Review by JD on February 24, 2012.

Thirty Years in metal is impressive as hell, and it is if it is in any music. Metal maniac Matt Sinner is such a man who has become a humble figurehead in the world of metal music and no matter what band he is in or has formed. Sinner will be a bright and shining star that is his legacy.

One of the originators of the whole German metal thing in the early to late 80's and even beyond that, Sinner still commands respect across the whole spectrum of fans and musicians alike. Still true to its roots, Sinner still keeps sounding fresh and inviting while bringing the heaviness to the foreground. Matt and company is showing the true heart and passion that all metal still holds in high regards even when playing with his other act Primal Fear.

Songs that are this powerful yet capture the listener in the deepest parts of the soul are so addicting are what we all live for. Making this music makes it clear that Sinner continues its domination in the scene. Tracks like the infectious 'Give And Take' to the Thin Lizzy-esque 'Atomic Playboys'. The intensity and love of the music they play shines through and hammers home the fact that metal is a force before, today and for years to come.

"One Bullet Left" is an album that leads to a time when metal was king, and it is the album that will help keep the music strong and healthy. A legend is someone who is unselfishly gives to anyone and musically speaking Matt Sinner has been one person that has kept the metallic ball rolling on for years – and we can all be thankful for that.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Review by Lynxie on June 1, 2022.

Standing from a Freedom Call fangirl's point of view, Mornings Dwell's latest release actually makes a vaguely disturbing listen - this sounds just like Freedom Call pre - "Circle Of Life" era. I'm starting to think if they'd had Chris Bay for the vocals this would make a fair enough Freedom Call substitute.

We always call European power metal fast and melodic, and that's precisely what this album sounds like. First you get 'The Chosen Champion', a track that just screams Stratovarius with its chugging riffs. And then, opening with the insanely upbeat and catchy chorus, there is 'Wandering Man', a soaring anthem following the formula of 'High Up' and 'Farewell'. Their rhythm section and the even more upbeat orchestration on 'Behind The Gate' and 'Book Of Damnation' just remind me more of Freedom Call. Surely other bands have no business being this happy. And to be honest, I still think the riff in 'Change' is a 'Warriors' rip-off. Besides, the arrangement of a heavy and banging bridge before the bright and happy solo sounds rather like a structure Freedom Call would adapt on many of their songs, particularly on their legendary debut, no?

Barring the vaguely disturbing resemblance, this is most certainly a solid EUPM release. The vocalist Petter Hjerpe falls more on the generic side, with the normal Kiske energy plus a lisp of Timo Koltipelto and some of Tobias Sammet's more raspy quality. Nearly every tune here screams happiness, yet the heaviness was never wholly lost, the guitar always more dominating than the orchestration. The bass is mixed pretty forward too. In fact, I noted its chugging presence in pretty much every song. The chorus is all catchy and brainwashing as hell. The group vocals define perfectly the meaning of glory and unity. And the drums raced on with full Ingo Schwichtenberg energy. Bonus points, no soppy power metal ballads, though the last bit of The Power Will Go On did go slower and more ballad-ish. I suspect this part will be fun enough to sing along to when played live. Besides, 37 minutes is probably the perfect length. If this record gets any longer with this much happiness it would be a drag.

So this may be the closest to a Freedom Call parody I’ve ever heard these days, but I'm content - it's almost a bit like the continuation of Eternity we never got.

Highlights: 'Wandering Man', 'Change', 'The Power Will Go On'

Rating: 8.7 out of 10