Going back to your origins on the eighth full length effort after eighteen long years and numerous line-up changes is a risky attempt. German heavy metal quintet Rebellion has however managed to recapture the spirit of yore and delivers a very convincing output with A Tragedy in Steel Part II: Shakespeare's King Lear. This conceptual heavy metal effort featuring twelve songs with a generous running time of sixty-four minutes shouldn't only appeal to historians and English teachers.

None of the twelve songs on here are fillers or stinkers and several noteworthy highlights can be found instead. ''Dowerless Daughter'' for instance combines traditional heavy metal with liberating oomph and conceptual storytelling without any lengths at its very best. ''Thankless Child'' is a creative, diversified and emotional epic clocking in at just below seven minutes and reminding most of the band's praiseworthy debut record. ''Black Is the World'' oozes with atmosphere, emotions and grandeur as it grows with every spin.

The record convinces with a heavy, organic and pleasantly traditional production that makes all contributors shine. This includes the numerous talented narrators and the versatile singer. It also applies to the rhythm section around the bumbling bass guitar and the energetic drum play that never takes too much space. The guitars and keyboards provide depth, melody and warmth that make this release a genre highlight.

Even though this album is slightly running out of steam by the end, it's overall still a very consistent, convincing and inspired effort that is only a tiny notch below the high quality of Shakespeare's Macbeth - A Tragedy in Steel.

In the end, I would go as far as to say that this is Rebellion's strongest studio record since the group's numerous line-up changes that occurred in the year 2010. A Tragedy in Steel Part II: Shakespeare's King Lear is a conceptual heavy metal record that should appeal to fans of the band's early years but also to potential new followers thanks to its gritty energy and inspiring intellect. Perhaps this album will also inspire heavy metal fans to pick up William Shakespeare's wonderful literature which could be an amazing side effect of this very good release.

Final Rating: 82%

About a dozen years ago, I decided to stop listening to Rebellion's records after a series of confusing line-up changes, a tame effort with Arminius: Furor Teutonicus and questionable behaviour by a band member that shouldn't be described further. The time has now come to give this band another chance and revisit its past few studio records, starting with Wyrd bið ful aræd - The History of the Saxons. As you can read, this effort is a conceptual heavy metal record about the Saxons and features twelve songs with a total running time of fifty-four minutes.

I'm glad to announce that this record is a significant step forward in comparison to its immediate predecessor. The songwriting is more focused. However, the creativity has become more eclectic this time around. The record is consistent from start to finish without any fillers or stinkers. The complex subject is treated with intellect, passion and respect.

Highlights include the creative, diversified and entertaining ''God of Mercy'' with its wonderful radio play sections, inspired musicianship and stomping mid-paced energy, the epic, heroic and liberating ''Take to the Sea'' with its memorable chorus and atmospheric power ballad ''Slave Religion'' that grows with every spin and happens to be my favourite song on the entire output thus far. The organic production enhances the quality of the material offered on this release. Its style is most similar to the band's debut album Shakespeare's Macbeth - A Tragedy in Steel that is however still a notch better in terms of execution, passion and songwriting.

At the end of the day, Rebellion's seventh full length effort Wyrd bið ful aræd - The History of the Saxons is a step in the right direction after the unconvincing predecessor. Fans of the group's early years and Teutonic heavy metal groups such as Accept, Grave Digger and Rage should certainly check this album out. It might not be able to compete with the group's greatest efforts but is nonetheless a very good conceptual heavy metal effort that should equally appeal to your brain and to your heart. After a long break from the group, Rebellion is back on my radar again and deserves much recognition.

Final rating: 80%