Sinner (band)
Encyclopedia
Sinner are a German
heavy metal
band formed by vocalist and bassist Mat Sinner
in 1982 (who later joined Primal Fear
). They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene. Their latest album, One Bullet Left, was released in 2011.
, Sinner released their first album, Wild'n'Evil in 1982. This album, along with the next two (Fast Decision and Danger Zone) were raw affairs, having little in common with the melodic metal they would later become known for. After many personnel changes (including drummer Edgar Patrik leaving to join Bonfire
), the band saw the addition of Accept
's Herman Frank on guitars and the release of Touch of Sin in 1985. Frank would leave before the next album, 1986's Comin' Out Fighting
, with U.D.O.
's Mathias Dieth replacing him.
1987 saw the release of Dangerous Charm, a much more melodic album than previous efforts, but shortly after this the band took a break and wouldn't be heard of again for five years.
In 1990 Mat Sinner released a solo album called Back to the Bullet on BMG with a completely new band. Three members of the Mat Sinner band reformed Sinner and released No More Alibis in 1992, an album far heavier than anything Sinner had released before. This renewed vigour coupled with songwriting that far exceeded the band's previous releases not only carried on but strengthened with Respect in 1994 and Bottom Line in 1995, the latter staying in the Japanese national charts for five weeks. Since the reformation the band's reputation had improved immensely, touring as support for bands such as Mr. Big
and Savatage
as well as headlining their own German tour and releasing a live album. Sinner were to reach even higher peaks though, releasing two hugely successful albums with Judgement Day in 1997 and The Nature of Evil in 1998 before touring Europe as support for rock giants Deep Purple
. The Nature of Evil was the band's most successful album to date, reaching No. 63 in the German album charts.
In 1998 Mat Sinner and Tom Naumann, who had been with Sinner since their reformation in 1992 formed Primal Fear
with ex-Gamma Ray
vocalist Ralf Scheepers. Mat Sinner has been involved as a driving force in both Sinner and Primal Fear to this day.
In 2000 the band saw its first line-up change in five years as several members left, including guitarist Tom Naumann while ex-Helloween
and Gamma Ray
's Uli Kusch
filled in on drums for The End of Sanctuary. However, in 2003 the previous 1995-1999 line-up renewed itself and released There Will Be Execution before going quiet again for four years. In the past nine years the band had released six albums, each as good, if not better than the last, proving to be the band's most successful period. This success would continue, as after releasing two more albums with Primal Fear, an album with his pre-Sinner band Goddess Shiva and guesting on Tribuzy
's debut album, Mat Sinner brought Sinner back to release Mask of Sanity in 2007. This album spawned two popular singles in "Diary of Evil" and "Black" and included a faithful rendition of Thin Lizzy
's "Baby Please Don't Go".
mostly on German Music web sites.
In 1998 and 1999 Sinner released two compilation albums, the first was Emerald Collection containing many tracks from Danger Zone and Comin' Out Fighting. The second compilation album which contained three songs from Bottom Line, three songs from Nature of Evil, four songs from Judgement Day, two from live recording and three new released songs, was called The Second Decade. The Second Decade became Sinner's best selling album, most of which were bought on Ebay
. The Second Decade by Sinner until 2005 was the only album available for sale on Ebay and proved to be an international success. The Second Decade brought new fans to Europe
primarily from Latin America
, Japan
, Denmark
, Germany
, Austria
, Poland
and Greece
.
The End of Sanctuary and There Will Be Execution are currently Sinner's only 21st Century albums selling good and entered the German album charts. To date Sinner has released eleven albums and sold over a million records world wide.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band formed by vocalist and bassist Mat Sinner
Mat Sinner
Mat Sinner is a bassist, vocalist and record producer from Stuttgart in Germany.His main bands have been Sinner since 1982 and Primal Fear since 1997, which he formed with Ralf Scheepers. He has been involved in numerous other projects throughout his musical career...
in 1982 (who later joined Primal Fear
Primal Fear (band)
Primal Fear is a German power metal and speed metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers and Mat Sinner . Sinner & Scheepers formed the band after Ralf was not hired as Rob Halford's replacement in Judas Priest...
