Mob Rules – Rise of the Ruler
Release Date: 22nd August 2025
Label: ROAR
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Genre: Power Metal
FFO: Iron Maiden, Hammerfall, Masterplan, Primal Fear.
Review By: Eric Wilt
Fans of early Mob Rules will be glad to learn that the band is returning to the saga they began with Savage Land in 1999 and continued on Temple of Two Suns in 2000. After 25 years, the band is going “back to the savage land” on the aptly titled Rise of the Ruler. In typical Mob Rules fashion, the band returns to their apocalyptic vision with ten songs of sheer power metal glory. And if you’re new to the Savage Lands saga, don’t fret because the opening track, The Fall of Dendayar, sets the stage with narration.
I actually came to Mob Rules via their 2004 release Among the Gods, but one thing all of their releases have in common is energetic, melodic, and heavy German power metal anthems with catchy songwriting, accomplished musicianship, and soaring vocals. In this, Rise of the Ruler is no different. Mob Rules is most comfortable on the album when they are riding a driving beat through songs like Back to Savage Land, Trial and Trail of Fear, Coast of Midgard, and Equilibrium (Rise of the Ruler). These are the songs that get a crowd’s fists pumping. Fans of the speedier side of power metal will enjoy the double bass driven riffs of Exiled and Future Loom, which see the band putting the pedal to the metal. While the album is balanced out by the ballad On the Trail as well as the somber Dawn of Second Sun and the more progressive Providence.
Rise of the Ruler as an album is so well-thought-out that it feels like a satisfying and complete package on its own, but fans may be interested to know that in addition to creating two videos that bring Mob Rules’ apocalyptic vision to the screen, they are also offering an Earbook edition of the album, which comes with an exclusive bonus CD containing five additional, brand-new songs, as well as a spoken version of the concept story, an alternative version of “Dawn Of Second Sun” and the two video clips for “Back To Savage Land” and “Dawn Of Second Sun”. I don’t usually detail special editions of the albums I review, but I am just impressed with how seriously the band has taken the story and its presentation.
While Mob Rules has seldom missed in their decades-long career, Rise of the Ruler feels like a high-water marks for them. Fans of power metal will find much to love on the album, and those who enjoyed the story on their early records will appreciate their return to the savage lands.
(4 / 5)
