The ADRENALINE MOB is back with it’s sophomore album, “Men Of Honor”, out on Century Media and there is no letdown or “sophomore jinx” happening here. I reviewed the previous two releases by ADRENALINE MOB (2012’s debut “Omerta” and 2013’s covers record “Coverta”) and I wasn’t really sure if the band would do another studio record. See, at the time the band featured the man with the shortest attention span in rock, Mr. Mike Portnoy, and I figured he’d soon be onto his next project and A MOB would fizzle out but I was also keen on seeing where the band’s sound could take them if they continued. Well, Portnoy is gone but the band has continued seemingly without losing a step. Mike Orlando and Russell Allen (along with John Moyer of DISTURBED) have drafted the one and only AJ Pero (TWISTED SISTER) into the ranks and are forging on as strong as ever.

When I reviewed the debut album I indicated the band almost had a “split personality”, as some songs had a modern metal sound ala DISTURBED and even PANTERA while others had a more classic hard rock persona to them. I actually now enjoy the bands mixture of putting these two styles together and it seems to have become their own “signature sound” of sorts.

“Men Of Honor” opens with the perfect (albeit totally over the top!) song in “Mob Is Back”. The band lets you know they are truly back on the scene and taking no prisoners. The lyrics make this the perfect live opener too. The song is heavy but with a catchy chorus and Allen has the perfect amount of attitude in his vocals. “Come On Get Up” continues with the modern metal sound with its abrasive lyrics but there is that melodic chorus again to help keep your attention. The band seems to have a knack for being heavy and melodic at the same time and that is certainly a good characteristic to drawn in a wide-ranging listening audience. It’s really no different than what a lot of the modern metal acts from the 90’s tried to do but in the end the songs that A MOB craft put them a step above.

One of the stronger tracks on offer is “Dearly Departed”. It builds to an epic anthem of sorts… if actual mobsters had an anthem that is. It tells the story of someone turning his back on the “family” told from the perspective of the one’s who were turned on and how it needs to be handled. The heaviness is there but this song has a melodic side in the arrangement that garbs you and wont let go. It’s a strong track and one that should get some attention.

Remember I spoke of the band having a split personality earlier? Well here is an example of that as “Behind These Eyes” is monumental ballad not far in sound from the track “All On The Line” from the debut record. It features acoustics and a classy arrangement. I said back at the time of reviewing the bands debut that they do this style amazing well and I am glad they continue to feature songs of this style alongside the more abrasive tunes they craft. It sort of reminds me of something the band SAVATAGE did with their records and I love that “light and dark” (or should I say “silk and steel” approach!)

On “Let It Go” the band does it’s best DISTURBED impression with heaviness abound and commanding, attitude-laden backing vocals. Another strong track is “Feel The Adrenaline” and as you’d take from the title it is heavy and fast with its double bass drum runs but also is highly melodic with its chorus. I envision this song garnering some mosh pit action in concert for sure! The guitar solo is pure spitfire by Orlando also.

The title track is another attitude-laden and abrasive song in the verses but Allen sings the chorus to a melodic perfection and the song comes off as another of the strong tracks on the record. Orlando brings the acoustics back into the picture on “Crystal Clear” and Allen is particularly impressive as this guy can sing with attitude from hell one minute and then turn in a silky smooth performance like the one on this track the next. He is truly one of the better voices on the hard rock and metal scene these days.

“House Of Lies” turns things back up on the heaviness scale. The only way to describe this song in the lyric department is “violently sexy”! The lyrics are pretty straightforward when you listen and the music is a perfect compliment to the lyrical content. It’s fast and furious and has an attitude! “Judgment Day” is another modern and heavy track with some angry vocals from Allen. He sort of channels his inner Phil Anselmo on the track.

“Men Of Honor” ends with the track “Fallin’ To Pieces” and it’s another track to feature acoustic guitars but mixed with more heaviness this time around. There is a strange production effect added at times to the acoustic sound but the chorus is a classy melodic hard rock approach and Orlando turns in a fitting guitar solo that suits the song very well. It’s not his usual “speedy” approach but more melodic keeping in tune with the mid-pace of the song.

“Men Of Honor” is another great piece of work from ADRENALINE MOB and now that they have shown this is a band that seems to have some life to it I am eager to check them out on tour again and hopefully have the chance to review future albums.