By Vinnie Apicella Here's a new one out of Germany… The Mob Rules doesn't quite apply in this universe I'm afraid… so immediately put away your Sabbath biases. Mob Rules' first undertaking has the markings of a winner… nevertheless the fight goes on. "Savage Land" explores the current symptoms that plague our universe, and the potentially damaging consequences of natural resourceless-ness. Modeled somewhat in theme to the "Mad Max," "Waterworld" type of visions of the future, Mob Rules examines a world destined for doom, but one that can indeed rise up again to flourish… a hard lesson learned for its present inhabitants? Possibly-but the lesson here is a stellar example in how to let the music dictate the direction of the album. "Savage Land" delivers on all fronts, ranging from the bombastically oriented power strokes of "Insurgeria," the self-starting opening track that speaks of triumph in the wake of tragedy, to "Hold Back the Light" which operates musically in a similar manner to later Queensryche and the full effect of softer tones in getting the full emotional impact across. Typically, Mob Rules make strong use of backing vocal ability and harmonies, led by a vocalist that falls somewhere within the Axel Rudi, Kai Hansen range-the name's Klaus Dirks and it shouldn't be long before individual recognition befalls him… provided he lasts long enough to tell another tale in the wake of "End of All Days." This, the final album track, misleadingly speaks not of the bitter end but rather of new hope and new trust. "Savage Land" in fact is reminiscent of another album of the same name done by the now defunct X-Wild, fellow German power metallers who sang a similar tune at the time-both bands work well within the reality-based fantasy realm and here Mob Rules leads the charge for the next wave of Deutschland's metal stalwarts with their gripping story… "Savage Land," one that flashes a serious concern in an imaginative presentation set to a future world of hope… © 2000, BBHrdRpt

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