Another impressive release from this impressive group.

Not a band to let the grass grow under their feet – since their inception around four years ago they've released two full-length albums and three EP's (of which this is the third albeit one that's nine tracks and forty-two minutes long) – Adrenaline Mob are nothing if not prolific.

Formed around the nucleus of vocalist Russell Allen (Symphony X), guitarist extraordinaire Mike Orlando and one-time Dream Theater/Avenged Sevenfold drummer Mike Portnoy (who has since left the group to be replaced by AJ Pero), they play a very groove-oriented brand of intense "thinking man's Metal" which, whilst disconcertingly abrasive at first, is actually quite compelling once it sinks its hooks into your cerebral cortex. It's not even been a year since their last studio album 'Men Of Honor' first saw the light of day, but in an effort to keep the momentum going, the band have recorded another maxi-EP to satisfy their ever growing army of fans.

Similar in some respects to 2013's highly successful 'Coverta' EP, 'Dearly Departed' features a selection of covers (four in total), plus three acoustic tracks (two from 'Omerta' and one from '...Honor'), a radio edit of '...Departed' itself and the previously unreleased 'Gets You Through The Night' (a leftover from the '...Honor' sessions).

Starting with the one new track, '...Night' has a real Dio feel to it and is, in my humble opinion, worth the admission price alone. This kind of amphetamine-fuelled Hard Rock is Allen in his natural element in my way of thinking and he turns in a snarling performance ol' Ronnie James would've been justly proud of! Additionally, Orlando once again proves why prestigious industry commentators like Guitar Player Magazine rate his talent so highly by turning in a stunning display of expertly controlled brutality.

If I am honest, most of the time I can take or leave acoustic tracks depending on my mood, but the likes of 'Crystal Clear' and 'All On The Line' have a beguiling, oft addictively melancholic atmosphere that makes them as compelling, if not more so, than the originals!

As for the covers I hear you ask? My personal favourite has to be their deliciously rabid run through of the old Charlie Daniels Band standard 'Devil Went Down To Georgia' (another prime example of Orlando's talents), although with a sterling Black Sabbath medley, Pat Travers' 'Snortin' Whiskey' and the Queen classic 'Tie Your Mother Down' you really can't go wrong. This is indeed another impressive release from this impressive group.

Dave Cockett