German heavy metal! Fronted by vocalist/bass-player Mat Sinner, and now sharing most of the members with Primal Fear. Sinner have been around since the early 80's.

DANGER ZONE (1984, 1994) NOISE/SANCTUARY

I actually thought that 'Danger Zone' was Germany's Sinner's debut album. But this is actually the bands 3rd full-length effort! Originally released in 1984, this was part of my heavy metal upbringing. Sinner was one of the unsung heroes of the German metal movement, always standing in the shadow of their more known metal brethren in Accept and Scorpions. But that only goes to show you that selling the most albums doesn't always equal being the better band! Sinner are still around, stronger than ever, whereas many of their contemporaries are just memories and/or nostalgia. 'Danger Zone' was a killer metal platter in it's time. It's heavier than the album following it, and it is a time typical album for 1984. "Fast, Hard & Loud" is a title of one of the songs on the album, and it sums up the bands sound well. Sure, Sinner are also about melody, and the bands mentioned earlier here are not only piers, but also bands that Sinner is easily compared too. Add a little early Mötley Crüe and maybe some Dokken and 80's era Kiss (check out "No Place In Heaven" for instance), and you have this album pegged. Hey, it's 80's metal, do I need to say more?

Killer tracks: Danger Zone, No Place In Heaven, Scene Of A Crime, Lupo Manara

COMIN' OUT FIGHTING (1986, 1994) NOISE

The 80's version of Sinner was very unlike the band we know from their recent albums. In the 80's they played melodic metal, not unlike their German brothers in Scorpions, only heavier. Imagine a style mixing the US melodic metal (Dokken, Great White, Ratt etc.) with the German melodic metal, and I think you've found Sinner. I remember liking them a lot back in those days. And I still find this album quite charming. "Hypnotized" and "Comin' Out Fighting" are solid 80's metal that stands the test of time (maybe not production wise though). But a song like "Germany Rock" is involuntary humorous at best, and pretty darn bad at worst. Have to give credit for a well done cover of Billy Idol's hit "Rebel Yell" though. I cringed when I found out what song was playing, but I got to hand it to the Germans, they have made a cool heavy version of it. Sinner's 80's metal discs are hard to come by, so this was quite a catch. I might also mention that Mr. Sinner himself is the only member left from the bands previous full-length album. The rest of the line-up are all new faces for this album. Also notice the guest spot from keyboard-player Don Airey (Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath etc.)

Killer tracks: Hypnotized, Comin' Out Fighting, Playing With Fire

NO MORE ALIBIS (1992) MAUSOLEUM

5 years had passed since the last Sinner album when 'No More Alibis' came out. The musical climate had changed quite a bit by then, and the dreaded grunge wave had washed over the nations. But that didn't stop Sinner in releasing what might just be the most commercial album in the bands career. 'No More Alibis' is an all out 80's album, that just happened to come out in 1992. Songs like "Thrill Of A Lifetime" and "Good Times" has a definite Van Halen flare. And 'No More Alibis' delivers more keyboard oriented ballads then any other Sinner record. But songs like "When A Heart Breaks" and "Chasing My Dream" are just 100% Sinner. Adding a permanent keyboard player to the line-up has definitely put it's mark on the bands sound. But there is no hiding their true colors, and Mat's raspy voice is as recognizable as Udo or Rock 'n' Rolf. 'No More Alibis' isn't the bands strongest efforts, but it does hold some stellar songs nonetheless.

Killer tracks: When A Heart Breaks, Where Were You, I'm Not Over You Yet, Chasing My Dream

THE NATURE OF EVIL (1998) NUCLEAR BLAST (Limited Edition 2CD)

I always liked the old Sinner records from the 80's. But getting them on CD was a bit harder than expected. Then the band had like a second coming in the late 90's, and these newer albums are not that hard to find. My first meeting with the vitalized Sinner was this CD. I got a hold of a cardboard promo version, and I have worn it out! 'The Nature Of Evil' is a great heavy metal platter, where Sinner sound like a cross between Judas Priest and Accept. The riffs, the melodies, the harmony vocals, it all appeals to this metal heart. Sinner have also become much heavier than they used to be in the 80's. Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear/ex-Gamma Ray) also guest on the album, providing some distinct background vocals. "The Sun Goes Down" is a Thin Lizzy cover. Finally replaced my old promo version with a cool Limited Edition double CD. The bonus disc includes 3 additional tracks.

