Sinner | One Bullet Left
by Nikiforos Skoumas
Staff Writer
Mat Sinner re-emerges in 2011 with his personal musical outfit Sinner and a brand new album, One Bullet Left, the group’s 17th studio offering to date. It is perhaps true that Mat’s involvement in various musical projects over the past couple of years, namely Kiske Somerville, Scheepers and Jamison-Kimball delayed the release of a new Sinner album for quite some time.
Three years past Crash & Burn, Sinner reform under an all-star Teutonic line-up, featuring beyond the legendary bassist/vocalist, established guitarist Christof Leim (The New Black), newcomer guitarist Alex Scholp (Tarja), plus six string virtuoso Alex Beyordt. Having formed his own outfit Voodoo Circle and now a full-time member of Primal Fear, Alex rejoins Sinner a decade since he left the ranks. The line up is completed by drum prodigy Andre Hilgers (Rage) who played with Beyordt in Silent Force.
So clearly the new Sinner is a German melodic hard rock super-group at its own right; yet one could very likely question how well would the three-guitar line up function. Well, One Bullet Left picks up where Crash & Burn left off. Traditionally Sinner would make use of a few guitar lines on each track so the three guitar formation does not particularly alter the style or sound of the group. As expected, the lead guitar parts are largely contributed by Alex Beyrodt who never ceases to amaze. The guitarist has always been diverse performing music from power metal (Silent Force) to vintage hard rock (Voodoo Circle) and now perfectly recreates the Gorham/Robertson guitar vibe on the Lizzy-influenced tunes of One Bullet Left.
Without any exaggeration, One Bullet Left holds some of the lengthiest guitar melodies one has come across in 2011 with the guitar crowned once again the protagonist instrument of Sinner. Moving away from the guitars, one also has to acknowledge the contribution of Hilgers who proves himself just as accomplished a hard rock drummer as he is a power/progressive percussion master.
When it comes to their leader, there simply is no stopping the German rock/metal hero proving once again that he bares every bit the same drive and passion that has defined his music since 1981 (a time before Helloween, Grave Digger, Blind Guardian and Rage). Once again Matt writes and performs drama-filled lyrics on “The One You Left Behind,” “Suicide Mission,” “One Bullet Left” and “Wake Me When I’m Sober” once again portraying the outcast, hero and sinner. Still that is simply one side of the coin named One Bullet Left as the release features a good amount of up-lifting tunes such as “Back on Trail,” “Atomic Playboys” and “Mind over Matter.” Finally with a total of 14 tracks of the limited edition (plus the promo video for Back on Trail), One Bullet Left is one of the longeest albums to come out of the Sinner camp. Overall, fans of guitar-driven melodic hard rock should definitely try Sinner’s new offering, the man never fails to deliver the goods.
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock
Line-up:
Mat Sinner – Vocals, Bass
Alex Beyrodt – Guitars
Christof Leim – Guitars
Alex Scholpp – Guitars
Andre Hilgers – Drums
Track List:
01. The One You Left Behind (3:40)
02. Back On Trail (3:56)
03. Give & Take (4:55)
04. One Bullet Left (4:41)
05. 10 2 Death (3:15)
06. Haunted (5:20)
07. Atomic Playboys (4:37)
08. Suicide Mission (3:30)
09. Wake Me When I’m Sober (3:56)
10. Mind Over Matter (4:00)
11. Mend To Be Broken (3:54)
12. Rolling Away (4:56)
13. Still Unbroken (Bonus Track) (3:38)
14. My Final Day (Bonus Track) (3:43)
Band website: www.MatSinner.de
Label website: http://www.afm-records.de/de/home/new_releases.html
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10