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ARMORED SAINT
Win Hands Down

Metal Blade (2015)
Rating: 8/10

If we were throwing out the “underrated metal bands” tag in regards to the 80s, then surely Armored Saint would find themselves at the top of the tree or thereabouts.

For me, as a big heavy metal fan growing up in that decade, Armored Saint always seemed to be on the fringe of success and recognition; a truly cult act boasting enough armour-plated prowess to contend with the best. And yet, like so many bruising bands of their ilk, the mighty Saint always remained somewhat under the radar, cranking out their molten self-titled debut EP in 1983 and following it with 1984’s March Of The Saint. My favourite from the band however was 1991’s Symbol Of Salvation; a fully cranked metal experience somewhat dampened by the eventual departure of vocalist John Bush to Anthrax.

As we’ve experienced time and time again within the heavy metal fray, however, bands come full circle. With 2000’s Revelation, we saw the Los Angeles-based band returning, but sadly another hiatus was soon to follow, Bush again teaming up with Anthrax until the return of the Saint in 2010 with La Raza. So, in a sense, these sporadic releases sort of some up the rather frustrating antics of a band that if more consistent and committed would surely have been battling it out with the big guns rather than playing second fiddle. As most of us expected though, Win Hands Down is another fine slab of heavy, pounding metal from an outfit that refuses to wilt in spite of outside influences.

What we get with this opus is nine solid tunes once again bringing together the talents of vocalist Bush, bassist Joey Vera, drummer Gonzo Sandoval, and the twin guitar barrage of Phil Sandoval and Jeff Duncan. With such chemistry between them, it’s no real surprise that Armored Saint circa 2015 is the same reliable beast it has always been, and maybe for some that’s the problem?

Win Hands Down – like so many of the band’s releases – offers enough cold steel to supply the A Game Of Thrones cast with enough swords to slay a plethora of dragons, but has this stable, almost no frills brand of charging metal been enough to garner the band the attention they deserve? Well, probably not. Nevertheless, as veterans within their field, Armored Saint are surely past caring what the critics say and are as ever intent on supplying their hardcore fanbase with a deadly diet of catchy, anthemic and often rampant heavy metal.

Win Hands Down begins life with the stern title track, which comes hammering like an epileptic blacksmith forging his latest weapon of mass destruction. The chords are simple yet effective and the drums hard and potent, while the bass plunders with stormy aplomb – they provide a cool, ripping backbone to Bush’s powerful tones. Oddly, in spite of his talent, I always found Bush’s slightly gravelled, wolfen sway a tad too muscular for Anthrax. However, with the Saint he matches that bruising musicianship, and seemingly effortlessly as the title track thunders smoothly amidst that driving drum which takes the track into thrashier climes.

What I’ve always loved about Armored Saint is that ability to melt together as one, however. Instead of existing as something flashy and inconsistent – possibly by way of a flamboyant vocalist – the quintet instead crafts songs that suit everyone, never once giving way to pomposity or ego, hence such vibrant and masculine threats as the stirring ‘Mess’ with its pulverising introduction and Bush’s hints of Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson, only with extra menace.

The same could also be said for the combative ‘An Exercise In Debauchery’ with its juddering bass-lines and groove-based guitar licks. Armored Saint have always been masters of churning out classic, pure metal, so I’m sort of befuddled as to why they’ve never reached dizzier heights because as an outfit, they’ve transcended the trends to continue to pulverise, batter and above all entertain with tireless songs and albums bereft of filler.

Armored Saint have always been relevant, but is it their honesty and straight up approach which has possibly affected their gradual climb to what some would consider to be mid-table mediocrity? Well, again, I don’t really know, but just one listen to some of those twisted, orgasmic grooves on ‘An Exercise In Debauchery’ will surely even have the critics salivating, and that’s without mention of the fizzling solos and Bush’s loose techniques, which would pretty much suit any band within the metal genre.

Actually, he was probably just too metal for Anthrax, in spite of his success with them. He’s always seemed just so at home with Saint, this being increasingly evident with the slow-building ‘Muscle Memory’, which starts off as a simmering trickle of a track before reaching such cool metallic climes with that powerhouse vocal. Indeed, it’s a modern metal statement, reeking of a contemporary design so often ignored by metal bands that rely too much on gloss. ‘Muscle Memory’ is pure unadulterated melodic rock for the masses, boasting some incredible subtle tones for added accessibility.

It’s fair to say that on the whole, Win Hands Down is not your average barbed approach by our merry band of metallic brothers who’ve spent a few decades entertaining us like jousting knights. With the racing ‘That Was Then, Way Back When’, the equally hostile ‘With A Head Full Of Steam’ and the closing ‘Up Yours’ with its punky vibe, we hear a band hopefully fully committed now to its future, because only then can these metal terrors become true titans of their field.

Win Hands Down is happy to nod to the past, but is also proof that Armored Saint are very much looking forward to a future as bright and glinting as the sword held high on their 1984 full-length debut.

Neil Arnold

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