MOB RULES

The Dio era continued with strength and confidence, but not without its limits.

"Mob Rules" is Black Sabbath's second album with Ronnie James Dio and marks the beginning of a lineup many fans consider the second best after the original: Ronnie on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, and Vinny Appice on drums. This lineup would later return for "Dehumanizer" in the 90s and the Heaven and Hell project much later.

Turn Up the Night opens the album in a similar spirit to Neon Knights from the previous record. Fast and energetic, but unfortunately not particularly memorable. Voodoo follows as a straightforward hard rock track that does its job, but also fails to leave a lasting impression.

The Sign of the Southern Cross is the first major highlight of the album: a heavy, atmospheric epic that showcases Dio's power and Iommi's mastery of dynamics. E5150 comes next. An eerie instrumental that introduces an ambient, experimental layer to the album. It hints at the more atmospheric direction Sabbath would explore further in the superior "Born Again".

Then comes The Mob Rules, a powerful burst of fast-paced heavy metal that stands as one of the most aggressive and solid songs on the record. It arguably would have made a better opener than Turn Up the Night. Country Girl delivers some darker hard rock with decent energy, but it doesn't fully stand out. Much like Slipping Away, which adds a slightly funky groove and allows Geezer Butler to return to the spotlight with a few tasteful bass flourishes.

Fortunately, the record picks up again with Falling Off the Edge of the World, which may be the second-best track on the album. It has drawn comparisons to Iron Maiden's early style, with some fans noting it sounds like something Paul Di'Anno could have sung, and others calling it the best Iron Maiden song Iron Maiden never wrote.

That strong momentum continues with Over and Over, a slow-burning closer filled with dense, mournful riffs and a powerful sense of emotional weight.

Conclusion: "Mob Rules" is a solid album, featuring strong performances and a rawer, more aggressive sound than "Heaven and Hell". However, it doesn't quite reach the same level of inspiration or consistency. Too many filler tracks prevent it from being truly excellent.

Still, it remains a very respectable entry in the Sabbath catalog, and a key chapter in the Dio era.

Best tracks: The Sign of the Southern Cross, The Mob Rules, Falling Off the Edge of the World, Over and Over.

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