German band Mob Rules are about to release the seventh album of their eighteen year career. ”Cannibal Nation” seems an odd title for a melodic metal band – it seems more suited to bands playing Death metal or one of the other heavier genres, but after eighteen years the bands fans aren’t going to be put off by the album title. There is a reason for the album title – the song of the same name is about African despot Jean-Bédel Bokassa – leader of the Central African Republic who was charged with crimes including Cannibalism.
Musically Mob Rules are Melodic metal – along the lines of Orden Ogan, Blind Guardian and Dragonforce. There are prog elements and power metal too, and there is plenty of power here along with the melodies. The music is very melodic and never allows the power and heaviness to swamp the melody which is important.
”Scream For The Sun (May 29th 1953)” seems an odd title, but the date gives a clue what the song is about – it’s the date that Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest, and that is what the lyrics are about.
As previously mentioned, ”Cannibal nation” is about Jean-Bédel Bokassa, the former African leader charged with crimes including cannibalism.
Final track, ”Sunrise” is an excellent ballad. Using both acoustic guitar and electric to create some lovely atmospheric music, this is a really good ballad and a great way to close the album.
A great album that’s well worth a listen.
”Cannibal nation” will be released on 19th October 2012
Mob Rules are:
Klaus Dirks – Lead vocals
Matthias Mineur – Guitars
Sven Ludke – Guitars
Jan Christian Halfbrodt – Keyboards
Markus Brinkmann – Bass guitar
Nikolas Fritz – Drums
Track Listing:
1. Close My Eyes
2. Lost
3. Tele Box Fool
4. Ice And Fire
5. Soldiers Of Fortune
6. The Sirens
7. Scream For The Sun (May 29th 1953)
8. Cannibal Nation
9. Sunrise
Bonus track on ltd. edition digipak:
10. Children Of The Flames (live in Atlanta)
