Date: 2019
Total Time: 54:10
Label: AFM Records
1980 was a “sinful” year, not only because I was born (I’m kidding), but because SINNER was created by “sealing” the sin. So in 2019, the German “veterans”, intertwined all these years with ACCEPT and PRIMAL FEAR and, having as the only “survivor” – the singer / bassist Mat Sinner, they strike again with “Santa Muerte”. In their potential also, is a cute brunette Italian singer called Giorgia Colleluor. This addition gives them a more “cheesy” and Bluesy Rock image that does not represent them 100%.
SINNER has always been flirting and turning a blind eye to Blues Rock, especially in the recent years as genuine rockers, but here they decided to completely externalize it and express themselves completely and freely. It’s just that this time it didn’t turn out the way they wanted it to, because the compositions don’t get the “pain” they need when you’re writing a Blues Rock song and they’re mostly sweet and sour.
Listening to the album, the song of the same title made a difference with the use of Spanish language as its special feature. Also “Death Letter” with the participation of Magnus Karlsson is a nice Blues track. The most special and complete composition is the ACCEPT’s style “The Wolf”, sung by Giorgia Colleluor. The next song “Misty Mountain” reminded me a bit of its original riff, a mix of DEPECH MODE’s “Personal Jesus” with BETH HART on vocals and something from BLUES PILLS, one more good moment for the album.
In addition to that, “Monday Morning” has a riff that reminds a bit of “Mob Rules” from BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW with DIO era, thus giving a more genuine Rock character. Let alone that, in the middle of this track with these repeatedly MAIDEN-ish guitar solo styles, is one of the most memorable tracks, especially in terms of the refrain. As a conclusion, the album ends with the bonus track “I Am”, which has the vocals of the German Mat Sinner. As the title suggests, it’s a slow tempo autobiographical Blues Rock love song. The rest of the tracks are just “happy” boring “songs” some at a faster pace but always with this sweet and salty refrain.
In terms of production, the sound is clean and somewhat reminiscent of DIRE STRAITS and PHIL COLLINS, but in their more “urban” version. Their previous album “Tequila Suicide”, which was a mix of SAVATAGE from “Hall Of A Mountain King”, THIN LIZZY from “Jailbreak” and OZZY OSBOURNE from “Ultimate Sin”, was better, heavier, had no female vocals at all and it suits them better, giving them a specific identity.
Rating: 4/10
Editor: Nikos Mathiopoulos
Related Link: SINNER – Facebook Page
