ARMORED
SAINT
What
is the definition of a real band? How about brothers from
beginning to eternity? If you ask me, it's Armored Saint.
I maintain to this day that they are the only true original
LA metal band from that fantastic period where metal exploded
all over the world. They were truly born, bred, and raised
together right here in El Lay. No other band has the true
roots and rights to make this claim. Hell, they met each
other when they were eight years old and stuck it out! Through
heaven and hell they are still creating incredible music!
The true believers, and I consider myself among the many,
know that this has always been an incredible live band and
that Symbol Of Salvation (1991) is among the greatest metal
records ever made. Armored Saint has endured now for twenty
years (1981-2001) and Nod To The Old School is ample evidence
why I pray this band will make many more albums.
The
band has tastefully revealed all that they are with new
original studio compositions, re-mixes, live recordings,
covers, and even demos. But these are no real demos, these
are keepers. The original four track-demos that Dave Prichard
brilliantly recorded are priceless and have helped keep
this important band alive far past his days. They are revealed
here untouched. I asked producer/bassist Joey Vera about
those famous demos (they made many metal critics year-end
top ten album lists without being albums) and why they sounded
so well recorded. "We never thought of them as demos
when we made them," he said," we thought of them
as an album we were making for ourselves." I remember
being at that crossroads in Armored Saint's career. I heard
all the naysayers, I heard the praise, I sensed the confusion,
I saw the logistics and I am amazed at what Armored Saint
have accomplished in the on and off time they have been
allowed to be a rock and roll band. I think all great bands
have their own soul, a flame that won't die, a big fire
inside that is their own. In a perfect world they should
play and play until they had nothing left to say.
I
called over to the studio when the band was working on the
final mixes of this album. I spoke to each of the members
of a band I dearly love and I sensed a solid maturity, a
feeling of serenity in a band that has lost many battles
but could very well win the war. After all they are the
only who took the world on as Armored Saint! Interestingly
everybody had a different take on this album. Joey called
it a chance to put everything Armored Saint has done, the
blistering live shows and the seminal albums in the proper
light. "In the beginning we wanted to destroy everything
in our path," Joey said, "now we have a greater
sense of perspective." John Bush called the album "gravy".
"If you have been an artist all your life and have
had to struggle like we have to make a living, to make an
album like this where you can do anything you want is a
blessing." Phil was thankful and respectful. I asked
him what was his first lasting impression of Saint's great
red force, Dave Prichard. "He played so loud!"
He answered quickly, "Maybe he wanted to be heard for
eternity!" Phil continued, "I am really grateful
that I can play in this band and contribute. I want to get
better as a guitar player and I have to say there is no
way this record would have been made without Joey's strength."
The first thing Jeff said when I spoke into the phone was,
"It's good to hear your voice!" He too was happy
to be in a band that has given him the freedom to pursue
the heavier side of sonic life. However only someone who
is truly named Gonzo (Gonzalo) could have expressed what
Armored Saint is all about when in perfect metal 'dudespeak'
he said, "There are no dreams if you bail!" I
rest their case. I sign off in sincere life-long appreciation
for this great band, Armored Saint. Now, turn the CD up
louder!
-Jon
Sutherland Music Journalist
