Some bands will not die. They refuse. Rolling Stones come to mind, but in the Christian metal circles, we end up with bands resurrecting in imitation of Jesus on that first Easter morning. This review brings yet another Christian metal pioneer to the front: X-Sinner. Formed in 1988 by guitarist Greg Bishop, X-Sinner has gone through a roller coaster of a ride when you take a look at their history and it sounds like it ain’t over. Except the title of their latest release is “Goin’ Out With A Bang.”
After John Elefante of Kansas fame took the band under his wing for their first two albums, they got blindsided by the grunge surge that switched the popular vote away from metal. Unlike many bands that called it quits, they tried adapting to the times and took on the name The Angry Einsteins, releasing a single album “Cracked” with their take on alternative rock. Call it a failed experiment in general relativity. They turned back on the X-Sinner sign for a couple of years before going on hiatus in 2001. Only four years later they came back with a vengeance, releasing three albums before 2010. That is when “Goin’ Out With A Bang” was first announced. Over 15 years later, X-Sinner finally delivers.
X-Sinner plays fun-loving, high spirited hard rock in the vein of AC/DC and other bluesy rock bands. The energy and attitude comes across beautifully and instantly shifts my mood into happy party mode. Their approach is similar to the aforementioned Aussies in that it is minimalist and lives in a simpler harmonic space that makes it really easy to listen to without overthought complicated equations. But is there more than just party tunes on this album?
As soon as the album starts with “Light You Up,” the fade in reminds me of “Thunderstruck.” It is a dead ringer for AC/DC with heaps of attitude and swagger that I had to do a double take to make sure that I put the right album on. As we drive down the road, I am constantly reminded of the similarities in their simplicity and bluesy background. Rex Scott’s timbre sounds exactly like Brian Johnson with rowdy gang vocals accenting with lyrics that drip with machismo bravado, but it isn’t just the vocals that draw the AC/DC reference. The guitar riffs are blues-based minimalist affairs concocted for optimal infectious energy resulting in spontaneous toe tapping, head bobbing, body slamming or whatever else you want to do. It pumps you up as they blow through blues progressions, letting up on the accelerator just a bit to cruise through a song before roaring on to the next.
Although AC/DC is the dominant sonic reference point, it isn’t all dirty deeds done dirt cheap as they approach their craft from the bluesy rock style rather than in imitation of a band. For example “Win Or Lose” has a strong resemblance to early Zeppelin a la “Communication Breakdown” and the raucous title track uses the ubiquitous 12-bar blues progression that recalls the early rock years of Chuck Berry or B.B. King. However it is “Rocket” that goes in a different direction entirely that has a bit of an AOR approach with its harmonizing backing vocals and Rex singing in a gravelly tone.
It’s possible if I didn’t like AC/DC I would think differently of this album, but the intangible energy and attitude is too infectious. There is a devil may care approach to their playing that hearkens to older times, but the post-production is rather solid making it sound timeless even if they are playing the same fills as the heroes of yesteryear. They don’t do anything new because there is no need.
Cynically, my review could be reduced to an AC/DC sound alike that I like better than the original. However, that misses the energy of a band putting everything they are into the record because they love making this music, which pays huge dividends. Although I struggle with hearing lyrics, I can tell a positive approach. I would be reaching for this album first if I needed to scratch a rowdy raucous blues-based itch. Coming up on 40 years at it, X-Sinner still have the goods and by the way they play, they aren’t done yet. It is well worth checking out!
Rating: 9.0/10
Written by Sean Bailey
Tracklist
1 – Light You Up
2 – Going For Broke
3 – Goin’ Out With A Bang
4 – Fire And Thunder
5 – Win Or Lose
6 – World On Fire
7 – Runnin’ Out Of Time
8 – Hell Or High Water
9 – Rocket
10 – Time To Rise
X-Sinner is:
Glenn Thomas – drums and bass
Greg Bishop – lead guitar and rhythm guitar
Rex Scott – lead vocals and guitar
Release Date: January 1, 2026
Record Label: Independent
Discography:
Get It (1989)
Peace Treaty (1991)
Loud and Proud (2001)
X-Sinner presents the Angry Einsteins: Cracked (2003)
Fire It Up (2006)
Loud and Proud 2.0 (2007)
World Covered in Blood (2009)
Goin’ Out with a Bang (2026)
Social Media: Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Bandcamp
Video for Goin’ Out With A Bang
Video for Going For Broke
Video for Time To Rise
Video for Light You Up