Rating: 10 / 10 Stars
ARMORED SAINT is: John Bush (lead vocals), Joey Vera (bass/backing vocals), Jeff Duncan (guitar/backing vocals), Gonzo Sandoval (drums/backing vocals), Phil Sandoval (guitars)
REVIEW – In late 1989, Pasadena, California natives Armored Saint were on top of their game, or so they thought, writing new songs and recording 4-track demos for their fourth full-length studio album in six years. Then came the news that founding member and lead guitarist Dave Prichard was diagnosed with Leukemia. Prichard succumbed to the disease a mere six months later, leaving vocalist John Bush, bassist and chief co-songwriter Joey Vera, drummer Gonzo Sandoval, and newest addition, guitarist Jeff Duncan, wondering what to do and what Armored Saint’s future was. The band decided to bring in producer Dave Jerden, who also worked with Alice in Chains and Jane’s Addiction, to finish the album and dedicate it to the spirit and memory of Prichard.
The album Symbol of Salvation was released on Metal Blade records in May of 1991, and was embraced warmly by fans and critics alike. Cited as being their best album to date, many reviews initially gave Symbol of Salvation 4.5 out of 5 stars. It was their longest album to date, clocking in at almost 56 minutes. This album would unknowingly be catapulted into Classic Album status many years later.
The album kicks off with their first single from it, the crushing “Reign of Fire”, followed by “Dropping Like Flies”, the second and most successful single, “Last Train Home” comes next, with “Tribal Dance”, and “The Truth Always Hurts” following. The first side ends with an instrumental, “Half Drawn Bridge”, which serves as an intro to the next track, “Another Day”. Side two begins with the fiery title track, “Hanging Judge” is next, which was also featured in the movie “Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth”, along with a short clip of the band performing it. “Warzone”, and “Burning Question” follow. The most interesting track on the album is “Tainted Past”. Upon listening to this track, it’s clear that Armored Saint were becoming well-seasoned musicians and songwriters. Complex chord structures and longer tracks were emerging. The most fascinating thing about this track; the guys wanted to honor their old buddy Dave Prichard and utilize a guitar solo he did on the original 4-track demo for “Tainted Past”. The track was painstakingly lifted, polished and carefully timed to fit in the designated slot. Needless to say, it worked beautifully, and it sounds like Prichard was in the studio with the rest of his friends. It’s very touching and a fitting tribute. The album ends with an explosion- the almost-thrash “Spineless”.
Armored Saint figured this would be their farewell, and went on what they thought would be their final tour. The call from thrash legends Anthrax came soon after the tour was over for John Bush to replace the recently departed Joey Belladonna, and Bush accepted, thereby ending Armored Saint’s almost 10 year run. The same lineup would reunite in 2000 during a hiatus from Anthrax, release another album titled “Revelation”, and go on tour again. After it was revealed in 2005 that Anthrax was reuniting permanently with Belladonna, Bush said that his involvement with Anthrax was over, leaving the door open to more albums and tours with Armored Saint. They’ve remained together and have released albums semi-regularly since.
In 2003, Symbol of Salvation was reissued by Metal Blade records as a 3-Disc set. The first disc was the remastered album, the second disc was the entire album (minus “Half Drawn Bridge”) in its original 1989 demo form, and this collection includes “Tainted Past”, which the guitar solo that was used on the final mix of the album. In retrospect, this album holds up amazingly 28 years later, and hasn’t lost an ounce of its original excitement.
