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Armored Saint: Raising fear
18/04/13 || InquisitorGeneralis
I discovered Armored Saint’s “Raising Fear” while on a romantic trip in sunny Greenville, South Carolina… home to Egytometallers Nile, ironically. This past summer, it was home to the twenty-three year old little lady I was plowing to feel younger and better about myself. It worked. Anyhow, one afternoon we stumbled into a local record shop and, basking in the glow of Karl Sander’s residual sexiness, I saw the unbelievably sweet cover to “Raising Fear” and the even sweeter discount price tag. I had never really checked the band out, but I knew John Bush was (is) the frontman and I love me some Sound of White Noise so I picked it up.
Did the giant knight on the cover take his helmet, unzip my aural fly, and suck my musical dick? Not entirely, there is a reason Armored Saint never broke into the top tier of thrash and heavy metal in the 80’s. Was I disappointed with my purchase? Nope, “Raising Fear” is a pretty enjoyable record if you take it for what it is; well done but hardly original metal that is heavy on the melodies and attempts at epicness. “Raising fear” starts things on the good foot and is one of the albums stronger tracks. It should be, because if you start off your album with a shitty song named after the album, you are fucking up early and often.
Coming in next with a cover of the iconic and completely dominating Lynyrd Skynyrd track “Saturday night special” is really testicular. Teh Skyn’ are arguably my favorite band, and “Saturday night special” is one of my favorite tracks! I must admit, Armored Saint do not butcher a classic. Is as good as the original gem from “Nuthin’ Fancy”? No way, but it is still an enjoyable song nonetheless. The rest of the first half of the album is decent… nothing repulsive but also nothing that pricks your plumpkin. “Isolation” is a good balled-turned-rocker that smells of older, classic rock like the iconic “Highway song” by Blackfoot. It’s not nearly that awesome, but the influence is palpable.
Things get going again on the midway through with “Chemical euphoria”, a pretty decent ripper that fires the album back up. “Book of blood” and “Terror” are sold 80’s thrash-meets-heavy metal that are accessible enough for the masses but still have the solid musicianship and heaviness to please the die hards. Dave Prichard especially stands out being the sole guitarist. His solos and riffs are pretty damn good, but are hampered by a lack of originality. same goes for Sandoval’s drumming; good he is but Pete he ain’t. And, as mentioned before, Bush’s vocals are excellent throughout “Raising Fear”.
I have a soft spot for this stuff, and Armored Saint do it well. Shit, they did cover a Skynyrd song and not entirely fuck it up…which is impressive. The song’s are somewhat catchy and Bush really can sing so, here’s what you get…
- Information
- Released: 1987
- Label: Chrysalis
- Website: www.ArmoredSaint.com
- Band
- John “Hairy” Bush: vocals
- Dave “Little” Prichard: guitars
- Joey “Aloe” Vera: bass
- Gonzo “Not Pete” Sandoval: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. Raising Fear
- 02. Saturday Night Special (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
- 03. Out on a Limb
- 04. Isolation
- 05. Chemical Eurphoria
- 06. Crisis of Life
- 07. Frozen Will/Legacy
- 08. Human Vulture
- 09. Book of Blood
- 10. Terror
- 11. Underdogs
