Pure heavy metal has spread over fifty plus years to worldwide appeal – with smaller countries staking claim in keeping the movement alive. Spain may not be one of those name territories – but it is home to this quintet Sinner Rage. They released their first two-song demo in early 2024, setting the stage the following year for their debut album Powerstrike to hit the scene. These musicians check off all the major boxes in terms of songwriting, arrangements, personal abilities to send consumers home with their fists held high, screaming along to a new set of anthems.
Major axe riffs that garner immediate appeal are not in short supply here. Check out the Judas Priest meets Stryper-esque title cut or the early US-metal semi-ballad nature to “Chained by Night” to understand the thoughtful energy flowing through the fingers of Artiz Yarza and Jara Solis in terms of clean lines or titanic, electric combinations. When the NWOBHM-like afterburners come through in drummer Javi Rinones’ killer fills plus standard hits on the double kick driven “Angel of Combustion”, it sets the stage for eagle-high screams a la Rob Halford or Geoff Tate courtesy of Artiz Martinez. Artiz in lower spots has a bit of an accented nature to his melodies, but there’s no deny his strength and character will mesmerize many into a lot of the classic 80’s powerhouse belters. The record ends on more of an Accept meets Dokken melodic hard rock note for “Dangerous Attraction”, lots of shredding lead breaks pop in and out next to a multi-part vocal harmony-fueled chorus that begs for audience participation. The shorter timeframe at eight songs in thirty-one minutes may be due to a question of quality control over quantity – this scribe was just hoping for another track or two to tide us over before the next release.
All the tools are in the woodshed to make a name for their craft. Sinner Rage establishes themselves as another authentic conveyor in a long line of melodic heavy metal bands that keep the traditional style kicking for the current generation. It may not necessarily set charts aflame, but Powerstrike will be a record cranked at loud volumes for many, a soundtrack to throw the horns and headbang to incessantly.