German melodic metallers MOB RULES have parted ways with guitarist Oliver Fuhlhage. "Oliver left the band for new horizons in private and professional matters," the group write on their web site. "Having eight great years with him, his performance on the strings pushed us forward and we'd like to have him a great time and say: All the best for your future! Hope to see you at one of our next shows. No doubt about having a friendship, for these eight years really burned in into our band feeling."

Replacing Fuhlhage in the group's ranks is Sven Lüdge. "This great dude is a real booster in both ways for the band: as a human being and, of course, as a musician," the band write. "Sven was with MURDER ONE before and several years ago we've been touring with those guys. This is where we have met him as a dilly guitar player and friend. He was the one and only candidate to fill this position — you could even name him a planned member. We're totally sold on the first rehearsals and on October 15 , Sven is on stage for a warm up in Emden. After that we head for France and it might be his real baptism of fire."

In other news, MOB RULES are currently compiling footage for their first DVD. "We have been catching the whole vibes on — and backstage with a total of nine cameras at the show that started in 'Pumpwerk' last June," the group write on their web site. What is more: we have additionals of the rehearsals, the warm-ups, the WADJ gig and our interviews. We will not refuse to the great deal of work sampling that to a diversified DVD, planned to start in the end of October — we really look forward to doing that!"

The as-yet-untitled disc is tentatively scheduled for release in March/April 2005.

MOB RULES' fourth album, "Among The Gods", was issued in May through SPV Records. The disc was released as a digipack featuring a bonus CD of previously unreleased audio and video material. Three short MP3 clips from the new album can be downloaded at this location.