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ABOUT THE ALBUM
With so much red tape to work through to get the commercial metal classic, PEACE TREATY (1992) reissued, Retroactive Records approached the band about actually RE-RECORDING the album. Since the band was never fully pleased with the album anyway, they agreed, eager to add heavier guitars, more solos, and make changes they'd wanted to make for years!
The ballad, "Hold On" was replaced, with the song "Fire It Up" which is a new song recorded (2006) and added to the album. The song was so good, and embracing the traditional AC/DC vibe that fans have yearned for, they decided to actually rename the album after the song. You also get all new artwork! The title track, "Fire It Up" gives fans a taste of what to expect for the band's all new release, BACK IN RED, which will be in stores next year (2007).
Fans of AC/DC and Def Leppard (especially PYROMANIA era) MUST start here!
KEY SELLING POINTS
*Includes and all new song, Fire It Up, recorded in 2006 and previously unreleased.
*Included in multiple HM Ads, Radio, Press Releases, and Magazine Review Promo Campaign
*Digitally Mastered for superior sound quality.
*The original release of PEACE TREATY is in great demand in the collector's market & exceptionally rare.
*The original release has been out of print for over 10 years.
*The band has a knack for commercial metal appealing to a widespread, loyal fan base that likes AC/DC & Def Leppard
*Limited Edition
*For fans of AC/DC, Def Leppard, Zion, Idle Cure
*All new artwork and band written liner notes
*Featured track 5 on the Retroactive Records promo compilation, Lightning Strikes Twice.
SONGS:
FIRE IT UP, I TAKE POWER, GOTTA LET GO, ROLLIN THUNDER, GETCH YA, DON'T GO, PEER PRESSURE, WE NEED LOVE, ALL I NEED, YOU GOT ME
REVIEWS:
HTTP://THEWHIPPINGPOST.COM
Long overdue is this re-release by X-Sinner. However, what you may be asking yourself is...when did they ever release an album called Fire it Up? Well, you're not going crazy. They never did. But they did release an album called Peace Treaty in the early 90's. And since the amount of red tape to get that album re-released seemed too much to work through, Retroactive Records approached the band about actually re-recording the album since they weren't pleased with the original. They accepted, added a bonus track, dropped off a ballad, and here you have it! Now, I never owned the original Peace Treaty album so I can't really compare the two releases as to which one sounds better. But I do remember hearing many of these songs on the radio back in the day and I know that this stuff definitely does not sound worse than what I heard on the radio. The band has beefed up the sound, added more guitar solos, completely re-worked the artwork and re-titled the album after the bonus track, and basically released the album as they wanted to back in the day, but didn't feel they were allowed to do.
Let me just say that it has been a blast listening to this album. This band's overwhelmingly AC/DC mixed with Def Leppard style has been a nice change of pace from all the other stuff I've been reviewing lately. This is metal with attitude and grit and a down and dirty passion that you just gotta love. The screaming of Rex Scott giving off that AC/DC flair, the wailing of Greg Bishop on guitar, and the rest of the band making their presence felt in a big way just makes me want to go and grab my other X-Sinner album, Get It, and toss it in for a spin. Hearing classics like "Rollin' Thunder" and "Don't Go" and "All I Need" has been a much-needed trip down memory lane.
To top things off, the band is putting out their first completely new album in ages early in 2007, so I'm definitely looking forward to that. The only thing that makes me hesitant is the fact that my least favorite track on this new album is the new track. Not bad, but also not on par with the main tracks that they wrote back in 1991. But it labeled as a "demo" track so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and hope that this upcoming new album is everything I've come to love about this band over the years.
So, there you have it. A great choice for a re-release if you ask me.
Rating: 90/100
Review By: Matt Morrow
Label: Retroactive Records
Total Songs: 10
Total Time: 43:08
Tracklisting: 1. Fire it Up (Demo), 2. I Take Power, 3. Gotta Let Go, 4. Rollin' Thunder, 5. Getch Ya, 6. Don't Go, 7. Peer Pressure, 8. We Need Love, 9. All I Need, 10. You Got Me.
Best Songs: Tracks 4, 6, & 9.
Band Lineup: Rex Scott - Vocals, Rob Kneip - Bass, Mike Buckner - Drums, Greg Bishop - Guitar.
Band Website: http://www.x-sinner.com or http://www.x-sinner.org
NO LIFE TILL METAL....
