ALBUM REVIEW: Mob Rules - Celebration Day – 30 Years Of Mob Rules

Mob Rules is a German power classic metal band formed in 1994 but only released their first album Savage Land five years later in 1999. Since then, they have released a further nine albums, with Celebration Day – 30 Years of Mob Rules a retrospective review of their extensive career. Covering singles, a smattering of rerecorded tracks and a few covers by bands that have influenced them, this is quite the body of work. The disc kicks off with the track Way of the World from their 2002's Hallowed Be Thy Name album. A classic power metal opener, the twin guitars of Florian Dyszballs and Sven Ludke ring out a catchy riff for a bar before the driving drums, anthemic keyboards, and bass kick in to produce a classic metal sound. Klaus Dirks vocal is clear, high pitched almost operatic, and perfect for power metal. This is quite representative for the band and the genre of metal they have forged for themselves. 

The group of covers are generally respectful and include Iron Maiden’s Run to The Hills and Dio’s Sacred Heart. The best is the version of Irene Cara’s Fame. It’s not that different to the original, but with a beefed up back line and Dirk’s vocals lifting the song, it is given a well needed boost. There are a couple of power ballads including Better Morning and The Oswald File: Chapter II which for me detract from the flow of the album, but then, I have never liked the ballads that rock bands do, so this shouldn’t really be a surprise! 

My favourite tracks are Flags of Life which opens with a jaunty gypsy violin and runs through like a good Alestorm pirate metal classic. Unholy War opens with a riff that could sit nicely on any Volbeat album and runs along with gusto. Overall, I liked most of the album. It feels like one that you’ve had for years as the music is so familiar and reminiscent of many bands of the 80’s and 90’s. Obvious influences of Maiden, Megadeth, Scorpions even Volbeat and Amon Amarth are worn on their sleeve. In no way is this a criticism, and for me, it’s great to listen to bands that take well-loved influences and execute them with such love and respect. With a few exceptions, the songs are well crafted and produced and mixed to a high standard. Not what I would normally listen to but I’ll be keeping an eye out for future albums and pick them for a nice hug of good old classic style rock.

Celebration Day – 30 Years Of Mob Rules is released on 3rd May on Steamhammer /SPV

Review by John Caffery