Mob Rules: Radical Peace

After hearing the opening anthem "Children of the Flames" on the sixth release from German power metallers Mob Rules, it was pretty evident that this veteran band seem to be on to something here. With a fist pumping catchy chorus that sees lead singer Klaus Dirks proclaim "I Am a Saint I Am, I Ain't No Sin Again, I Am a Saint I Am, In the Name of Science, Children of the Flames", this excellent track tells the tale of the longevity of the human race and how technology can be an evil aid. Radical Peace then proceeds to deliver one solid melodic & symphonic power metal song after another, seemingly signaling the arrival of a new top tier player on the scene, right there alongside their AFM labelmates Brainstorm.

With a dual guitar and keyboard attack, Mob Rules conjure up a very thick and full sound here on Radical Peace. The catchy "Trial By Fire" has an almost 'Celtic metal' flair to it, complete with tasty harmony guitar lines to go along with some pummeling riffs and breakneck drum rhythms from Nikolas Fritz. Again, Dirks really hits it on the memorable chorus, making this one another instant contender for immediate playback. Keyboard player Sascha Onnen's huge banks of orchestral keyboards turns the moody "Warchild" into a symphonic progressive metal gem, a tune that will instantly appeal to fans of Brainstorm, Stratovarius, Angra, and Epica. Another melodic, symphonic number follows, the alluring "Astral Hand", before the band plows into the near 19-minute six part epic "The Oswald File", a truly magical musical adventure, as the band take the listener through the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy by Lee Harvey Oswald back in the early 1960's. Dream Theater and Symphony X fans will love this epic tale, which is complete with soaring vocals, excellent keyboard orchestrations, and some truly inspiring guitar work. The heavy "Waiting For the Sun" is a classic power metal ripper, sort of an 'Iron Maiden-meets-Brainstorm' thumper, and the symphonic rocker "The Glance of Fame" closes out the show, featuring some great lead & backing vocals from Dirks.

If Mob Rules weren't major players before, they very well should be with the release of Radical Peace. This is not your typical European power metal offering; far from it, as the band delves into some truly melodic fare here as well as some challenging progressive metal. Lyrically, this has a lot to offer, and the fact that the songs are so catchy as well as expertly played makes Radical Peace one of the 'must hear' releases of the early part of 2010.

Track Listing
1. Children Of The Flames (7:27)
2. Trial By Fire (5:23)
3. Warchild (5:53)
4. Astral Hand (5:48)
5. The Oswald File (Ethnolution Part II - A Matter Of Unnecessary Doubt) (18:10)
6. Waiting For The Sun (4:29)
7. The Glance Of Fame (5:23)

Added: October 12th 2010
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 4407
Language: english

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