Adrenaline Mob
Men Of Honor

I can't say 'Omertà' was a knuckle sandwich but definitely a clean punch back in 2012. Now the Adrdenaline Mob has found their way back to the studio and the "super group" with Russel Allen in front leaves few disappointed. 'Men Of Honor' is clearly more knuckle than sandwich and without going to far with it, definitely a hard one too.

Mike Portnoy has handed the drumsticks to A. J. Pero and left the mob, which might sound like a bad thing of you're in to technical drumming but personally I can't say it's had any negative effect at all… it sounds more or less like it did on 'Omertà' and if anything the music has become more technical for this one, though I doubt the difference that the drumming has had for that. If you missed the debut from this mob and can't be bothered to click the link on your left for the review on that one, Adrenaline Mob is a band that though coming from progressive roots in Russel Allen and Mike Portnoy hasn't laid a progressive twist on their music. Instead, this band is more heavy fucking metal that can rock you like a hurricane - clearly more X than symphony and nightmare rather than dream (nowadays also more twisted than sister).

The first song really sets the tone and states what's going on: the mob is back and they are so to give you the heaviest show in your neighbourhood. And I'm prepared to agree with them. The music is so heavy you can break bones with it and I think the only thing they do to stop this heaviness to merge with the flow of the music in a neat way is putting high pitched solos in the mix every now and then. I can't say I find this being the best of choices as the solos makes more damage than contribution to the music. But there are other things going on that has a positive effect on the music, most of all the vocals from Russel Allen, who once again has approached the beast inside. As he roars out "I HEARD YOU TOOK ONE IN THE FACE, COME ON! GET UP!!!" my thoughts aren't even remotely heading for the sexual allusion in those words, which it would do if anyone else said that. The song in which he utters these words is called Come On Get Up and is one of my favorites of the album, though far from the only one I like. The title track is also good, the concluding Fallin' To Pieces is another one and Dearly Departed a third. The album is enjoyable, nice and rocks at the same time and overall I'd say that 'Men Of Honor' is better than it's predecessor in almost every way.

With eleven tracks and just above 51 minutes it feels like a good amount of Adrenaline for now, not too long and not too little. It's said that they have a great live show in the album information, which I can't really comment as I have yet to see them live but if it's true that they are a better live band than they are at albums they should be pretty damn good as this album is rocking big time. The instrumental performances sets the mob rocking and that shear aggressiveness that comes from Mr. Allen and his vocals makes this band much more a Symphony XXX than anything else.

I do like 'Men Of Honor' and I like it better than 'Omertà'. It feels like a band heading for something really big but before they get there I honestly think they need to adres those stupid guitar solos that are forced in to the music. Once that issue is corrected they can spread that adrenaline that pumps through the music of this band and when that's happening, this mob will take over the world!

HHHHHHH