Search - X-Sinner :: World Covered In Blood

Missed Opportunity

Myrddin Emrys | Raleigh, NC USA | 09/01/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It's an in-your-face old-school rock record with awesome performances, good songwriting, and raw metal vocals! Too bad it sounds like crap.



Don't get me wrong, I've heard raw rock before - no digital processing, no effects, and I love it. And I understand what they were trying for here. But...



There's a difference between "raw" and "badly done" and unfortunately this CD crossed the line from the former to the latter. And it's a shame, too.



This really could have been the comeback recording that put X-Sinner back on the map, like recent Stryper & Whitecross recordings did. And who knows, it may still. The songs are memorable, well written and unique, and get stuck in your head easily enough (in a good way). Many of these songs are as good, if not better, than anything they did on Get It and Peace Treaty.



But the recording quality is significantly worse than even the raw "demos" they put on Loud & Proud. The vocals are thin, distorted, and all but lost in the mix. The drums & cymbals are distant and have no real depth. The bass is adequately present most of the time, and the electric guitar, thank God, is raw & tasty. But together it just sounds like they got together in a buddy's basement with their amps and a single microphone, and pressed "Record" on their daughter's Hello Kitty tape recorder.



And I reiterate, it's a shame. This CD deserved so much more. If it were not for the quality issues, I would easily be recommending this disc to all my headbanging friends (and yes, I have some!).



Dare I say it? Even John & Dino Elefante could have made this disc sound better."