Armored Saint: reviews, highlights, and heavy metal grit

Armored Saint

Musical Group

Forfans of classic heavy metal and american power metal, john bush-era enthusiasts, and guitar-driven metal listeners.
4 Reviews 1 Definitions 1 Charts

The Profile

Armored Saint is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1982. Known for John Bush’s commanding vocals and Joey Vera’s bass work, the group became a cult fixture of American power metal, peaking critically with Symbol of Salvation (1991). After a 90s hiatus tied to Bush’s tenure in Anthrax, the band returned and continues to release new music and tour.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1982; core members include John Bush, Joey Vera, Gonzo Sandoval, Phil Sandoval, and Jeff Duncan; early guitarist Dave Prichard (1963–1990) is memorialized on Symbol of Salvation; John Bush also fronted Anthrax; the band remains active.

Three reviews chart Armored Saint’s arc from the classic debut to a career peak and a mature return. Symbol of Salvation is hailed as a top-tier 90s metal album. La Raza is praised as solid, analog-cut and refreshed with 70s hues. March of the Saint is fondly regarded, if close to NWOBHM templates. Throughout, John Bush’s vocals and the band’s tight musicianship take center stage.

Notable Quotes

❝ "Symbol of Salvation" is, to all intents and purposes, one of the best Metal albums released in the nineties.

❝ It's hard to speak ill of Armored Saint, a band that has always made substance and coherence its creed, composed of first-rate musicians and an eclectic singer that any metal group would want behind their microphone.

❝ Every Metal enthusiast should know Armored Saint, who unfortunately never managed to achieve the fame they truly could have, due to a contract with an incompetent record label.