Mat Sinner surely is a big man in Germany. He also is a big 'head' in German Metal business the last 25 years. Yeap, Mat Sinner is not the bassist for Ralph Scheeper's PRIMAL FEAR only. You should ask a thirty-year-old metalhead 'bout Mat and then draw any conclusion for what the guy has offered in his homeland's 'wild' music. His first-born child, SINNER, now delivers its fourteenth - yes, fourteenth! - studio album and some things are meant to stay unchanged.
SINNER are more known to metalheads due to their members' other occupations rather than the band's songs themselves. They've been making albums since 1982 - Wild 'N' Evil was the debut's name - while the six efforts recorded in the 80s saw notable European success. Members included in the SINNER various lineups feature Edgar Patrik (TYRAN PACE/BONFIRE), Herman Frank (ACCEPT/VICTORY), Bernie Van Der Graaf (VICTORY), Mathias Dieth (U.D.O.), Angel Schliefer (PRETTY MAIDS/BONFIRE), Tom Naumann  (PRIMAL FEAR), Fritz Randow (VICTORY/ELOY/SAXON), Alex Beyrodt (SILENT FROCE). In this year's newest album, joining the camp are former PRIMAL FEAR drummer Claus Sperling and guitarist Christof Leimn (THE TRACEELORDS). The album - issued via the MTM Music label; a 'fresh' deal - was recorded in Leon Studio in Stuttgart with Achim Kohler - you know him - and Samson Geiger behind the console. It was said to be a back-to-the-roots album...
SINNER cannot change this much. From the privitive days of Fast Decision (1983) to the melodies of Dangerous Charm (1987) and then back - or forward - to the 'new' German Metal likes of The Nature Of Evil (1998), SINNER have provided the European Metal market with mid-to-fast tempo Heavy Metal the German way. Nothing less, nothing more. Solid bass/drums, rhythm guitars, warm vocals from Mat, typical German solos and that's it. I like this a lot, but - to be aware of - there's not much of a surprise in a SINNER album. The same story lurks here, too. Mask Of Sanity sums it up to what Mat Sinner is occupied with the last years. Traditional German 'hard rocking' Metal with much of a fresh production, Mask Of Sanity is not as 'metal' as the PRIMAL FEAR works - SINNER has always been once step below in such noise - but sees Mat and Co. in fine mood again. Mat's love for the THIN LIZZY legend is again obvious, while fans of ACCEPT-like songwriting will find this album interesting (as always). Hmm, Mat Sinner seems to have SINNER in order to devote to his own influences (also call me DEEP PURPLE, apart from the pre-mentioned names).
Mask Of Sanity is another stone to the SINNER castle and the Mat Sinner skyscraper. Of course, PRIMAL FEAR have been the 'good thing' for Mat the last years but - anyway - SINNER deserves its own fame in the 21st century. 2003's There Will Be Execution was not as mature as this one, if you want a hint. I like Mat Sinner; I know the Touch Of Sin (1985) days are long gone but I adore his Metal way of life. You?