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│ METAL CLASSICS ARCHIVE │
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│ P R E S E N T S │
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│ + Mob Rules - Among The Gods (Jap. Ed.) - + │
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│╔═════════════════════╗ │
│║ Release Information ║ │
│╠═════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════╗ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Release Date.Mar-05-2017 Encoder......L3.97 -V2 --vbr-new ║ │
│║ Genre........Metal Graber.......EAC ║ │
│║ Year.........2004 Khz/Bitrate..44,1/ Br ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Ripper.......The_Patriarch Songs........11 ║ │
│║ Covers.......Yes Url... www.mobrules.de ║ │
│║ ║ │
│╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ │
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│╔═════════════════════╗ │
│║ Release Notes ║ │
│╠═════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════╗ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Artist : Mob Rules Rating : You Decide! ║ │
│║ Album : Among The Gods (Jap. Ed.) - Label : Crown Record ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Description : ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ After a slight down turn with the release of ║ │
│║ "Hollowed Be Thy Name", the power/traditional ║ │
│║ German Metal outift Mob Rules has struck back ║ │
│║ with a power album that puts the emphasis back ║ │
│║ on what made them strong, the power of their ║ │
│║ guitar riffs and the mid-paced metal classics ║ │
│║ that the NWOBHM first pioneered. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ The keyboard work is still a dominant force, as ║ │
│║ was the case on the previous 2 releases, but on ║ │
│║ this album Sascha Onnen really turns up the heat ║ │
│║ and gives us a good combination of his flash and ║ │
│║ flair as seen on "Temple of Two Suns" and his ║ │
│║ more textural devices that helped salvage what ║ │
│║ may have otherwise been a mediocre release in ║ │
│║ "Hollowed Be Thy Name". ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ The guitar work is also back where it belongs, ║ │
│║ pumping out memorable riffs to round out the ║ │
│║ verses and choruses sung by master vocalist ║ │
│║ Klaus Dirks. In addition, both Matthias Mineur ║ │
│║ and Oliver Fuhlhage rip out some highly ║ │
│║ memorable solos. One of the strengths of Mob ║ │
│║ Rules, in terms of guitar work, is not ║ │
│║ neccesarily how fast they play, but what notes ║ │
│║ they put where, and here they have successfully ║ │
│║ recreated much of the flair that was present on ║ │
│║ "Savageland", although the guitar sound that was ║ │
│║ present there still isn't quite as distinctive ║ │
│║ on this current album. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Klaus Dirks vocals have always been highly ║ │
│║ consistent, and have been the strongest source ║ │
│║ of their unique sound. Although he doesn't quite ║ │
│║ fly as high with his range as was the case with ║ │
│║ some of the tracks found on "Savageland", his ║ │
│║ power and inflection are unmistakable, as are ║ │
│║ the character that he brings to each verse he ║ │
│║ recites by way of song. Each individual track ║ │
│║ displays this, with some differing results. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ 1. Black Rain - This is essentially a heavier ║ │
│║ and more dense version of "Hollowed be thy ║ │
│║ Name". The guitar riffs are more distinctive, ║ │
│║ the keyboard timbres are have more depth, yet ║ │
│║ they give the other instruments plenty of room ║ │
│║ to work in. The faint sound of Gregorian chants ║ │
│║ in the beginning bring an extra bonus to put ║ │
│║ this song over the top into instant classic. The ║ │
│║ solo on this one is played by Roland Grapow, and ║ │
│║ possesses a high level of drama and technical ║ │
│║ greatness that underscores the massiveness of ║ │
│║ this track. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ 2. Hydrophobia - This is a more up tempo track ║ │
│║ that sounds a bit similar to "Speed of Life", ║ │
│║ although the chorus is not nearly as powerful. ║ │
│║ Although Roland Grapow give us a rather crazy ║ │
│║ sounding guitar fill in intro, the overall run ║ │
│║ of this song is a bit too repetitive, and they ║ │
│║ lyrics are a bit too cheesy for the subject ║ │
│║ matter that occupies most of the album. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ 3. Invitation Time - Pretty unique keyboard ║ │
│║ intro on this one, which morphs into a somewhat ║ │
│║ mid-tempo rocker. Klaus Dirks uses his range ║ │
