There are few bands in metal history as consistent as Armored Saint. Known for their twin guitar attack, hard hitting hooks, and the gruff vocals of John Bush, they created a sound that’s distinctly theirs. Now that I think of it, I don’t think I’ve heard a single band in the midst of this so called NWOTHM and thought, “Wow! They sound like Armored Saint!”, but I digress. On top of sounding unique, they have a pretty rock solid catalog to boot. And once you acknowledge March of the Saint (1984) and Symbol of Salvation (1991) as being in a league of their own, it becomes even easier to critique their latest album, Punching the Sky.
Punching the Sky is the third Armored Saint album since their 2006 reunion. Musically, it follows in the steps of its predecessors, La Raza (2010) and Win Hands Down (2015). The classic Armored Saint formula is still there. It’s just been reshaped and redefined to fit with the current times. Now unlike other retro acts, this self reinvention isn’t a cheap attempt at gaining mainstream rock radio airplay. It’s rather Armored Saint’s way of rolling with the changes. Would I love to see them reprise their swords and shields, unleashing razor sharp, glistening US power metal like its 1984 again? Absolutely. But those days are over.
What Punching the Sky also shares with La Raza and Win Hands Down is an even ratio of hits and misses. Mind you, most of these “misses” are still better than what you’ll hear on your local so called “rock” station. There’s nothing bad about “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”. It just seems like a standard modern rock song I’ve heard a time or two before. The same can be said for the pseudo-groove metal of “Do Wrong to None” and the half Godsmack/half Fates Warning ballad (you read that correctly), “Unfair”.
I don’t think Armored Saint can do better than these songs. I know they can. How do I know? Exhibit A: “Missile to Gun”. It should be no surprised that this 80s inspired rager is my choice cut. This is the closest we get to the old Armored Saint sound. Heart racing drums? Check. Lyrics involving combat? Check. A twin lead guitar duel? Check! What more could I ask for? Well, I guess I could ask for another song in the same vein. Although there’s no need to. “End of the Attention Span” has me covered. I think this would’ve been a much more effective opener than “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”.
There’s always been a touch of hard rock to Armored Saint and we’re treated to that as well. “My Jurisdiction” and “Lone Wolf” are super catchy melodic hard rockers, the former sharing the same four on the floor swagger as the classic “Can U Deliver”. It’s funny because I tend to look down upon this modern rock style as generic and formulaic. Yet when its given the Armored Saint treatment, it works.
All in all, Punching the Sky is a respectable continuation of the Armored Saint legacy. While the songwriting is spotty at times, the top notch musicianship makes up for it. Plus, I think it’s impossible for Armored Saint to make a bad album. It’s just not in their blood. Let’s hope they never prove me wrong.
6 out of 10
Label: Metal Blade Records
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Anthrax (John Bush era), Metallica, Fates Warning