Three years after the successful “2020”, Adrian Vandenberg releases the new Vandenberg album, this time with Mats Leven behind the microphone. If you ask me, with this change alone, the album scores points since Ronnie Romero (who sang on “2020”) has morphed into an artist who goes where he’s called without any desire to control the material he takes on to record. So he leaves you under the impression that he’s more of a hired gun than a full-time band member. On the other hand, Mats Leven is, in my personal opinion, a better singer and more importantly “blends” better with the style of Adrian who once again has composed some very remarkable and well-crafted songs.
“Sin” showed its potential right from the first single “House On Fire” which was very good, reminding the aesthetics of “2020” and slightly that of Vandenberg’s Moonkings’ second album. The title track is a mid-tempo, hard n’ heavy juggernaut that easily brings in mind something in between “Last in Line” and “Judgement Day”. Leven is excellent while Vandenberg has recorded some of his most imaginative solos. Most importantly, the compositions are memorable while it is obvious that the guys had worked hard in the studio under the watchful eye of the important producer Bob Marlette.
I believe, without even a second thought, that “Sin” is the best album that Vandenberg has been involved in either with Moonkings or since the re-launch of Vandenberg. Ultimately this is what European hard rock -influenced by the mighty Whitesnake- should sound like. “Sin” is definitely in the Top-5 list of the best hard rock albums for 2023.
Highlight: The cover artwork is reminiscent of the classic “Heading For A Storm” only now the 3 sharks are moving between skyscrapers and not on the highway.
