4.5 stars - a killer melodic power metal album
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 09/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a latecomer to Mob Rules. For the longest time I avoided the German band thinking they were just another cheesy Rhapsody-style power metal band. Earlier this year I took a chance on their 2004 album Among The Gods, and have been hooked ever since. I picked up the early Mob Rules albums, and now have my hands on their 2006 release Ethnolution A.D.
I think Mob Rules is the perfect medium between the finesse of Stratovarius and the pure power of Primal Fear, and they walk that line perfectly on this album. The symphonic arrangements and beautiful vocals contrast with the dark lyrics and imagery, and the heavy guitar riffs are perfectly balanced by an abundance of melody. The album is split between the multi-part "Ethnolution A.D. Suite", which takes on some very weighty subjects, and the final six songs, which act more or less as the "light at the end of the tunnel". It's just an amazing and effective melodic metal album altogether, and I can't wait to see what the band comes up with next.
Ethnolution A.D. is every bit as impressive as Among the Gods, and is one of the best melodic power metal albums of the decade. I'm well past my power metal phase, but Mob Rules still manages to excite me. If you're a fan of melodic metal (specifically bands like Angra, Last Tribe, Starbreaker, Primal Fear and Jorn), you simply must not miss Mob Rules, and Ethnolution A.D. is a great album to start with. Rating: 4.5/5
NOTE: Amazon has an incorrect track listing. The title track is actually a "suite" broken into six separate songs. Here is the full track listing:
1. Ethnolution A.D. - Prologue
2. Ethnolution A.D. - Unholy War
3. Ethnolution A.D. - Ashes To Ashes
4. Ethnolution A.D. - Fuel To the Fire
5. Ethnolution A.D. - Veil of Death
6. Ethnolution A.D. - The Last Farewell
7. Day and a Lifetime
8. River of Pain
9. Ain't the One
10. New Horizon
11. With Sparrows
12. Better Morning"
"The place where your dreams are rising"
D. Knouse | vancouver, washington United States | 07/21/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"4.5 stars. I am pleased to announce my presence as a brand new fan of Mob Rules. After listening to this exemplarly dose of Melodic Power Metal for the first time I immediately checked out their back catalog and bought two more albums. While I'm not in awe of the album, as a 5-star rating would suggest, I am extremely pleased with the strong songwriting, superb production value, and a fine lead vocal performance. Power Metal, in particular, must have a good lead singer to be pulled off properly. The rest of the band have created a magnificent balance of fluid arrangements where they do indeed sound like a clockwork machine of professionalism personified. All this coated with a shimmering production sheen and I was instantly sold. A few speedier songs scattered about would have elevated the album to another level. As it stands, most of the songs here are mid-tempo Melodic Power Metal spiced with flashes of brilliance. Highly recommended."
This Mob Rules !!
Metalizer | CT.,USA | 07/12/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I just heard of this band in 2006. I bought Among The Gods and loved it. This one is a close second but a little mellower. They play German power metal with quality keyboards and catchy melodies. That's not to say they are a lightweight band. Rather they mix it up with some heavy power songs and some more melodic ballads. Their compositions are well thought out and arranged. The singer has a good voice with plenty of range. Give them a try if you like Masterplan,Silent Force,Jorn Lande,or melodic metal in general."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1