Review VANDENBERG ‘Sin’

Dutch guitar wizard Adrian Vandenberg is a veteran when it comes to rock and metal. The axeman released a self-titled debut in 1982 and is a regular guest when hard rock icons Whitesnake perform a show in The Netherlands as he had a great time with the band.

The first era of Vandenberg included three longplayers before the band was put on hold due to the Whitesnake activities.

It was in 2013 when the guitarist formed Vandenberg’s Moonkings and release another three longplayers. Since 2020 the Dutchman re-activated his solo outlet with ‘2020’ marking a great return. Three years later, Vandenberg launches with ‘Sin’ a great new album, featuring nine songs.

Important to know is, that the position of the singer changed. Was it the omnipresent Ronnie Romero, that enriched the ‘2020’ release, it is Mats Leven who takes care about the vocals duties on ‘Sin’.

The album starts with ‘Thunder and Lightning’ and the title says it all. Rocking loud and hard, that is what Vandenberg has to offer in 2023 and immediately, parallels to Whitesnake become obvious. This shouldn’t be a big surprise, knowing the career of the guitarist and what becomes a common line throughout the album is that still has a lot of own identity to stand strong. ‘Sin’, album as well as song, is heavier though and comes with more edges. ‘Sin’ is more dynamic and celebrates the spirit of hard rocking music.

And there is the galloping ‘Hit the Ground Running’, a great upbeat song, performed with passion for the power of rock. ‘Baby You’ve Changed’ is the emotional peak of the album. The tear-jerker has the potential to reach a wider audience as it is at home in the fields of mainstream.

Next to this kind of songs, Vandenberg recorded also songs like to booming ‘Light It Up’, which is a song with an addictive groove. Another shade of Vandenberg’s sound is represented by ‘Out of the Shadows’. The song is slower and darker. It’s a heavily pounding songs that almost enters the fields of doom.

‘Sin’ is worth a sin. Vandenberg crafted a thrilling and entertaining album that showcases talent, passion and experience.