My Reviews of Rebellion's Discography from 2002 until 2023: Part Two

The Best of Viking History (2012)

No Redeeming Qualities Whatsoever

German power and heavy metal band Rebellion had once planned to offer a box set of its Viking trilogy consisting of the records Sagas of Iceland - The History of the Vikings - Volume I, Miklagard - The History of the Vikings - Volume II and Arise: From Ginnungagap to Ragnarök - The History of the Vikings Volume III with some exclusive additional material such as live recordings once the last part of the trilogy would be released. What we got instead is a compilation of the cheapest kind that wasn't even released physically. The Best of Viking History is only available digitally and only features songs from the previous three albums without any exclusive material.

Just a quick look at the cover artwork reveals how cheap this release actually is. The cover artwork and even the band photo have been used before and the only new thing about this cover is the bland title written all over it. The band photo and the title actually hide the beautiful parts of this cover artwork such as the dragonhead and the golden city of Miklagard.

Even the track list has its flaws. The majestic power metal stomper "The Sons of the Dragon Slayer (Blood Eagle)" which is one of the band's most famous tracks didn't even make it onto this release. The mid-tempo stomper "Eric the Red", another highlight from the first part of the trilogy, has also been omitted. The quasi-title track and single of the second record entitled "Miklagard" is also missing on this uninspired release. The epic "Thor", the centrepiece of the third record, has also been ignored for this cheap compilation. Needless to say that the record doesn't include any of the exclusive material from the great The Clans Are Marching EP either.

In the end, this release is a failure from any possible point of view. Faithful fans don't get any new material. Occasional fans get a rehashed cover and only a bland digital release. New fans aren't even able to listen to some of the band's greatest songs that were instead replaced by several tunes that can be considered fillers of an average quality such as "Harald Hadrade", "Taste of Steel" and "Runes". There isn't even one single positive element about this record. As a fan of the three albums covered by this compilation, I'm more than disappointed. Those who are responsible for this release should be banned from the music business forever. 

Final Rating: 0% 

Arminius: Furor Teutonicus (2012)

No Fury, Just Routine

After the big bang at the end of the year 2010 when three out of five members left Teutonic heavy and power metal band Rebellion, I was eager to hear what the band’s sixth album “Arminius: Furor Teutonicus” would sound like. In fact, nothing has changed at all. The new album is another historical concept album and features grounded mid- to up-tempo tracks with crunchy riffs and powerful, rough and unique vocals. The rhythm section with drums and especially bass guitar could sound better and add some more dynamics to the sound in my opinion.

Some tracks like the album highlight and diversified opener “Rest In Peace” or the atmospheric “Dusk Awaiting Dawn” have a rather epic touch while others are rather simple bangers such as the predictable single “Ala Germanica” or the more aggressive “Prince Of The Cheruscer” that varies between traditional or true heavy metal trademarks and a few almost groove metal orientated riffs. The album closes with the more or less necessary ballad “Requiem” but I guess you would have figured that out on your own.

This album should please to any Rebellion fan and is a quite solid continuation of the band’s typical trademarks. Some may see in this a sign of consistency and quality, others might find the new output too predictable and repetitive. I feel a little bit torn between both points of view. While the record is energizing and has a couple of immediately appealing tracks, I miss a truly outstanding song or a new experimental element that would add a fresh note to the band concept eleven years after its formation.

Only faithful fans should get this record that I see on one level with Born A Rebel and Miklagard – The History Of The Vikings – Volume II but below the excellence of Shakespeare’s MacBeth – A Tragedy In Steel, Sagas Of Iceland – The History Of The Vikings – Volume I and Arise: From Ginnungagap To Ragnarök – The History Of The Vikings – Volume III. Occasional fans should rather go for a different record of the band or pick the excellent last Grave Digger release Clash Of The Gods that is very similar in style. 

Final Rating: 69%

Wyrd bið ful aræd - The History of the Saxons (2015)

Teutonic Heavy Metal Appealing to Your Brain and Heart

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%

A Tragedy in Steel, Part II: Shakespeare's King Lear (2018)

 Going Back to the Roots in an Energetic and Inspired Way

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%