). They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene. Their latest album, One Bullet Left, was released in 2011.
History
Based in Stuttgart Baden-WürttembergBaden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
, Sinner released their first album, Wild'n'Evil in 1982. This album, along with the next two (Fast Decision and Danger Zone) were raw affairs, having little in common with the melodic metal they would later become known for. After many personnel changes (including drummer Edgar Patrik leaving to join Bonfire
Bonfire (band)
Bonfire is a German heavy metal band, founded in Ingolstadt, Germany in 1972. Bonfire has a unique history. Currently there are two bands who have held the name. The original group started out as Cacumen, became Bonfire and ended in 2011 as Charade...
), the band saw the addition of Accept
Accept
Accept is a German heavy metal band from the town of Solingen, originally assembled by former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and bassist Peter Baltes. Their beginnings can be traced back to the late 1960s...
's Herman Frank on guitars and the release of Touch of Sin in 1985. Frank would leave before the next album, 1986's Comin' Out Fighting
Comin' Out Fighting
Comin' Out Fighting is the fifth album by the hard rock band Sinner released in 1986. This is Sinner's first recording with guitarist Angel Schleifer...
, with U.D.O.
U.D.O.
U.D.O. is a German heavy metal band founded by lead singer Udo Dirkschneider in 1987.-1987–1992:After Udo Dirkschneider left Accept in 1987, a large fan community followed him to U.D.O....
's Mathias Dieth replacing him.
1987 saw the release of Dangerous Charm, a much more melodic album than previous efforts, but shortly after this the band took a break and wouldn't be heard of again for five years.
In 1990 Mat Sinner released a solo album called Back to the Bullet on BMG with a completely new band. Three members of the Mat Sinner band reformed Sinner and released No More Alibis in 1992, an album far heavier than anything Sinner had released before. This renewed vigour coupled with songwriting that far exceeded the band's previous releases not only carried on but strengthened with Respect in 1994 and Bottom Line in 1995, the latter staying in the Japanese national charts for five weeks. Since the reformation the band's reputation had improved immensely, touring as support for bands such as Mr. Big
Mr. Big (band)
Mr. Big is an American rock supergroup, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1988. The band is a quartet composed of Eric Martin , Paul Gilbert , Billy Sheehan , and Pat Torpey ; Mr. Big also included Richie Kotzen, a reputable blues-based guitarist who replaced Gilbert in 1999...
and Savatage
Savatage
Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1978 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida.-Early days :...
as well as headlining their own German tour and releasing a live album. Sinner were to reach even higher peaks though, releasing two hugely successful albums with Judgement Day in 1997 and The Nature of Evil in 1998 before touring Europe as support for rock giants Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
. The Nature of Evil was the band's most successful album to date, reaching No. 63 in the German album charts.
In 1998 Mat Sinner and Tom Naumann, who had been with Sinner since their reformation in 1992 formed Primal Fear
Primal Fear (band)
Primal Fear is a German power metal and speed metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers and Mat Sinner . Sinner & Scheepers formed the band after Ralf was not hired as Rob Halford's replacement in Judas Priest...
with ex-Gamma Ray
Gamma Ray (band)
Gamma Ray is a power metal band from Hamburg, northern Germany, founded and fronted by Kai Hansen after his departure from the German power metal Helloween. Hansen is the current lead vocalist, guitarist as well as the chief songwriter of Gamma Ray. The band is known as one of the most prominent...
vocalist Ralf Scheepers. Mat Sinner has been involved as a driving force in both Sinner and Primal Fear to this day.
In 2000 the band saw its first line-up change in five years as several members left, including guitarist Tom Naumann while ex-Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
and Gamma Ray
Gamma Ray (band)
Gamma Ray is a power metal band from Hamburg, northern Germany, founded and fronted by Kai Hansen after his departure from the German power metal Helloween. Hansen is the current lead vocalist, guitarist as well as the chief songwriter of Gamma Ray. The band is known as one of the most prominent...
