German power metal veterans MOB RULES have announced their new album, Stories From The Verdant Vale, set for release on August 21, 2026 via ROAR (a division of Reigning Phoenix Music). To mark the announcement, the band has unveiled the first single, "Master Of The Black Crow".
Driven by a Celtic-inspired guitar hook and a razor-sharp structure, the song stands out for its uncompromising compactness. In its direct approach and sheer economy of means, the track recalls the raw energy of BLACK SABBATH's classic "Paranoid" — not a single ounce of excess, no detours, straight to the point.
Stories From The Verdant Vale serves as a companion piece to the band's previous album Rise Of The Ruler (2025), which was widely praised and marked a major milestone in the band's career. The material emerged from songs written during the final stages of those sessions and is now presented as a standalone release.
Vocalist Klaus Dirks explained: "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."
The album features a slightly more direct and compact approach compared to Rise Of The Ruler, while preserving the band's signature blend of melodic power metal, atmosphere, and storytelling. The record was mixed by Markus Teske, with artwork by Stan W. Decker. It will be available on vinyl and digitally. The release also includes bonus tracks featuring guest appearances from Udo Dirkschneider and Amanda Somerville.