The Christian rock outfit X-Sinner left a lasting impression on many fans during the late 80's and early 90's. It's almost safe to say they were most well known as a complete rip off of the heavy metal pioneers AC/DC, but these believers had enough spark in them to create uplifting and powerful rock music. Their first two albums with Pakaderm/A&M Records were released in the very early 90's and the band broke up shortly before recording songs for their third record. In 2005, the group was given the opportunity of a lifetime to re-record Peace Treaty with Retroactive Records under the new title called Fire It Up. The raw sound and production quality of these re-recorded songs have left die-hard fans very pleased and craving more from X-Sinner.

The album starts off with a demo of the title track "Fire It Up." For demo quality it sounds really good for this release and it gives the listener a taste of what the band has been working on, but the demo track left a bad first impression on me and it should have been featured at the end of the album. Rex Scott could have used some backup vocals from the other members during the chorus of "Fire It Up," but I consider that a minor issue which will be worked on in the future. The album gets underway with the powerful rock anthem "I Take Power," which deals with fighting back against evil desires with the power of God, "In forty days and forty nights, I've been hit from both sides. My own temptation is a situation and all I'm gettin' is lies. That's when I feel it break down my arms and legs, I won't take anymore, I fight back with what You say. I take power, I take control, Not gonna lose my soul." Greg Bishop's guitar solo at the end of the song is nothing more than pure brilliance.

"Gotta Let Go" earns points as the most well performed song, and talks about surrendering ourselves over to Jesus while attempting not to be too preachy, "I know I need to get on my knees. You know I've been so lazy, lazy. Been a runnin' and doin' just as I please. You know it gets so crazy, crazy. Down on my knees, I'm beginning to see that I gotta let go. Gotta let go of the things that I hold. Gotta let go all night long." I was both intrigued and overjoyed by X-Sinner's departure from the AC/DC style with the ballad "Don't Go." The song draws more influences from the 1980's rock band Def Leppard, and the lyrics read off like the final words of someone who's close friend committed suicide, "Looking out my window, I didn't know you left. Was I blinded by my pride? Was it something I did not catch? I didn't know how bad you were hurting; Lord knows how hard I tried. I tried to love you, but now I cry so endlessly. I wonder why? Now it hurts deep inside."

The demo version of "Fire It Up" needs a lot of work before making it to their next album, but that's about it. "Rollin' Thunder," "All I Need," and "Peer Pressure" all make really good rock songs worth listening to over and over again. More than likely, fans of AC/DC and Def Leppard will enjoy this album more than anyone else. If you are a fan of X-Sinner's previous efforts, you will be blown away by the production quality of this release. Crank up the volume to level 12 and enjoy rocking out to the return of a classic rock group that is here to stay.

- Review date: 1/25/09, written by Fred Keel of Jesusfreakhideout.com