Band : Armored Saint
Album Title : La Raza
Label : Metal Blade Records
Distributor : Rough Trade Benelux
Release Date : 12/03/2010
Review : CD

It may have taken them 10 years but The Saint is back and with a brand new album full of sizzling metal tunes. Armored Saint has profoundly been one of those bands with the strength to perform their straight ahead bluesy metal attack, regardless of the circumstances. These guys have kept their spirit intact ´till the day today, simply refusing to conform, but stay true to the scene, style, values and vision they have had from the very start, but without the silly medieval and mad max gimmicks. Check out their first album and their video clip “Can you deliver” and you know what I mean. This is a no holds barred performance for John Bush. Nothing is held back and so his vocals are front and centre, only moving aside for when the guitars come screaming into play, which is quite often. They split the centre stage and share it with equal force and ability. Guitarists Jeff Duncan and Phil Sandoval lay down a fierce performance as they trade solos and conjure riffs that are as intense as the vocals. With their musicianship way above par and song writing skills in-tact; the riffs, the hooks, and the overall melodies are the focus of the strengths.

This is one band that is highly respected in the heavy metal world and has reason to be.

90/100

Cosmicmasseur.