German heavy metal veterans MOB RULES have announced their new album Stories From The Verdant Vale, set for release on August 21 via ROAR, a division of Reigning Phoenix Music.
To mark the announcement, the band has unveiled the first single “Master Of The Black Crow,” a high-energy track driven by a Celtic-inspired guitar hook and a sharp, direct structure. Its stripped-down intensity recalls the concise impact of Paranoid by Black Sabbath, delivering maximum force without excess.
Listen here
A continuation of Rise Of The Ruler
With Stories From The Verdant Vale, MOB RULES return to the narrative world introduced on Rise Of The Ruler. The material originates from songs written during the final stages of those sessions and is now presented as a standalone release.
Vocalist Klaus Dirks explains:
“During the final stages of completing the album, we discussed possible bonus material for the earbook edition with the label. We were reluctant to use demo versions or similar material. This motivated us to write a few new songs. We were well aware of what we were getting ourselves into, but we also wanted to challenge ourselves a little.”
The songs take a more direct and compact approach while maintaining the band’s signature mix of melody, atmosphere, and storytelling. Expanding the original concept from a different perspective, the material stands both as a continuation and as a collection of independent tracks.
The album was mixed by Markus Teske with artwork by Stan W Decker.
Pre-order here
Side A
- Savage Land Reprise
- Master Of The Black Crow
- Masquerade Ball
- Above The Maelstrom
- Balance Of Power
Side B
- Celebration Day (2014 Version, feat. Bernhard Weiß)
- Insurgeria (2014 Version, feat. Udo Dirkschneider)
- Coast To Coast (2014 Version, feat. Chity Somapala)
- End Of All Days (2014 Version, feat. Amanda Somerville)
- Broken
Formed in Northern Germany in the early 1990s, MOB RULES have built a reputation for concept-driven albums, strong melodies, and atmospheric depth. With ten studio releases including Rise Of The Ruler, the band continues to refine their sound while staying rooted in classic heavy metal traditions.
Lineup
Klaus Dirks – Vocals
Sven Lüdke – Guitar
Florian Dyszbalis – Guitar
Markus Brinkmann – Bass
Jan Christian Halfbrodt – Keys
Sebastian Schmidt – Drums