What we have here is a re-recording of the band's "Peace Treaty". The ballad "Hold On" was left off and replaced with a new rocker titled "Fire It Up". One thing that always worries me when a band re-records an old classic album is if the vocals will be as good. Well, rest assured Rex's vocals sound as good as they ever did. The band sticks close to the original song structures, although they do change up some minor things here and there. Some songs have longer guitar solos or slightly different intros. However, for the most part, the band keeps sticks to the original feel of the songs. The one noticable difference is that the overall sound is a bit thicker and heavier. I never really felt the original was that bad, but the band did. Also, the original was apparently the original recordings were tied up in so much label red tape that the band couldn't re-release the long out of print album without going to considerable expense. So, this is the result, a newly re-recorded album complete with a new song that give a peak into the bands future. Thankfully they are sticking with their classic metal sound. As in the past, the AC/DC comparisons are valid, but comparisons to Krokus and Def Leppard are just as valid. (review reprinted from http://www.nolifetilmetal.com )
WWW.ANGELIC WARLORD.COM review
Fire It Up, the new 2006 full length Retroactive Records release from X-Sinner, can trace its beginnings back to the bands sophomore effort Peace Treaty. Recorded in early 1991 in follow up to X-Sinner’s 1989 debut Get It, Peace Treaty was produced by brothers John and Dino Elefante of Pakaderm studio fame but a watered down mix that lacked a biting rhythm guitar sound left the band dissatisfied. An attempt was later made to re-issue Peace Treaty but when a literal wall of red tape was encountered, Retroactive suggested to X-Sinner that they re-record the album from scratch. The band agreed and soon entered the studio, completing the recording process in late 2004 with the final editing taking place early the next year. The end result is Fire It Up, an excellent effort that succeeds laudably in capturing the heavier and more guitar driven sound the band was looking for. Taking the all out raw energy of AC/DC and combining it with the catchy hooks and commercial sensibility of Def Leppard, Fire It Up proves the much more fresh, memorable and exciting listen when compared to the bands prior efforts. In the end, the album includes 9 of the 10 tracks originally appearing on Peace Treaty with the ballad “Hold On” replaced by “Fire It Up”, an excellent new song which the band recorded specifically for the project.
After original vocalist Dave Robbins left X-Sinner following the release of Get It, Rex Scott of South Dakota based Zion was recruited to fill his place. When the band initially approached Scott about the opening, Zion was getting ready to record the follow up to its 1989 debut Thunder From The Mountain. However, when Zion fell apart before it could enter the studio, Scott got in touch with the band at just the moment it made up its mind to start auditioning new singers. Scott flew out to California in late 1990 for the audition and, when things worked out, made the commitment to do the record and ultimately join the band.
Please note that bassist Rob Kniep also left X-Sinner before Peace Treaty could be recorded and was temporarily replaced by New Zealand native Andrew Langsford. Langsford, however, lasted long enough to play only one show before returning to New Zealand. As a result, Greg Bishop laid down the bass tracks for Peace Treaty, while a session musician named Lou Giovanni was recruited to fill in on bass on the subsequent tour. Kniep eventually returned to the band on a permanent basis following the Peace Treaty tour.
X-Sinner - Peace Treaty
While Dave Robbins was a near dead ringer for Brian Johnson of AC/DC, Rex Scott brings the more versatile and identifiable voice, contributing a vocal delivery that best can be described as passionate, gritty and gut level. Literally singing his guts out, Scott’s raw emotion and energy brings out the best in tracks such as “I Take Power” and “Rollin’ Thunder”. In my review of Get It I might have been unfairly harsh with guitarist Greg Bishop, describing his playing as “restrained” and “hit and miss”. In hindsight, the watered down guitar sound characteristic to Get It was undoubtedly the fault of the Pakaderm production team and not necessarily that of the band (or its guitarist). On Fire It Up, however, Bishop makes amends by proving a master of his instrument, laying down a more than ample amount of edge laden rhythm guitar and complementing it with lead guitar work of a very skillful variety. Bassist Rob Kniep and drummer Mike Buckner deliver the goods with a performance as tight as one could expect from a rhythm section.
In terms of the packaging, the Retroactive version features the more eye catching album artwork and better band photos but fails to include lyrics to the albums tracks. This is not a problem, on the other hand, because the lyrics can be found on Peace Treaty. For those who do not own a copy of Peace Treaty then please see my article entitled How To Find That Hard To Find CD.
Production values? Perfect in catching the bands all out natural and raw energy. Upfront and in your face rhythm guitar sound? In abundance. Just the right amount of clean sounding lead guitar and resounding low end? You will find it here.
The clashing symbols at the start of the albums title track give way to several seconds of edgy rhythm guitar, the grit-laden vibe maintained as the song moves on to a chorus with a huge catchy hook. Bishop tears it up with several seconds of fluid lead guitar work. Great song. If “Fire It Up” is an indicator of X-Sinner’s new material then any follow up effort recorded by the band should be killer.
