In the 80s and 90s, to look into the future and think ‘will I be listening to Metal in 30 years?’ or ‘will the bands I love endure such long time?’ were questions that many did about time and age (I confess I thought about such things in 1986 or 1987), because to endure long time isn’t something expected. But some endure and keep their careers in relevant terms, and the cult German act MOB RULES. Even with all hardships, here they are to celebrate their 30th anniversary with “Celebration Day - 30 Years of Mob Rules”. As said above, this release is a celebration, so it’s clear that’s a compilation. On it, the fans will find some songs that never were released before or just on digital formats (here remastered by Markus Teske), some that were re-recorded, and all those old and good anthems that the fans love.

For a celebration, this set of songs depicts the main genre of the sextet: that old and good melodic approach on German Power Metal, guarding resemblances with acts as HELLOWEEN, SINNER and PRIMAL FEAR, but with a personal insight on the genre, with a fine balance between the technical aspects with the melodic care on the arrangements, with remarkable choruses. The production shows an amazing care with the choice of the songs, and even for the sonority. The band seems to have done something with the tracks to normalize the volume, but keeping things as they were on their times. The final result is truly excellent, and what great artwork of Stan-W Decker (who already worked with PRIMAL FEAR, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, RAGE and others).

Musically speaking, the greater value of this compilation lies on the unreleased songs (or that only existed on digital versions before). In this aspect, it’s amazing to hear their versions for songs as “Run to the Hills” (obviously, it’s the old anthem of IRON MAIDEN), “Fame” (an old Pop song of the 80s of Irene Cara, the main theme of the TV series of the same name, here presented on a more metalized way, but with strong emphasis on the keyboards), “Square Hammer” (of GHOST, of their EP “Popestar”, here in a more Power Metal way), “Raven’s Flight” (of Swedish Death Metal Vikings of AMON AMARTH, with a song again dressed in a Melodic Power Metal way), “Hymn of the Damned” (a MOB RULES’ song, here presented for the first time on a physical media), “Lord of Madness” (here in a re-recorded version) and “Sacred Heart” (of DIO, released on a Single two years ago).

The others are songs of their previous release, as “Way of the World” (a song that has as special guest Roland Grapow, of MASTERPLAN), “Ghost of a Chance” (that bears a lot of influences of Hard Rock in some moments), “Hollowed Be Thy Name”, “Black Rain”, “Ice & Fire”, “Flag of Life”, “Shores Ahead”, “Hydrophobia”, “Desperate Son”, “The Sirens” (another moment with a care inherited from Hard Rock on the arrangements), and “Trial by Fire”. But the musical taste of the reader can have other choices.

“Celebration Day - 30 Years of Mob Rules” fulfills its duty to celebrate the 30th anniversary of MOB RULES. Join the party!