MTM Music
2007
1. The Other Side
2. Diary Of Evil
3. Badlands
4. Black
5. The Thunder Roar
6. The Sign
7. Revenge
8. Under The Gun
9. Can't Stand The Heat
10. No Return
11. Last Man Standing
12. Baby Please Don't Go
Though Sinner was Mat Sinner's main focus once upon a time, in more recent years the band has taken a definite back seat to Primal Fear. The two bands have had many musical similarities and Ralf Scheepers' backup vocals in Sinner led to the idea of Primal Fear. Essentially that band was born of Sinner with Ralf singing and Mat opted to focus on the more successful of the two. Well now officially labeled as a side project of Mat, Sinner has resurfaced here with a new release after a 4 year wait. The wait for me was a long one as I really loved their previous album, There Will Be Execution.
Unfortunately, this album seems to have little in common with TWBE and instead opts for a similar toned down, melodic direction as Primal Fear's latest. The results here are far less interesting however. While I like Mat's singing, the melodic direction he takes here along with the mid-paced and generally none too heavy guitar really makes this album seem devoid of energy. This is a sharp contrast to Seven Seals where Ralf's more forceful vocals drive the album along. Also missing here are memorable hooks and choruses and a lot of this album just blends together for me. When you're going for a melodic rock album with none too showy or technical playing it's got to rely on the songwriting and simply put, it's just not here. Predictable and none too memorable songs in a fairly uncreative melodic rock mold are the rule here and are a sharp contrast to the generally heavier and more upbeat album that preceded it. While this album is a decent listen, it lacks any great highlights and I'd rank it as the weakest among Sinner's albums since they shifted to a more power-centric mold in the mid 90s. The only track that really sounds like the heavy groove Sinner we've come to know is the first one which starts with a solid punch. From there though the album seems to go through the motions for the most part. Last Man Standing does also recall a bit heavier Sinner and Thunder Roar is a bit more upbeat and energetic with some solid guest vocals from Andy Franck of Symphorce/Brainstorm.
Basically, this is an alright listen but nothing really jumped out at me in the several times I listened to it. As a fan, I really wanted and expected more out of the band after the last album. No really bad songs here, but no really great ones either. This is probably a passable release for fans, but not the place to start for a new listener. In the end this album is more or less forgettable.
Highlights: Thunder Roar, The Other Side, Last Man Standing
Rating - 3.0/5
2. Diary Of Evil
3. Badlands
4. Black
5. The Thunder Roar
6. The Sign
7. Revenge
8. Under The Gun
9. Can't Stand The Heat
10. No Return
11. Last Man Standing
12. Baby Please Don't Go
Though Sinner was Mat Sinner's main focus once upon a time, in more recent years the band has taken a definite back seat to Primal Fear. The two bands have had many musical similarities and Ralf Scheepers' backup vocals in Sinner led to the idea of Primal Fear. Essentially that band was born of Sinner with Ralf singing and Mat opted to focus on the more successful of the two. Well now officially labeled as a side project of Mat, Sinner has resurfaced here with a new release after a 4 year wait. The wait for me was a long one as I really loved their previous album, There Will Be Execution.
Unfortunately, this album seems to have little in common with TWBE and instead opts for a similar toned down, melodic direction as Primal Fear's latest. The results here are far less interesting however. While I like Mat's singing, the melodic direction he takes here along with the mid-paced and generally none too heavy guitar really makes this album seem devoid of energy. This is a sharp contrast to Seven Seals where Ralf's more forceful vocals drive the album along. Also missing here are memorable hooks and choruses and a lot of this album just blends together for me. When you're going for a melodic rock album with none too showy or technical playing it's got to rely on the songwriting and simply put, it's just not here. Predictable and none too memorable songs in a fairly uncreative melodic rock mold are the rule here and are a sharp contrast to the generally heavier and more upbeat album that preceded it. While this album is a decent listen, it lacks any great highlights and I'd rank it as the weakest among Sinner's albums since they shifted to a more power-centric mold in the mid 90s. The only track that really sounds like the heavy groove Sinner we've come to know is the first one which starts with a solid punch. From there though the album seems to go through the motions for the most part. Last Man Standing does also recall a bit heavier Sinner and Thunder Roar is a bit more upbeat and energetic with some solid guest vocals from Andy Franck of Symphorce/Brainstorm.
Basically, this is an alright listen but nothing really jumped out at me in the several times I listened to it. As a fan, I really wanted and expected more out of the band after the last album. No really bad songs here, but no really great ones either. This is probably a passable release for fans, but not the place to start for a new listener. In the end this album is more or less forgettable.
Highlights: Thunder Roar, The Other Side, Last Man Standing
Rating - 3.0/5
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