Mob Rules Announce New Album With 'Master Of The Black Crow'

Official Announcement | Published: Apr 08, 2026 4:03 PM EDT

(C Squared Music) Mob Rules have announced 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 unveil the first single, "Master Of The Black Crow", a high-energy track that pulls no punches!

Driven by a striking, Celtic-inspired guitar hook, the song stands out for its uncompromising compactness. In its direct approach and razor-sharp structure, the track recalls the raw energy of Black Sabbath's classic Paranoid: not a single ounce of excess, no detours: the song gets straight to the point and unleashes its full impact in the shortest possible time.

With Stories From The Verdant Vale, Mob Rules return to the narrative world introduced with their latest album Rise Of The Ruler (2025), which was widely praised and marked a major milestone in the band's career. The material originates from songs written during the final stages of those sessions, now presented as a special standalone release.

As 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 reveal a slightly more direct and compact approach compared to Rise Of The Ruler, while staying true to the band's signature blend of melodic power metal, atmosphere and storytelling. Expanding the original concept from a different perspective, the material forms a natural extension of Rise Of The Ruler, while each track also stands strong on its own.

Originally conceived in part as exclusive material, Stories From The Verdant Vale now receives a proper release on vinyl and digital platforms. The record was mixed by Markus Teske, with artwork created by Stan W. Decker.