│║ sparingly on this song, but his performance does ║ │
│║ provide this song with the extra power it needs ║ │
│║ to push it over the top. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ 4. Miracle Dancer - This is a stand out track ║ │
│║ for a number of fine qualities. The first being ║ │
│║ an unbelievably dramatic vocal perfomance by ║ │
│║ Dirks, combined with some well placed harmony ║ │
│║ vocals on the chorus. The flute sounds from the ║ │
│║ synths, in addition to all other keyboard work ║ │
│║ is spot on, giving needed depth to the entire ║ │
│║ picture being painted. The riffs are highly ║ │
│║ catchy, and the lyrics are poignant, even tear- ║ │
│║ jerking at times. Poetry, sheer poetry. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ 5. Among the Gods - A down tempo ballad/epic ║ │
│║ that switches between a heavy guitar driven ║ │
│║ chorus and a piano dominated set of melodic ║ │
│║ verses. This one reminds me alot of the Reprise ║ │
│║ version of "Hold On" off the "Temple" release. ║ │
│║ Excellent vocal delivery, in addition to another ║ │
│║ highly dramatic solo by Roland Grapow. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ 6. New World Symphony - This is essentially a ║ │
│║ re-arrangement of a classic track called "Rain ║ │
│║ Song" off their debut release. It is alot slower ║ │
│║ in tempo and full orchestrated, no electric ║ │
│║ guitars or rhythm section. This track gives ║ │
│║ Klaus the perfect opportunity to do what he does ║ │
│║ best, wail out some amazing notes from his ║ │
│║ highly dynamic range. A very interesting and ║ │
│║ different take on an amazing song. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ 7. Ship of Fools - More of a traditional rocker, ║ │
│║ this song highlights some Deep Purple inspired ║ │
│║ guitar riffing. This is further exemplified by ║ │
│║ the highly present rock organ that accompanies ║ │
│║ the guitar driven verses. Not too many surprises ║ │
│║ on this one, other than some rather unique vocal ║ │
│║ effects towards the end. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ 8. Seven Seas - Another down tempo rock track ║ │
│║ with some heavy emphasis on the keyboards. Alot ║ │
│║ of vocal tracks on the chorus, in addition to ║ │
│║ some rather nice story telling in the lyrics. ║ │
│║ The guitar is a bit de-emphasized on this one, ║ │
│║ but it has a decent solo that you can hum along ║ │
│║ with. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ 9. Meet you in Heaven - The power and energy ║ │
│║ that kicked off this great collection of songs ║ │
│║ returns in full blast with this up tempo rocker. ║ │
│║ This is a track that bears some similarity ║ │
│║ stylistically to newer bands with more ║ │
│║ influences derived from Helloween, but the ║ │
│║ delivery is flawless. Great vocals, excellent ║ │
│║ guitars, and a decent drum intro. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ 10. Arabia - The closing track is a bit toned ║ │
│║ down compared to the other tracks on this album. ║ │
│║ Unlike the previous release, where the most ║ │
│║ powerful song was the closer, this song sort of ║ │
│║ dies off towards the end. It is a bit unique ║ │
│║ when compared with previous works, but I think ║ │
│║ it could have had alot more energy and could ║ │
│║ have had some more dynamic changes to it. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ In conclusion, Mob Rules has proven itself to be ║ │
│║ nearly as consistent as other bands influenced ║ │
│║ by the NOWBHM such as Iron Savior. This album ║ │
│║ represents a perfect example of that ║ │
│║ consistency. Although it doesn't shine quite as ║ │
│║ bright as other previous releases, it's ║ │
│║ definately a keeper. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ │
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│╔═════════════════════╗ │
│║ Release Tracklist ║ │
│╚═════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════ │
│ │
│ 01 - Black Rain [05:42] │
│ 02 - Hydrophobia [03:33] │
│ 03 - Invitation Time [03:42] │
│ 04 - The Miracle Dancer [05:36] │
│ 05 - Among the Gods [07:31] │
│ 06 - New World Symphony [03:47] │
│ 07 - Ship of Fools [04:30] │
│ 08 - Seven Seas [04:30] │
│ 09 - Meet You in Heaven [04:26] │
│ 10 - Arabia [06:24] │
│ 11 - Get Down (Demo 1997) (Bonus Track) [02:42] │
│ │
│ Total Length : [52:23 minn │
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│ ╔═════════════════════╗ │
│ ║ Greetings To: ║ │
│ ╚═════════════════════╝ │
│ │
│ Too all people who contributes to make this │
│ archive of good music in a exceptional conditions │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│■ ■│
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