smash hit ‘Fame’. A brave choice that works very well. The chugging guitars, heavy beats and forceful lyrics add a novel twist without offending either the listener or the songwriters. The lead solo fits perfectly with the 80’s time period.
This triplet of covers is completed with a rendition of Ghost’s ‘Square Hammer’, originally released in 2016. Of the three this is probably closest to the primary recording; this could be the tonal similarities in Tobias Forge’s and Klaus Dirk’s voice. A cleverly chosen track, that impresses.
Another, older cover that the band have added to the album, is their 2022 release of Dio’s ‘Sacred Heart’. The hard and heavy beats instantly recognisable, Dirk’s vocal is a respectful and worthy interpretation of this Ronnie James Dio classic, actually it’s a compliment to Appice, Bain and Campbell too, in the way Mob Rules deliver the track.
‘Celebration Day’ includes some of Mob Rules’ classics, for example, from 2004’s ‘Among The Gods’ there is ‘Black Rain’, another one being ‘Rain Day’ from the 1999 debut album ‘Savage Land’, and from their 2002 release ‘Hollowed Be Thy Name’, the title track.
The album includes the early tracks from ‘Savage Land’, such as ‘Hold Back The Light’ with the steady spoken vocal accompanied by the rising and falling tempos, to the most recent album 2018’s ‘Beast Reborn’ supplies the tracks ‘Sinister Light’ and the atmospheric ‘Shores Ahead’, giving fine examples of the band has evolved and developed their intricacies and style.
In addition to this great cross-section of the band’s career, there are also some tracks that were previously only available digitally, ‘Hymn Of The Damned’ written in 2019, as our world went to pieces, Mob Rules wanted to convey a message of hope and cohesion, not regarded as a song that glosses over the situation, but one that gives courage and strengthens faith in a better future. The quick paced 2022 single ‘Ghost Town’, that was originally on the 2002 ‘Hollowed Be Thy Name’ album. Also, the Amon Amarth cover ‘Raven’s Flight’ which was released during 2019. All these tracks have been carefully remastered by Markus Teske, especially for this compilation.
A couple of personal favourites were ‘Somerled’ taken off ‘Tales From Beyond’, with the mix of tempo’s and a kind of Pirate/Iron Maiden mash-up. The piano introduced and moody power ballad, ‘The Oswald File: Chapter II – Desperate Son’ from 2009’s ‘Radical Peace’, that closes with a bluesy solo. I enjoyed the some of the Iron Maiden epic style starts that lull you into a false security, before carrying you away on a thrilling journey for example, ‘Ice Fire’ that’s on 2012’s ‘Cannibal Nation’.
Throughout the album you are treated to slick melodies, rich vocals and blistering guitar work, all being kept in check by a powerful rhythm section. The track variations within the album are a great advert for Mob Rules. The production is first rate, giving a sound that caress and shakes the senses allowing the listener to feel part of the album.
A bit of album trivia, French artist Stan-W Decker who has worked with Primal Fear, Blue Öyster Cult, and Rage was enlisted for the cover design of this special anniversary release, creating a spell-binding cover illustration containing numerous cross-references to the Mob Rules band history.
‘Celebration Day – 30 Years Of Mob Rules’ is a “No brainer” for any Mob Rules fan, the inclusion of the new tracks, and a “real” copy of previous digital material is a must for any Mob Rules anthology. The tracks have been selected with care and consideration, to provide an excellent discography timeline of 30-years’ worth of music. The cover versions also demonstrate the great technical abilities within the band, that allows them to switch between different styles with ease. In fact, even if you’re a rock fan in general, or more focused on the power metal genre, then ‘Celebration Day – 30 Years Of Mob Rules’ is a worthy addition to any collection, so make a note on your calendar of the release date, 3rd May 2024.
Track List CD 1:
01. Way Of The World
02. Run To The Hills (Iron Maiden Cover) – new unreleased track
03. Fame (Irene Cara Cover) – new unreleased track
04. Square Hammer (Ghost Cover) – new unreleased track
05. Ghost Town (re-recorded) – previously digital only
06. Sacred Heart (Dio Cover)
07. Ghost Of A Chance
08. Hollowed Be Thy Name
09. Sinister Light
10. Black Rain
11. Ice & Fire
12. Somerled
13. Flag Of Life
14. Unholy War
15. Fuel To The Fire
Track List CD 2:
01. Raven’s Flight (Amon Amarth Cover) – previously digital only
02. Hymn Of The Damned – previously digital only
03. Lord Of Madness (re-recorded)
04. Evolution’s Falling
05. Shores Ahead
06. Hydrophobia
07. Hold Back The Light
08. Tele Box Fool
09. Desperate Son
10. The Sirens
11. Better Morning
12. Trial By Fire
13. On The Edge
14. Rain Song
15. Dykemaster’s Tale