“I Take Power” gets underway to the sound of a cheering audience before an open air rhythm guitar briefly steps forward. Taking off at a raucous upbeat tempo, a touch of vocal harmonies accentuates the song as it moves on to an energetic and non-stop hook filled chorus. I love how at its halfway point “I Take Power” stops dead in its tracks as Scott growls, “Do you know the power? Do you need the power? I wanna know- do you want the power?” Bishop follows with more of his blistering lead guitar work. “I Take Power” talks about dealing with temptation:
Its’ forty days and forty nights
Of being hit from all sides
Wild temptations tough situation
And all I’m getting is lies
That’s when I feel it rushin’ down my arms and legs
Won’t take no more I fight back with what You say
I take power, I take control
I take power, Not gonna lose my soul
“Gotta Let Go” kicks in to a pounding guitar riff and a scream from Scott. The vibrant momentum built as the song advances through its verse portions takes it to a chorus fortified by just the right amount of catchy vocal harmonies. Bishop graces the scene with his ardent work on guitar, forging a fire of burning riffs and fiery guitar solos.
“Rollin’ Thunder” opens to a literal wall of prevailing rhythm guitar, slowing to a sass-flavored mid-tempo pace for its verse portions prior to gaining impetus for a powerful chorus with a hook guaranteed to pull you in and refuse to let go. Bishop’s guitar solo starts slowly only to gain in fluid intensity as the bands vocal harmonies highlight the background. “Rollin’ Thunder” is a song about faith:
But then Your love and the way You show it
Comes down and covers me
In spite of my life the Way you know it
You break the chains inside of me
It’s like rolling thunder…
“Getch Ya” does exactly that with its catchy hook. Beginning to the voice of Scott who exclaims, “Hit me!”, “Getch Ya” cruises through its first verse with a ton of grit and attitude prior to gaining ground on an ardent chorus underlined by a touch of the bands trademark backing vocals. Again, Bishop is right on top of things by adorning the environment with his razor sharp lead guitar work. Scott’s scratchy voice really stands out here as well.
The pace tapers off a bit with the semi-ballad “Don’t Go”. Slowly moving through its first verse at a guitar driven mid-tempo pace, “Don’t Go” gains momentum for its catchy pre-chorus prior to obtaining a fleeting chorus that repeats its title twice in good commercial fashion. A fiery guitar solo helps carry a nice extensive instrumental section. “Don’t Go” is dedicated to those who have lost loved ones to suicide:
Looking out my window
Didn’t know you left
Was I blinded by my pride
Was it something I did not catch
I didn’t know how bad you were hurting
Lord knows how hard I tried
It was hard to make you see
The loss of you felt like the end for me
“Peer Pressure” is set in motion by an anthem-like blend of rhythm guitar and pounding drums. Tapering off to a touch of guitar feedback, the song moves through its first and second verse hard and heavy as things are decorated by the bands tasteful vocal harmonies. After Bishop nails an over-the-top guitar solo to the sound of a motorcycle gunning in the background, “Peer Pressure” closes out its third and final verse in the same hard rocking fashion.
Slowly but gradually moving through its first verse to Scott’s gritty vocal delivery, “We Need Love” abruptly picks up in pace before marching through its second in the same resolute manner. The radio friendly chorus that follows is carried by a forward but not overriding mix of backing vocals. Very well done.
The hard hitting riff introducing “All I Need” gives way to a crunch flavored rhythm guitar buttressed by pulsating drums. Picking up in pace during its first verse, “All I Need” achieves a brief but solid hook filled chorus which is repeated by the band twice. Bishop hits the nail on the head with his fluid lead guitar work.
“You Got Me” fades in to a quietly played guitar line prior to incrementally progressing through its first verse. Gaining momentum in an abrupt manner, “You Got Me” attains a very classy chorus underscored by just the right amount of crunchy rhythm guitar. A very fine ending to an all around solid albums.
As for “Hold On”, the ballad from Peace Treaty that was not recorded for Fire It Up, it is an average-to-good commercial based number that does not quite rate with the better material found here
Fire It Up stands out as a work that is nothing less than a great deal of fun to listen to. And when taking into consideration the all out raw energy and catchy hooks of “I Take Power”, Fire It Up” and “Rollin’ Thunder” or the more commercial sounds of “Don’t Go” or “You Got Me”, it is destined to rank with the finest releases of the year. The bands top notch performance and the solid production job only proves icing on the cake. My final thoughts here? John & Dino Elefante of Pakaderm Studios should be both tied to a chair and forced to listen to Fire It Up non-stop for several weeks straight…
In closing , at the time of this review X-Sinner is at work on material to be included on a new album entitled Back In Red which is scheduled to be released next year.
And last but certainly not least, for you trivia fans out there I went ahead and added the original album artwork proposed by the band but rejected by the label executives.
X-Sinner - Peace Treaty - original album artwork
Rating: 90% of 100%
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Fire It Up” (3:17), “I Take Power” (4:35), “Gotta Let Go” (4:03), “Rollin’ Thunder” (4:18), “Getch Ya” (4:32), “Don’t Go” (5:22), “Peer Pressure” (3:46), “We Need Love” (5:03), “All I Need” (3:44), “You Got Me” (4:28)
Musicians
Rex Scott – Lead Vocals
Greg Bishop – Guitars
Rob Kniep – Bass
Mike Buckner – Drums
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