| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: Greg Bishop & Rex Scott |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2026 | Artist Website: X-Sinner |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 35:32 |
Goin’ Out With A Bang emphasizes polished but not to fault production, straightaway hooks and all the bounteous energy you could ask. If these are your priorities for a blues based hard rock album, you may have just made a love connection. The independent January of 2026 fourth full-length X-Sinner album further distinguishes from the ‘Brian Johnson meets Bon Scott’ vocal approach of Rex Scott, whom got his start with the group in 1991 on its Pakaderm Records sophomore effort Peace Treaty but also participated on independent 2008 third full length offering World Covered In Blood. X-Sinner hit the scene in 1989 with the David Robbins fronted commercial metal and hard rock of debut Get It (also Pakaderm).
In between, the group reemerged in 1999 under the name Angry Einsteins with the alternative rock of its independent first and only album Cracked, which saw reissue in 2003 on Retroactive Records with new cover art. A return to the X-Sinner moniker in 2006 with the release via Retroactive of a re-recorded version to Peace Treaty under the new title Fire It Up but with the song “Hold On” replaced with the albums title track. In 2007, the group released (also Retroactive) Loud & Proud + 2, a compiling of demo cuts that includes seven unreleased songs and alternative versions to four off Get It and two from Peace Treaty. The ‘+2’ represents bonus tracks taken off Cracked.
Goin’ Out With A Bang picks up where World Covered In Blood leaves off with ten songs of raw and gritty blues driven hard rock emanating equal parts unremitting energy and vibrant hooks. Hence, manner in which I identify with opening track “Light You Up” in which X-Sinner puts its best foot forward: slowly fading in to anthem like vocal melodies ahead of taking off in dynamic fashion- riffs cut with knife like precision, hooks draw upon unbroken authority and vocals reach for the earthy but melodic. Lyric snippet:
You lit the fuse and it’s ready to blow
You can’t run forever cause there’s nowhere to go
Up and down, look around, you can’t hide
We’ve come this far, we can’t slow this ride
You better hold on because this thing’s nonstop
We’re rolling like a train on a mountain top
And bearing down right on top of you
You better get on board before your time is through
“Going For Broke” ensues as albums shortest at two and half minutes. It does not back from the athletic zeal, upping tempo to breakneck territory as rhythm guitar touches upon bristling metal meets hard rock and low end rollicks to full on groove-laden fury. Group’s signature shouted vocal melodies adorn the compactly executed refrain.
Albums title track follows as a full on slugger, complete with a bluesy mid-paced allure as shuffling harmonies and explosive hooks converge to emit of the convulsive. Founding member and guitarist Greg Bishop takes opportunity to bestow his at times radiant and others deliberate licks and chops. Soloing is of the gutsy variety. Lyric snippet:
Lookin for a spark to start a fire
I’m getting ready to burn
Talk is cheap when your in neck deep
And there's a lesson to learn
It's a stain, mark of Cain, it's a do or die
But you can rest assured
I want you to know
That when it's time to go
Goin out with a bang
As implied by its namesake, “Fire And Thunder” is a detonator heightened by tumultuous rhythms and blood and guts mentality that has classic AC/DC written all over it. Hooks are turbulent as it gets - very catchy and of draw in at once appeal - and momentum approaches the combusting. Not unlike much of albums material, this one is short at three and half minutes but does not lack mettlesome appeal.
“Win Or Lose” follows suite, explosive to unceasing metal edged subtleties in which steamrolling harmonies and Scott’s perfectly suited boisterous vocals allude to the tempestuous not unlike the World Covered In Blood title track. Of particular note is how song stops dead in its tracks at the two-minute mark for a gravel-like spoken word passage only to regain the herculean disposition. Lyric snippet:
Livin’ life’s a gamble, time to place your bet
Fold your cards or go all in, it’s gonna make you sweat
You gotta prove, that you got somethin’ to lose
Just what you gonna do?
Don’t ever bet against me, I make the odds
Roll the dice at your own risk, bet everything you’ve got
You gotta prove, you gotta pay your dues
Some win, some lose
“World On Fire” represents an excursion in heightened brilliance. Driven by front to back hit and run initiative, song flares to an in and out of the mix guitar and bass interchange as vocals dig with raspy subtleties and mindset imparts of the convulsive. The accessible elements to separate bring to mind Scott’s mainstream side project GX Project.
“Runnin’ Out Of Time” represents another outburst of X-Sinner blues laden hard rock: galvanic guitars, expedient harmonies, intensified melody and equally passionate vocals. No, this one does not deviate from the script but proves essential all the same. It would sound at home on World Covered In Blood. Lyric snippet:
Don’t try to judge me for what I do
Cause’ that judgement will come back on you
Don’t preach a sermon you can’t live
Don’t try giving what you can’t give
C’mon let’s take it to the top
I’m gonna make ya’ mine
Let’s get this show on the road
Cause we’re runnin out of time
“Hell Or High Water” represents one of albums showcase tracks. With layered open-air guitar to start, song builds intensity until underpinned by the groups subduing low end, the insistent focus triggering forward until crowning for the fleetly woven refrain repeating songs title in malevolent fashion. The engaged intent brings to mind classic 100% Proof song “Out Of Bounds” (off Power And The Glory from 1983).
Follow up cut “Rocket” is on similar level but differs from embracing the commercial AC/DC meets Def Leppard vibe to Get It. Hence, the glimmering vocal melodies to slowly fade in and soon join with polished guitar rhythms, the absorbing passion maintained the song length as Scott’s vocals resonate a melodic form (albeit maintaining the gritty mentality ) and catchy refrain a radio friendly inclining (noting guitar still delivers a forthright edge). I wish the album included a couple more along this line.
“Time To Rise” closes the album strongly. It detonates of bursting energy, as rhythm guitar sledgehammers and vocals return to a gravelly configuring, the exuberant swaying capturing albums inherent punch and lead guitar a vibrant zeal. Shouted backing vocals round out the vigorous undercurrents. Lyric snippet:
Feelin’ down and pushed around
Like getting kicked in the teeth
We’re outa time, you’re outa line
It’s getting way out of reach
Too much, I’ve had enough
I know, let’s go
It’s time to rise (let’s rise!)
Fight the good fight (yeah!)
On its fourth full length offering Goin’ Out With A Bang, X-Sinner might not break any new musical ground, but that is not the point. Rather, album finds the group peaking musically with ten songs bursting of the undivided energy and hooks it is renown. Scott remains in top form vocally, as does Bishop in nailing the full force riffs, harmonies and soloing to go in hand. If a fan of X-Sinner or any form of blues based, energetic hard rock, make Goin’ Out With A Bang a necessary purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Light You Up” (3:56), “Going For Broke” (2:37), “Goin’ Out With A Bang” (3:53), “Fire And Thunder” (2:58), “Win Or Lose” (3:33), “World On Fire” (3:11), “Runnin’ Out Of Time” (3:14), “Hell Or High Water” (3:18), “Rocket” (3:53), “Time To Rise” (4:11)
Musicians
Rex Scott - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Greg Bishop - Lead & Rhythms Guitar
Glenn Thomas - Drums & Bass
