Post by duojett71 on Mar 31, 2010 22:35:55 GMT -5
Some of you may know that I am a huge Armored Saint fan. I have been a fan since their second album
'Delirious Nomad'....which is still my favorite Saint record. But honestly they have never disappointed me, except
for the time when John Bush got the gig with that other band and they broke up.
Well after almost a 10 year absence Armored Saint release their newest album 'La Raza'. This album kicks major
ass! The sound is slightly more modern then their 2000 release 'Revelation'. There is also more latin and blues
elements mixed in as well. What is still present is the heaviness, the aggression, and the edginess that is riddled
throughout every Armored Saint album to date.
'La Raza' starts off with a classical Spanish intro and then drops into the stop go rhythm of "Loose Cannon"
and never lets up. Track 2 "Head On" starts off with a soft organ dirge that goes right into a triumphant guitar
harmony reminiscent of "March of The Saint" from their debut. The song "Chilled" is a slower paced melodic and
somewhat atmospheric song where singer John Bush sings about how his perspective on life has changed since
reaching middle age. The album as a whole really sees Bush shine throughout. We still have classic John Bush, which
was always about power and melody, but what we have now is a more mature and seasoned singer who maybe a
little less pissed off, but maybe a little more cynical. Bush delivers the goods on this record as do Guitarists Phil
Sandoval and Jeff Duncan. The solos really compliment the song and help to build and release the
tension. There are no overabundance of dual guitar harmonies and flashy over the top mindless soloing. Both
guys keep in the pocket and at times have you on the edge of your seat. Very gutsy, melodic, soulfuf and ballsy
playing by Duncan and Sandoval all over . Other stand out tracks are the in your face "Left Hook From Right
Field", the title track "La Raza" which features some nice hand percussion and one of the most memorable
choruses I have heard in a while, "Black Feet" with a great dropped D acoustic blues intro, "Blues" with its super
catchy riff could have come straight off 1991's "Symbol Of Salvation" and the latin grooved album closer "Bandit Country".
As far as musical output goes Armored Saint may be short on quantity, but never lacking in quality. 'La Raza' follows
a pattern of nine years between albums. 2000's 'Revelation' saw a nine year gap between that and their previous
release 'Symbol Of Salvation'. Hopefully their next album will be sooner than that. 'La Raza' also follows a pattern
dating back to 1984 when they released their debut 'March of The Saint' in that it is yet again another classic and
amazing record. The kind you have to spin three or four times in one day because once just isn't enough.
Not sure if this is yet another reunion album or if the band is back together again. I don't think they really know either.
I think these guys just make great music out of the pure enjoyment. They never sold that many records back in the day
and probably never will. Armored Saint is just one of those bands that is too good to be popular.
Rating- 4.5 out of 5
'Delirious Nomad'....which is still my favorite Saint record. But honestly they have never disappointed me, except
for the time when John Bush got the gig with that other band and they broke up.
Well after almost a 10 year absence Armored Saint release their newest album 'La Raza'. This album kicks major
ass! The sound is slightly more modern then their 2000 release 'Revelation'. There is also more latin and blues
elements mixed in as well. What is still present is the heaviness, the aggression, and the edginess that is riddled
throughout every Armored Saint album to date.
'La Raza' starts off with a classical Spanish intro and then drops into the stop go rhythm of "Loose Cannon"
and never lets up. Track 2 "Head On" starts off with a soft organ dirge that goes right into a triumphant guitar
harmony reminiscent of "March of The Saint" from their debut. The song "Chilled" is a slower paced melodic and
somewhat atmospheric song where singer John Bush sings about how his perspective on life has changed since
reaching middle age. The album as a whole really sees Bush shine throughout. We still have classic John Bush, which
was always about power and melody, but what we have now is a more mature and seasoned singer who maybe a
little less pissed off, but maybe a little more cynical. Bush delivers the goods on this record as do Guitarists Phil
Sandoval and Jeff Duncan. The solos really compliment the song and help to build and release the
tension. There are no overabundance of dual guitar harmonies and flashy over the top mindless soloing. Both
guys keep in the pocket and at times have you on the edge of your seat. Very gutsy, melodic, soulfuf and ballsy
playing by Duncan and Sandoval all over . Other stand out tracks are the in your face "Left Hook From Right
Field", the title track "La Raza" which features some nice hand percussion and one of the most memorable
choruses I have heard in a while, "Black Feet" with a great dropped D acoustic blues intro, "Blues" with its super
catchy riff could have come straight off 1991's "Symbol Of Salvation" and the latin grooved album closer "Bandit Country".
As far as musical output goes Armored Saint may be short on quantity, but never lacking in quality. 'La Raza' follows
a pattern of nine years between albums. 2000's 'Revelation' saw a nine year gap between that and their previous
release 'Symbol Of Salvation'. Hopefully their next album will be sooner than that. 'La Raza' also follows a pattern
dating back to 1984 when they released their debut 'March of The Saint' in that it is yet again another classic and
amazing record. The kind you have to spin three or four times in one day because once just isn't enough.
Not sure if this is yet another reunion album or if the band is back together again. I don't think they really know either.
I think these guys just make great music out of the pure enjoyment. They never sold that many records back in the day
and probably never will. Armored Saint is just one of those bands that is too good to be popular.
Rating- 4.5 out of 5
