By Vinnie Apicella

Germany's Sinner has been at it for a number of years as "The Second Decade" release would indicate and a number of solid albums and metal anthems later, they've proven over and over they belong right at the top of anyone's list of all time greats! If '98's blistering "Nature of Evil" didn't offer enough proof-and I'm still "feeling it" believe me!-"The Second Decade" comes through in most convincing fashion! A showcase in consistency, this compilation covers their body of work that's spanned over ten records, concentrating here on the last three, "Bottom Line", "Judgment Day", and of course "Nature of Evil". But going further than that, in untypical fashion, fans receive extra bonuses in the form of rare and unreleased recordings as well as a cover of Accept's all time classic "Balls to the Wall", that originally surfaced on the "Tribute to Accept", here given the full treatment as only Mat Sinner and co. could provide. Toward the end, fans will pump their fists to the live screamer "Born to Rock" that first appeared on their "In the Line of Fire-Live in Europe" a few years back before tuning down, but not letting up, to perform a rousing acoustic highlight, "Respect" where Sinner's voice shoots right to the heart of the matter. In closing, stay tuned for the added bonus "Used to the Truth", formerly of their "Judgment Day" release, included here as a CD-ROM video clip! While the traditional metal script's always been their preferred choice, Sinner now and again takes the epic route better known from many of their famed peers, but most of what you'll get are tight, to the point arrangements, where their true strength of their power and melody bubble to the surface… a dangerously potent mix that's long endeared them to many who've fought for the cause all this time! While "The Second Decade" may indeed close the first chapter for a band that continues to gain momentum with each passing release, this in no way signifies a loss of ideas or beginning of the end as a new chapter in Sinner's fantastic saga is currently underway for later this year…

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