VANDENBERG: Sin (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

With "2020", Vandenberg made a successful comeback, ending a 35-year silence. After a change of singer, Ronnie Romero having given way to Mats Leven (Yngwie Malmsteen, Treat, Therion...) in 2021, the Dutch combo is back with "Sin", whose cover art was designed by Adrian Vandenberg himself, and curiously recalls that of "Heading For A Storm" (1983) with its sharks. Produced by Bob Marlette (Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Airbourne, Black Stone Cherry...), this new opus seems ready to crush everything in its path.

Indeed, if there are two things that jump out at you from the opening track 'Thunder And Lightning', it's the ample, powerful production and the vocals of Mats Leven, furiously reminiscent of a certain David Coverdale. Warm, rocky and virile, the Swede's interpretation is perfectly in tune with the bluesy, melodic hard rock that takes us straight back to the golden days of Whitesnake in the late 80s. It's true that the leader of Vandenberg was the main mastermind behind "Slip Of The Tongue", which he composed for the most part, giving him undeniable legitimacy to work in this genre. But with his new frontman, he seems to have found the rare pearl.

Of course, it's easy to make comparisons between most of the tracks on "Sin" and many of those on Whitesnake's extensive discography, but this will be of far less interest than enjoying this flurry of irresistible and varied songs, which succeed both in plunging fans back into the heyday of MTV hard rock and in dusting off the genre with something worthy of today's era. In addition to 'Hit The Ground Running', whose riff is clearly inspired by that of 'Bad Boys' ("1987"), we also note that of Dio from "The Last In Line" on the majestic and bewitching eponymous track. As for the melancholy mid-tempo ballad 'Baby You've Changed', it proves to be a worthy heir to 'Is This Love' and 'The Deeper The Love'.

The end result is a real treat for fans of this alloy, which is as catchy as it is gleaming, and as melodic as it is hairy. Those obsessed with originality will go their own way, others will delight in this throwback to a few decades ago. With a leader at the top of his game, both in terms of composition and luminous solos, a flawless rhythm section and a singer who seems to have found the setting he deserved, "Sin" offers a veritable collection of unstoppable, addictive tracks not to be missed under any circumstances. - Official website

VANDENBERG

SIN

MASCOT LABEL GROUP

HARD ROCK