DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present SINNER RAGE’s highly anticipated debut album, Powerstrike, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Making their public debut with a self-titled demo in early 2024, SINNER RAGE thrust themselves into the present with a sound wholly built on the past: pure and total HEAVY METAL during the genre’s ‘80s heyday. Wasting no time defending the faith, the Spaniards return a full year later with their debut album, Powerstrike.

Truly titled, Powerstrike is an pitch-perfect throwback to the days when heavy metal supremacy were ruled by the likes of Judas Priest, Saxon, Queensrÿche, and Crimson Glory. Moving at a disarmingly relaxed strut, SINNER RAGE convey charisma and simple-yet-assured POWER during every second of this short & sweet tome. The hooks are heavy and headbanging, but the quartet exhibit a keen knack for spacious, almost-atmospheric dynamics; the riffing hits even harder when coming back from those quieter moments, and frontman Aritz Martinez’s pipes likewise sound even silkier. Some would simply qualify that as a further (and seamless) extension of old-days metal values, before speed and energy overload took over, and they’d not be wrong.

Whatever way you approach it, Powerstrike will send shivers of déjà vu through every soul who’s ever bled for metal, but make no mistake: SINNER RAGE are absolutely authentic to the bone, no matter the calendar year!

Line-up:
Aritz Martinez – Lead Vocals
Aritz Yarza – Guitar
Dan Speedhammer – Bass
Jara Solis – Guitar
Javi Rinones – Drums

From Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain

Artwork:
Lena Richter

Release date:
21st February 2025

Review

“Powerstrike” began with an upfront hard-rocking beat right out of the late 80s. I could’ve easily pictured that riff on SKID ROW’s debut record. While the Spanish/Basque accent for Martinez is fairly thick, I appreciated it and gravitated to it pretty quickly, and found myself a bit shocked at how well the band harmonized together. While nothing flashy, I thought this was an excellent way to kick off the album.

“Silent Thunder” was next up and once more reminded me a bit of later era glam acts, this time I was thinking SHOTGUN MESSIAH, though that was mostly in the guitar tone. In speaking of those guitars, there was also a brief but nice solo to break things up. The chorus was a bit of an earworm and Martinez even hit a nice set of high notes, but I found that the mix didn’t do them justice.

“Highway Knights” had a slower, more doomy opening riff, before we got more of the almost glam that we’d had up to now. Though once again the chorus was a treat to the ears, and the guitar solos in this one, though still pretty brief, were great little shredders. Three songs in and something that SINNER RAGE are great at is keeping a rhythm steady.

“Chained By Night” was the end of Side 1, and, after an initial slower opening, came in with a great riff and a smooth bassline. In terms of tempo, this had ‘ballad’ written all over it, and while technically sound by all metrics, the mixing just didn’t feel quite right for me here. The ending fade out felt a bit out of place as well. Despite that, this was another darn good track.

“Fire’s On” began with a fade in (oh okay, now it makes sense. Belay previous comment). Again, the mixing, specifically on the vocals, just isn’t doing it for me unless the band is harmonizing together. Everyone is sound at their instruments and Martinez has a good voice, but the production muddies it a bit, it does the same to the drums and bass.

“Angel of Combustion” was the shortest track on the album at a bit less than 3 minutes. As to be expected, it’s a hard rockin’ tune that makes you want to move. A ‘driving song’ as my dad would describe it (high praise). This track differed from the others in that I actually thought the mixing helped this one, rather than hinder. Though short, it was still a standout track.

“Call of the Wind” had more of the same, and by this point it had begun to wear thin on me. With every track being fairly short and following a set formula, things can get stale quick, regardless of the obvious talent behind the scenes.

“Dangerous Attraction” was our final foray into SINNER RAGE’s Powerstrike, and started off a bit more down-tempo than the rest of the album. A nice change of pace to say the least. It became clear by the chorus why this was chosen as the lead single, as it showcases all of the best pieces of SINNER RAGE. Easily it was my favorite track on the album, and would be a great introduction to the band.

Conclusion

Strike one… strike two… Sinner Rage’s Powerstrike was an album that I found myself more frustrated with than actively disliking. There’s so much potential here, ready to be propelled into the stratosphere. Yet, despite a few flashes of excellence, the album’s mix really drags it down for me and prevented me from actively being immersed into the songs themselves.

TheNwothm Score: 5/10

Links

Bandcamp: https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/powerstrike

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555537553901

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinner_rage_official/

Label: https://dyingvictims.com