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MOB RULES
Rise Of The Ruler

RPM-ROAR (2025)
Rating: 7/10

Here’s the next episode of the prolific career of German metal monsters Mob Rules, although it’s been seven years since their last album, Beast Reborn. Since then the band has recruited two new members in guitarist Florian Dyszbali (2019) and drummer Sebastian Schmidt (2023), who link up with vocalist Klaus Dirks, guitarist Sven Lüdke, bassist Markus Brinkmann and keyboardist Jan Christian Halfbrodt.

With Mob Rules you can pretty much predict what’s comin: powerful metallic metal that is an acquired taste in my house. I find this sort of power metal soulless and predictable, but I don’t doubt the passion behind the songs. The addition of keyboards always brings a sense of atmosphere to what’s offered and I’m a big fan of Klaus’s rich vocal tone, particularly on the faster songs such as ‘Exiled’ which comes to the fore after a Manowar-styled slice of narration.

Much of what is served up is mid-paced, expansive and extremely melodic, but all too often glossy. However, there’s always something grandiose, even cinematic, about the Mob Rules art of storytelling. ‘Dawn Of Second Sun’ is a strong example of this, especially if you have seen the accompanying music video.

The guitarists are adept at constructing huge riffs, so a sense of the epic runs firmly through this affair and there are less frequent symphonic shades too. It’s still hard metal, robust and slightly dystopian as Klaus fires off vocal rounds towards enemy lines, and that’s what keeps me honed in. His versatility shows on acoustic ballad ‘On The Trail’, while on epic closer ‘Equilibrium (Rise Of The Ruler)’ his pipes bristle with fiery menace.

One thing is for sure, Mob Rules know how to write a potent song, with another favourite being the speed metal foray of ‘Future Loom’. However, I’m less than convinced by the poppy sensibilities of ‘Nomadic Oasis’, which although notably darker than other songs just doesn’t sit right with me. Even so, the returning Mob Rules will be welcomed by many and should also attract new ones too, especially if they have a thirst for a power metal hybrid of Helloween and Iron Maiden.

Neil Arnold

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