Armored Saint - Win Hands Down
Following 2010’s ‘La Raza’ which I found a little introspective, one of the earliest LA and metal blade label heavy metal forces return with a different approach and a more extensive arsenal of musical ideas. Throughout their career they have had a strong following, albeit criminally underrated, maybe this is the real kick-starter their fans need?
With a track like "In An Instant," inspired by the terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon, Armored Saint bring a touch of reality to their music, all hell can let loose in a blink of an eye. But if you are looking for the tried and tested uplifting metal monsters then head over to the opener ‘Win Hands Down’ which leads with a great vocal melody from John Bush and purposeful music section firing on max. ‘Up Yours’ essentially gives a middle finger to haters, this is another strong metal assault that’s more than mid paced and closes an album that at first you may find tough to comprehend when you first listen to it.
Why do I say it’s tough? Well, the album feels like a well-oiled machine but thankfully there are enhancements that expand expectations, but you have (in my case) listen to it a few times before you get where the band are going. There are the obvious metal monsters, but there’s so much more given also. ‘Muscle Memory’ has a cool vocal melody, but musically there is experimentation with time signatures and drum patterns. One thing that is a departure from the normal run of business is on the track ‘With A Full Head of Steam’. Here, John Bush shares his vocal with Pearl Aday (Wife of Scott Ian [Anthrax/Motor Sister]) who is in bassist Joey Vera’s other recent project Motor Sister, this is a metal number so you’ll enjoy this one. However, a track such as ‘Dive’ will no doubt split the general consensus of opinion as its lead instrument is a piano. Apart from this departure, I do also find the lower register vocal passages a little strained here, but as an album, this track is not enough to lower your appreciation of what Armored Saint have conjured here, especially as they have combined some darkness to the lighter side of the band.
So, when I said things are a little different here on ‘Win Hands Down’, It’s probably slightly wrong to say it’s a more mature recording for the band, it’s more a touch of realism to their highly addictive US metal roots. ‘Win Hand’s Down’ will be a pleasing stomp for long standing fans of the band but is also a sign that there’s more than mere heritage from a band revered so much as Armored Saint are by many, myself included.
With a track like "In An Instant," inspired by the terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon, Armored Saint bring a touch of reality to their music, all hell can let loose in a blink of an eye. But if you are looking for the tried and tested uplifting metal monsters then head over to the opener ‘Win Hands Down’ which leads with a great vocal melody from John Bush and purposeful music section firing on max. ‘Up Yours’ essentially gives a middle finger to haters, this is another strong metal assault that’s more than mid paced and closes an album that at first you may find tough to comprehend when you first listen to it.
Why do I say it’s tough? Well, the album feels like a well-oiled machine but thankfully there are enhancements that expand expectations, but you have (in my case) listen to it a few times before you get where the band are going. There are the obvious metal monsters, but there’s so much more given also. ‘Muscle Memory’ has a cool vocal melody, but musically there is experimentation with time signatures and drum patterns. One thing that is a departure from the normal run of business is on the track ‘With A Full Head of Steam’. Here, John Bush shares his vocal with Pearl Aday (Wife of Scott Ian [Anthrax/Motor Sister]) who is in bassist Joey Vera’s other recent project Motor Sister, this is a metal number so you’ll enjoy this one. However, a track such as ‘Dive’ will no doubt split the general consensus of opinion as its lead instrument is a piano. Apart from this departure, I do also find the lower register vocal passages a little strained here, but as an album, this track is not enough to lower your appreciation of what Armored Saint have conjured here, especially as they have combined some darkness to the lighter side of the band.
So, when I said things are a little different here on ‘Win Hands Down’, It’s probably slightly wrong to say it’s a more mature recording for the band, it’s more a touch of realism to their highly addictive US metal roots. ‘Win Hand’s Down’ will be a pleasing stomp for long standing fans of the band but is also a sign that there’s more than mere heritage from a band revered so much as Armored Saint are by many, myself included.
- Win Hands Down
- Mess
- An Exercise In Debauchery
- Muscle Memory
- That Was Then, Way Back When
- With A Head Full Of Steam
- In An Instant
- Dive
- Up Yours
Label: http://www.metalblade.com
Reviewer: twansibon
Jun 5, 2015
Jun 5, 2015
Next review:
Incinerate - Eradicating Terrestrial Species
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