May 23, 2010

Reviewer: M. J.

Mob Rules has been a favorite band of mine since 1999 when I first picked up Savage Land. Through the years I have watched them mature as they explored the more melodic sides of power and progressive metal. As far the band’s past output, I count Temple of Two Suns and Among the Gods as my two favorite Mob Rules albums. Both of these enjoyed a guitar heavy sound and were adorned in sophisticated keyboard orchestration. So it’s probably no surprise to other longtime fans to hear me say that I was let down with the band’s last release, Ethnolution A.D. That album faltered because of its over-reliance on keyboards, a drop in overall heaviness and plagued with too many songs saddled with stagnant go-nowhere ideas. The band tried to create dramatic atmosphere but the build-up had no pay off. So with that still fresh in my mind, I approached Radical Peace with a bit of trepidation. Thankfully, Radical Peace is a step in the right direction but not as big of a step as I would have hoped.

As an opening track “Children of the Flames” doesn’t hesitate to unleash a “regal” meaty guitar riff that might have been at home on any Iron Maiden album from the 80s. It is enshrouded lovingly with heavy keyboard orchestration that sounds incredibly huge and classy (even for Mob Rules). As if that isn’t enough, the song gets a boost with a big soaring emotive vocal performance by Klaus Dirks. It’s flat out magnificent. What a way to start a new album. “Trial by Fire” marches in on the heels of the captivating opener with another Iron Maiden styled riff that originally had me almost “running to the hills” to check “point of reference”. Ha! Ah, but no bother as it’s quite tasty in its own right and really has no real true resemblance to that song. Klaus’ vocals are once again very impassioned on the repetitive and catchy chorus. As I delve deeper into the album I am struck by a renewed spark that the band is displaying and a robust reaffirmation of their core sound. Mob Rules excel when they are storytellers as evidenced on the powerful and gripping “The Oswald File (Ethnolution Part II - A Matter of Unnecessary Doubt)” which tackles events and mythology surrounding the death of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and his assassinator Lee Harvey Oswald. Mob Rules has never shied away from such complex or interesting stories that mark our history and consciousness. Lasting nearly 20 minutes, it’s a beautiful and fitting elegiac piece full of actual newsreel sound clip samples from that era interwoven into a full range of acoustic and bombastic passages. There really are no stinkers here as each of the other songs continue to reinforce the message that the band is lucid and working to keep the flame alive. It’s heartening to see my buds back in fighting form.

Radical Peace succeeds in rescuing Mob Rules from the edge of a near uncertain future and placing them squarely back on the right path. Hopefully the next album with continue the trend to be a little bit more radical and a little less peace(ful).

Release Date: November 13, 2009
Label: AFM Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Children Of The Flames
2.  Trial By Fire
3.  Warchild
4.  Astral Hand
5.  The Oswald File (Ethnolution
      Part II - A Matter Of
      Unnecessary Doubt)
6.  Waiting For The Sun
7.  The Glance Of Fame

Total playing time:  52:33

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Mob Rules - Radical Peace