Killer tracks: Devil's River, A Question Of Honour, The Nature Of Evil

THE SECOND DECADE (1999) NUCLEAR BLAST (Digi-pack)

The Second Decade - intro Jump The Gun When Silence Falls Devil's River Used To The Truth A Question Of Honour The Truth Is Out There Balls To The Wall Judgment Day The Biggest Lie Streets Of Sin Rage Of A Hurricane The Nature Of Evil Born To Rock Respect CD-Rom video clip "Used To The Truth"

I usually buy compilation albums for 2 reasons. 1: I want to check out a new band, and compilations are a great way to get to know them. 2: I want to own everything a band have released. Especially if thy include unreleased and/or obscure material. Getting this one turned out to fit both reasons. Containing 2 previously unreleased songs ("The Truth Is Out There" and "Respect"), and an obscure Accept cover tune ("Balls To The Wall", previously only available on a tribute album), makes it essential in any fans collection. The rest of the tracks are from Sinner's last 4 albums (+ a live album). My digi-pack version has an embossed cover, with the print and background all in silver.

THE END OF SANCTUARY (2000) NUCLEAR BLAST (Digi-pack)

Another stellar melodic power metal outing from our German heroes. It's almost strange how this band didn't get the same success that Primal Fear and Accept did. They have been around for ages, and delivered quality metal on every album. Not much more to say, if you are a fan of the band, or of quality melodic power metal, this is a safe buy.

Killer tracks: Blood Relations, The End Of Sanctuary, The Prophecy

THERE WILL BE EXECUTION (2003) NUCLEAR BLAST (Limited Edition)

You gotta hand it to Mat Sinner. He has steered his band through thick and thin since 1980. And although he has gained more success through the more profiled Primal Fear, he still keeps churning out stellar albums with his Sinner. 'There Will Be Execution' is yet another bulls-eye from the man, and his ever revolving crew of henchmen. I'm not sure if this was done intentional, but putting Mat's face on the cover makes this release seem more like a solo effort than a new album from a band. But make no mistake about it, Sinner have always been a band. Alex Beyrodt and Uli Kusch have since last time been replaced by returning members, Tom Naumann and Fritz Randow. This "new" line-up deliver the heaviest Sinner album to date. The brother part of the songs can easily tolerate a comparison to another contemporary metal artists, namely U.D.O.. I also detect some similarities to Primal Fear, but that is sort of a given. Just don't expect an all out modern power metal romp. No, Sinner have always been as much about the melodic aspect of metal. And that is intact on this CD also. Add to that the driving grooves of a song like "Die On Command" and you understand that there is enough dynamics on the platter, and that the variety of the material is intact. It actually sort of builds up towards a tempo climax in "Finalizer". This is just no holds barred heavy metal, that brings out the fists in the air, and the windmill headbanging. This is meant to be heard live. But crank it to 11 and let your neighbor's lawn die while you are having the time of your life!

I own the limited edition of this release. It comes with a bonus CD single, with 3 tracks. Here Sinner delivers a phenomenal cover of Metallica's "Wherever I May Roam". "Troublemaker" and "Roses Of Yesterday" originally appeared on respectively 'Judgement Day' and 'Bottom Line'. Both of those albums featured the same line-up as 'There Will Be Execution'.

Killer tracks: Higher Level Of Violence, There Will Be Execution, Die On Command, Finalizer, The River, Crown Of Thorns

CRASH & BURN (2008) AFM  (Limited Edition Digi-pack)

Primal Fear are taking a break, and since Mat is not one to sit still for too long, we get another Sinner album. And that is fine by me! 'Crash & Burn' is the bands 15th studio album! Once again we're talking high caliber melodic heavy metal, firmly rooted in the 80's. Back then metal was all about having a good time, and the music herein will certainly get you in a good mood. Sinner delivers raunchy bar-rockers side-by-side with pummeling melodic power metal, as well as some mid-paced power ballads. There is a certain Thin Lizzy meets AC/DC flair to this album, but of course with an updated, Sinner-ified sound. The music is ultra catchy, and most of these songs will have you singing along, throwing your fist in the air, and headbanging along in a split second. Mission accomplished, I'd say!

Sinner's line-up anno 2008 consists of 3/4 Primal Fear members. Mat Sinner has also collaborated heavily with U.D.O.'s Igor Gianola on the songwriting. 'Little Head' is a cover of a Marvelous 3 (who?) track.

This limited edition comes with 2 extra tracks, and a video clip. Most noticeable is the re-recorded version of the title track from Sinner's 1983 sophomore album, 'Fast Decision'.

Killer tracks: Crash & Burn, Break The Silence, Heart Of Darkness, Unbreakable, Until It Hurts, Like A Rock

Mat Sinner guest appearances:

HammerFall - 'Crimson Thunder'

Tribuzy - 'Execution'

Dionysus - 'Fairytales An Reality' (as writer)

Tom Neumann guest appearances:

Metalium - 'Hero Nation - Chapter Three'

Rob Rock - 'Eyes Of Eternity'

Cans - 'Beyond The Gates' (as writer)

Frank Rössler guest appearances:

Primal Fear - 'Primal Fear'

Related artists:

Primal Fear, Accept, Helloween, Masterplan, Cans, U.D.O., Gamma Ray, Saxon