Sinner

Drowning Pool: Dave Williams (vocals); C.J. Pierce (guitar); Steve Benton (bass); Mike Luce (drums).
Recorded at Ocean Studios, Burbank, California.
Texans can proudly add the metalists of Drowning Pool to the list of accomplished musical Dallas natives that often points towards Pantera as a noted benchmark. Years of touring with Kittie and Sevendust helped to build a groundswell that made the signing of the band, and subsequent release of SINNER an anticipated event. As far as debuts go, Drowning Pool displays hard-won skill; well crafted songs that touch on recurring themes of free thought and warn of blind faith in organized religion. Vocalist Dave Williams clearly comes from the Phil Anselmo (of Pantera) school, balancing throat-ripping ferocity with clean vocals, ruddering the dynamics of Drowning Pool in a dominant fashion. Producer Jay Baumgardner (Coal Chamber, Papa Roach) played a mentoring role in the sessions for SINNER, capitalizing on the band's strength and well-oiled tightness.