Review: X-SINNER – Goin’ Out With A Bang
by Chris Gatto
There was silence from the X-Sinner camp for so long that rumors of their demise starting making their rounds. Sure, there were a handful of shows over the long years, but barely a stirring it seemed, since World Covered in Blood in 2008. An appearance at Immortal Fest with Zion in 2023 and another show at BMI with Barren Cross in 2025 proved the band was still potent, and working on new material, which they graciously showcased for the fans in attendance. At the tail end of 2025, X-Sinner clapped back at the naysayers in the best way possible- by putting out what could arguably be the best album in their career! Goin’ Out With a Bang is everything the fans have wanted- loud, raucous, no holds barred or punches pulled, and certainly no mellowing out with age. The studio core of the band is Rex Scott, Greg Bishop, and Glenn Thomas (G/X Project), with Jason Ellsworth and Tommy “Gun” Bozung (Zion) in live settings.
“Light You Up” begins in familiar territory- heavily blues-influenced guitar rock, with the razor-throated vocals you love in AC/DC, Cinderella, Overkill, Accept, Kix, and Raven (UK) and a sing along- shout along chorus. “Going For Broke” bring the guitars way up front for an infectious groove and a “Hey! Hey!” chorus that you just can’t deny. The title track slows down from the previous freight train as Rex howls out, “Going out With a Bang!” AC/DC detractors complain that all their songs sound roughly the same. Not so with our boys. It may be all the same chords, but Mr. Bishop employs them to their fullest extent. Love the soloing in “Fire and Thunder” and “Win or Lose.” “Win or lose. It’s time to choose.” “World on Fire” picks up the pace again and there’s some chanting bgv’s toward the end while Rex howls out that- you guessed it- “World on Fire!” One might hear a little Chuck Berry guitar in “Runnin’ Out of Time.” “Hell or High Water” returns to the fast paced guitar grooves and drumming for one of the high water marks of the album, with Rex growling out some spoken word near the end of the tune. It’s ironic that “Rocket” shares the same song title as the Def Leppard hit from Hysteria, as this more polished tune with the gang vocals asking “Can you rocket?” would find itself at home on either Pyromania or Hysteria from the aforementioned British hard rockers. “Time to Rise” sums up the album nicely, as we see that the world has gone to hell in a hand basket, Rex implores you “It’s time to rise!” If you wait for the sleeper track, you’ll hear little snippets from this band’s past.
The album is a scant 34 minutes long, but not a clunker on here. The album was well worth the wait. My choice picks are the first 3 tracks, plus “Hell or High Water.” Cover art is first rate. I actually incorporated it into some ink. CD is a cheaper cardboard slip cover (only complaint), while the gatefold vinyl with smoky fire colored wax looks phenomenal. Every band wants to tell you that their latest album is their best. 35+ years in with Goin’ Out With A Bang, I think these guys did just that. Here’s hoping the title’s not prophetic. Long live X-Sinner! (x-sinnerband.com).
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