's Uli Kusch
Uli Kusch
Ulrich Kusch, born 11 March 1967, is a heavy metal drummer. He is best known for playing with Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Masterplan. He is known for his technical style of playing, fast-paced speed metal-like rhythm and capable songwriting abilities.-Biography:...
filled in on drums for The End of Sanctuary. However, in 2003 the previous 1995-1999 line-up renewed itself and released There Will Be Execution before going quiet again for four years. In the past nine years the band had released six albums, each as good, if not better than the last, proving to be the band's most successful period. This success would continue, as after releasing two more albums with Primal Fear, an album with his pre-Sinner band Goddess Shiva and guesting on Tribuzy
Tribuzy
Tribuzy is a Brazilian heavy metal band fronted by Renato Tribuzy. They have recently toured with Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson and guitarist/producer Roy Z...
's debut album, Mat Sinner brought Sinner back to release Mask of Sanity in 2007. This album spawned two popular singles in "Diary of Evil" and "Black" and included a faithful rendition of Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
's "Baby Please Don't Go".
Album sales
Sinner album sales have never been spectacular: it is estimated they sold less than 150,000 copies of their first three releases. The band's six and seven track albums of the 90s, Respect and Bottom Line, sold less than 200,000 combined and without any real advertising except that of word of mouth. Sinner's fourth full length album, Judgement Day, received fair reviews but again had little advertising put into it as the band spent most of its money on recording. Sinner's Nature of Evil released in 1998 proved to be the band's most successful original album with over 100,000 copies sold. Nature of Evil was advertised heavily on the internetInternet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
mostly on German Music web sites.
In 1998 and 1999 Sinner released two compilation albums, the first was Emerald Collection containing many tracks from Danger Zone and Comin' Out Fighting. The second compilation album which contained three songs from Bottom Line, three songs from Nature of Evil, four songs from Judgement Day, two from live recording and three new released songs, was called The Second Decade. The Second Decade became Sinner's best selling album, most of which were bought on Ebay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
. The Second Decade by Sinner until 2005 was the only album available for sale on Ebay and proved to be an international success. The Second Decade brought new fans to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
primarily from Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
The End of Sanctuary and There Will Be Execution are currently Sinner's only 21st Century albums selling good and entered the German album charts. To date Sinner has released eleven albums and sold over a million records world wide.
Studio albums
- Wild'n'Evil (1982)
- Fast Decision (1983)
- Danger Zone (1984)
- Touch of Sin (1985)
- Comin' Out FightingComin' Out FightingComin' Out Fighting is the fifth album by the hard rock band Sinner released in 1986. This is Sinner's first recording with guitarist Angel Schleifer...
(1986) - Dangerous Charm (1987)
- Back to the Bullet (Mat Sinner) (1990)
- No More Alibis (1992)
- Respect (1993)
- Bottom Line (1995)
- Judgement Day (1997)
- The Nature of Evil (1998)
- The End of Sanctuary (2000)
- There Will Be Execution (2004)
- Mask of Sanity (2007)
- Crash & Burn (2008)
- One Bullet Left (2011)
Compilation albums
- The Best of Sinner - Noise Years (1995)
- Germany Rocks - The Best of Sinner (1995)
- Treasure - The Works 93-98 (1998)
- The Second Decade - Best of (Includes three new tracks) (1999)
- Emerald - Very Best of Sinner (1999)
Tribute albums
- A Tribute to Accept (covers Balls to the WallBalls to the Wall (song)"Balls to the Wall" was the lead single from Accept's fifth studio album with the same name. The album's best known song, which became Accept's signature tune, is the anthemic title track, for which a music video was shot that received American airplay on MTV....
) (2000) - The Spirit of the Black Rose - A Tribute to Phil Lynott (covers "The Sun Goes DownThunder and LightningThunder and Lightning is the twelfth and final studio album by heavy-rock band Thin Lizzy, released in 1983. Guitarist John Sykes was hired to replace Snowy White after 1981's Renegade, and Sykes helped to provide a heavier sound and guitar tone than Thin Lizzy had used on previous albums...
") (2001) - Emerald - A Tribute to the Wild One (covers "The Sun Goes Down") (2002)