I’ve talked extensively about the flawed nature of the classic approach of Power Metal. It’s older sound always felt useless because why would I listen to a younger band try their best to do a DIO impression when I could just listen to DIO Himself. However, one band that I can make an exception for is Mob Rules. Gaining their name from the famous Black Sabbath album. These guys shattered my presumptions of that side of Power Metal. To understand the mastery of Mob Rules, I want to look into one of their dynamic albums, Beast Reborn, to develop an effective case in affirmation of older Power Metal. To do this, I need to inspect each track and look into the DNA of Mob Rules.

“Beast Reborn”: 3

   Starting off the record is a prelude and the title track. Even though it is composed masterfully, I’m not sure if it is appropriate for the song to be a title track. As I’ve said before, these songs should encompass the entirety of the album. 

“Ghost of a Chance”: 5

   Officially starting the album, listeners get an earful of bombastic metal. Its contrasting nature is a thorough outlook of the aforementioned bands. The feeling of speed when it truly isn’t speed is a perfect psychological study of metal. The song soars, making listeners feel like they are levitating. It focuses on themes of desperate hope, resilience, and fighting against low odds

“Shores Ahead”: 3

   Unfortunately, listeners may get pulled out of the dreamstate with a vanilla-sounding Power Metal track. Especially in comparison to the grandeur of the previous track. I might be a little biased since I’ve listened to many bands who have done the Power Metal approach infinitely better than this song. The only thing that has any substance is the lyrics. Speaking of lyrics, the track establishes dystopian, end-time scenarios and emotional resilience.

“Sinsiter Light”: 4

   Luckily, Mob Rules rebound with an anthem. This track soars throughout the song. It’s energetic and has an oddly happy sound. As I listen to more, it reminds me a lot of Iron Maiden with the way the melodies ebb and flow. Based on the lyrics, the song tells a story of a person pursued by an avenging force, often depicted as a “hound of the damned” or a “sinister light” that reveals hidden truths. 

“Traveller in Time”: 4

    Usually, I’m not a huge fan of slower building songs, especially this approach to the choruses, but I think it’s unique to both the sound and the overall genre. I love how bouncy the drumwork is compared to the fuller guitars. Thematically, it’s about a time-traveling entity or figure—often interpreted as a nod to the urban legend/internet mystery of John Titor—who visits our present to deliver warnings and truth.

“Children’s Crusade”: 4

   I don’t have a lot to say instrumentally, but I’ll try my best. The guitar work combines the fullness of Iron Maiden with the thrashiness of Judas Priest. The biggest part of this track is the lyrical theme. “Children’s Crusade” recounts the tragic 1212 historical event where thousands of European children, driven by misguided religious fervor and innocence, marched toward the Holy Land.

“War of Currents”: 5

  One thing I can say about Mob Rules is that they are masters at composition and the ebb and flow of their music. They hit every grand note, feeling like a choir in a church. It has a progressive approach that can’t be understated. The track’s narrative is based on the rivalry between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla over which electrical system—Direct Current (DC) or Alternating Current (AC)—would power the modern world.

“The Explorer”: 3

   All that momentum…Destroyed! I’m kidding, even though I’m not a huge fan of this song because it blends in with the album. It’s not horrible, but it’s in the middle of the road. On an album with this much great content, I have to critique mediocrity. 

“The Revenant of The Sea”: 4

   Counting on, listeners get a lighter application of the ballad and the more progressive composition. I can’t remember which band it was, but I always liked it when bands started combining styles. The latter parts of the track list instead of fully copying and pasting songs. The track takes on an easier listen but doesn’t sacrifice the soaring guitarwork and vocals. Mob Rules tells the story of a ghost or spirit bound to the ocean, longing for rest, remembrance, and release from a purgatorial existence.

“Way Back Home”: 3

   Typically, I would at least give this song its blooms for having a great placement for a ballad.  But they covered it perfectly with “The Revenant of the Sea. I just don’t need to hear a traditional power ballad. Especially since I perfectly predicted that it would be just another attempt at “Fear of the Dark” by Iron Maiden or DIO’s “Don’t Talk to Strangers.” The lyrics speak of traveling far, searching for a new destiny outside the known realm, and returning “the same, but somehow reborn”.

“My Sobriety Mind(For Those Who) “:4

   What an ending. The track is a fantastic way to end the album. You can tell that each event put their all into this track. Honestly, I can definitely see this on an Iron Maiden album. One of the purest pieces of music I’ve heard. It touches on loneliness, cherishing memories, and letting go, stemming from personal experiences of loss within the band.

   Overall, this album helped me understand the hype around this trend in the genre. Even though hindsight is 20/20, if bands like this were to approach composition the way Mob Rules did on this record, I would have changed my opinion.