Performer Notes

Drowning Pool: Dave Williams (vocals); C.J. Pierce (guitar); Steve Benton (bass); Mike Luce (drums).
Recorded at Ocean Studios, Burbank, California.
Personnel: Dave Williams (vocals).
Audio Mixer: Jay Baumgardner.
Recording information: Ocean Studios, Burbank, CA.
Photographer: Chapman Baehler.
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.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (7/19/01, p.53) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...DP keep the energy high throughout SINNER. There is little filler on this disc...of tightly packed and polished adrenaline....[This] may well provide another rallying cry for alienated new-metal fans..."

Entertainment Weekly (7/27/01, p.70) - "...Stern, rumbling, noirish metal....kicking it old-school headbanger style....Dive in, metal maniacs." - Rating: B+

Q (2/02, p.106) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...The point where old and nu-metal meet. The impeccable riffs and uncompromising rhythms are perfectly balanced by Dave William's fashionably angst-full lyrics..."