Now, this cd will interest quite a few people as it is the latest Limb records release and has the one and only Sasha Paeth (Rhapsody, Angra, Gamma Ray etc) mastering and mixing the album. Mob Rules are a five piece from Germany and will with their first fullength album most certainly be one of the best sellers of the power/prog metal genre this year. As always in this genre of music the artwork of the cd is very professional and is made by Belgian artist Eric Philippe (Stratovarius, Avalon, Rhapsody etc).

Mob Rules was formed back in 1994 by bassist Torsten Plorin and guitarist Matthias Mineur. They`ve been supporting act for Crossroads, Pink Cream 69 and Cita to name a few. The cd has 13 songs, and the cd clocks in at over 53 minutes. Basically what we are offered here is power metal/melodic metal with some progressive elements. And here is another concept album added to this genre. The opener "Insurgia" gives a taste of the bands strengths; heavy catchy guitars, a thumping groove, as well as a super vocal line. Track two "Rain song" has a catchy chorus and a guitar lick which buries itself deep into your memory. Track five "Secret signs" is enhanced by the sound of flutes, and conjures up visions of the Scottish highlands. The closing track "End of all day" which becomes an epic masterpiece, beginning with acoustic guitars, passing brilliantly through an excursion of classical orchestra parts and completing the song with a kind of Carmina Burana choir on top, is another prime example of the undisputed talent of this band.

All songs offered here are of the best quality even though some songs stand out as immediate winners. While you may think this is just another powermetal album joining the lot, I must add that this album is special and to some point original. As a debut album, the songs offered here is nothing but sensational. Each song vibrates with compositional maturity and clever interpretation. It`s hard to make any comparisons to other bands as they have without doubt found their own unique style of power/melodic metal. Though I think fans of Rhapsody, Angra, Elegy and in general melodic/power metal will go crazy over this. I rate this album to 9 out of 10 points. A definite winner !

The German melodic progressive power metal band Mob Rules was formed in 1994. This is their debut CD that is a concept album with a fantasy/science fiction theme.

Mob Rules are playing in the same vein as Angra, Avalon, Edguy, Gamma Ray, Heavens Gate, Ivory Tower, Rhapsody and Stratovarius. Their compositions are very catchy with memorable choruses. The highlights on this CD is the tracks "Rain Song", "Secret Signs" which contains flutes and the final track "End Of All Day", a masterpiece with superb musicianship.

The Belgian artist Eric Philippe, who also made the artwork of Avalon, Stratovarius and Rhapsody's albums made the nice album cover.

This is a top release from Limb Music, the label that has given us Rhapsody, Ivory Tower, Abraxas, Patrick Rondat, Kenziner and Lana Lane to name a few. As always, the label is a guarantee for quality progressive power metal. And if you're into that kind of music I'm sure you'll like this album as well. Recommended!