ARMORED SAINT Punching the Sky | Weekly Heavy Metal Album

 

Released by Metal Blade Records on October 23rd, 2020

Quick Background

Armored Saint is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1982 in Los Angeles, California. The band has consisted of John Bush on lead vocals, Joey Vera on bass, Jeff Duncan on rhythm guitar (who replaced original guitarist Dave Prichard, who died of leukemia in 1990) and the Sandoval brothers, Gonzo and Phil, on drums and lead guitar, respectively. Armored Saint eventually broke up when Bush joined Anthrax in 1992 to replace Joey Belladonna, but reunited in 1999, and has continued to tour and record since then.

Punching the Sky

Armored Saint's eighth full-length Punching The Sky sees the band going a little more to the point than the previous record, the good Win Hands Down from 2015. Most of the eleven songs are not very long with 4 to 5 minutes long and the album clocks in at 54 minutes. The majority of the music written by Vera and the lyrics penned by Bush. Punching The Sky sounds modern and yet captures Armored Saint's signature sound. Bush's voice is unmistakable and once again he delivers and amazing performance. As always there are no lack of great catchy choruses along with tons of sections that feel huge and epic. The album is also dynamic and diverse with some crushing parts, some epic parts, some groove parts, some quiet parts. 

The huge and epic "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants" is such a powerful opener! What a great song. An almost 7-min epic with an incredible build-up, cool lyrics and a powerful chorus. I can't help to think of the best Anthrax's work with Bush. I find it really fun that the album title is part of the chorus but not the title of the song. And when you hear it, you actually want to punch the sky. On the crushing facet of it we have "End of the Attention Span" which is fast tempo thrashy bombastic and certainly a future live favorite. "Do Wrong to None" a very melodic song and still also crushing. The single "Missile to Gun" which sounds like an homage to 80's German power metal is another crushing missile, pun intended. 

The modern sounding and groovy "Bubble" works very well, On the other hand the more alt rock "Bark, No Bite" not quite the same impact. "Lone Wolf"  gets a bit quieter and mid-tempo, it's an OK song but I am not a big fan of the chorus. "Fly in the Ointment" is also a mid-tempo but in this case it works for me as it keeps the epicness alive. "Unfair" is the shortest song and the calmer of all. But it doesn't sound like a power ballad. It's rather a doomy melancholic tune with a very bluesy guitar solo and an epic ending. It works well and to me would've been a perfect closer. But they preferred to lift the mood and close the album with "Never You Fret". While a good song, it doesn't add much to the album.

One thing is clear, the band works in favor of the music and not to show off themselves so while there are many solos, cools riffs and difficult parts to sing, it's never overdone. The album sounds great and Vera while the main song writer and producer does not exaggerate on the bass emphasis, but it's enough to appreciate it throughout the album.

The Picky Guy

My only complain is the length of the album and 2 or 3 songs that didn't add much to me. I didn't like the sound of "Lone Wolf" and "Bark, No Bite" both felt a bit out of place. I'd also like more epic songs like the opener which is by far my favorite song on the album. Other than that can't complain much.

Wrap Up Opinion 

While not perfect PTS is one of the best metal albums of the year, great production, sound, performance and music writing. Listening to it is a breath of fresh air from a very mature band. It will make you raise your fists and literally punch that sky. Join me celebrating this amazing and often underrated metal giants with an 85/100, a very good album.

SCORE: 85/100

Genre: Heavy Metal

Released by Metal Blade Records on October 23rd, 2020

Rating System*
99 - 100 Perfect
94 - 98 Excellent
87 - 93 Great
82 - 86 Very Good
77 - 81 Good
66 - 76 Mixed
58 - 65 Bad

* slightly adapted on May 24th, 2020 due to statistical review
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