Normally I concentrate on the death and black genres when I write for REZ, but with Mob Rules I gladly make an exception. This album is one of the best power metal albums I have heard in quit some time.

The album begins with a sensitive Savatage-like song called “Hollowed Be Thy Name”. Together with “House On Fire”, this song is one of my favourites. These songs really strike me and I have no idea if I must seek the reason in de melodic guitars or in the great vocals of Klaus Dirks.

Most of the other songs are great too and they can really measure with great metal bands as Helloween, Stratovarious or Rhapsody. Especially the keyboards of Sascha Onnen remind me of the last two bands, although I think that they should be careful that these won’t become too dominant.

There are also some guest appearances on “Hollowed Be Thy Name”. Peavy Wagner (RAGE) features on “How The Gypsy Was Born”, because they wanted some rougher vocals on this song. Roland Grapow (ex-Helloween, Masterplan) plays the fantastic intro on “All Above The Atmosphere” and contributed a virtuoso solo on “Way Of The World”.

Mob Rules revolves around a concept. On Hollowed Be Thy Name they explore the subject of power in different contexts. It’s about political and religious authority, about the power of love and death, but also about the powerlessness and the abuse of power. For those who are into melodic power metal, this album screams for you. But beware of this vicious battle, here in the land where the Mob Rules.