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As we know, history isn't written with "ifs" and "buts", but for Armored Saint, perhaps, we can make an exception to this rule for once. What would have happened if their singer, the great John Bush, had given in to the allure of Metallica who called him in the very early days of their career to replace Hetfield as the vocalist? What would have happened if, years later, bassist Joey Vera had also left Armored Saint to replace the late Burton, again in Metallica? What would have happened if their esteemed guitarist David Prichard had not died a year after the release of this "Symbol of Salvation" from leukemia?
The answers, fortunately, are printed in the manuals of Heavy Metal music and have three titles: "Master of Puppets" (1986), "...and justice for all" (1988), and "Symbol of Salvation" (1991).
"Symbol of Salvation" is, to all intents and purposes, one of the best Metal albums released in the nineties. An album that, almost twenty years after its release, still evokes emotions, a kaleidoscope of grit, melody, technique that has few equals in American Power-metal. Without a doubt, it can also be considered the band's best studio work, at least the most mature and balanced one, not that the debut "March of the Saint" (1984) and "Raising Fear" (1987) should be underestimated. In the eighties, Armored Saint were the flag bearers of that typically American power-metal that perfectly combined the classic NWOBHM European metal with Bay Area thrash, with the addition of epic-fantasy themes never too invasive. Together with bands like Metal Church, Vicious Rumors, Savatage, Sanctuary, Riot, Omen, Crimson Glory, they formed a scene rich in talent that however never broke through worldwide, remaining cult groups, with the pleasant exception of Savatage's popularity in the nineties.
The demos of "Symbol of Salvation" were recorded by the band's founding guitarist David Prichard, a symbol of American power-guitar (a singular destiny he shares with the unfortunate Criss Oliva), but fate took him away just as they were about to enter the studio in the early months of 1990.
After a few months of hiatus, the band decided to continue their journey; the material was top-notch, and letting it fade away would have been too much. To honor Prichard's work, two former guitarists of the band were called back: Jeff Duncan and Phil Sandoval, completing a fearsome lineup with John Bush on vocals, Joey Vera on bass, and Gonzo Sandoval on drums. The opening, entrusted to "Reign Of Fire", is a mid-tempo monolith with cascades of solos and Bush's voice proving to be unrivaled, melodic and gritty at the same time—also listen to "Dropping Like Flies" to believe it. The new Armored Saint have certainly rounded off the edges and raw energy of the eighties, gaining in melody, songwriting, and the knack for surprising, as in "Last Train Home" or the "almost" tribal "Tribal Dance", the true masterpiece of the album. With the evocative semi-ballad "Another Day", the first part of the album closes, which then reserves the more aggressive compositions on the then B side, such as the thrashy "Spineless", "Symbol of Salvation", and "Warzone".
An essential album, as they don't come out anymore, those albums without filler, where every song was worth the purchase. If you want to make it yours, a few years ago a beautiful remastered version was released with three CDs, the original, the demos with Prichard's guitar, and a third CD with videos and interviews with the band members. I dare say that "Symbol Of Salvation" is one of those albums to play when someone asks you: "what is Heavy Metal?"
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Reign of Fire (03:56)
Fantasize exploding hands Archaic science Master plan Hear the war cry Watch the crow fly When your body's set It never fails Then you hear the tale of tales Bound and gagged You're in a reign of fire Spells and magic In the reign of fire Complacency with all A strong need to bathe in gall Hear the war cry Watch the crow fly When your body's set It never fails Then you hear the tale of tales Bound and gagged You're in the reign of fire Spells and magic In the reign of fire Feel the hexes In the reign of fire Find what sex is In the reign of fire I sold my soul To give to you I sold my soul Let me pull you through Never fails It never fails Feel the hexes In the reign of fire Find what sex is In the reign of fire Reign of fire Reign of fire
02 Dropping Like Flies (04:40)
Any minute the sparks will fly
At that point you will see fear in their eyes
It don't take much to send them crawling back
Just a harsh word then you attack
Gather up and
Take a sigh
See them dropping,Dropping like flies
Find revenge as Sweet as pie
See them dropping, Dropping like flies
Some call them noble but I say they're scum
Put them in control see what you become
No excuses for lack of brains
You had your chance now you can't complain
Gather up and
Take a sigh
See them dropping, Dropping like flies
Find revenge as Sweet as pie
See them dropping, Dropping like flies
See them dropping, Dropping like flies
Dropping
Smashing
Dying
Down
Can't you see 'em up there
Up on their hill so high
Close enough for gunfire
Shoot 'em down to size
Long way down
Gather up and
Take a sigh
See them dropping, Dropping like flies
Find revenge as Sweet as pie
See them dropping, Dropping like flies
Gather up and
Take a sigh
See them dropping, Dropping like flies
Find revenge as Sweet as pie
See them dropping, Dropping like flies x 3
12 Tainted Past (07:05)
The cynical view that has been taken Is blowing my mind I can't seem to piece it all together I guess it takes time to unwind To let the dust settle And let cooler heads prevail Each and every day I rise From the ashes I've left behind To start anew push through They say it's not meant to be Well I'm parting the sea Got to let go Move on from a tainted past I'll never know Fall out from a tainted past The selfish greedy world we live in Is making me mad It's always give me every marble Then kiss my ass Each and every day I rise From the ashes I've left behind To start anew push through If you go for the green You'll soon see what I mean Got to let go Move on from a tainted past I'll never know Fall out from a tainted past Tainted past Why should anyone finish last Tainted past You needn't be a saint All you need is lots of cash Why did it end this way I'll never understand Why my world is grey When you combine heartache With misery Sets up a challenge For destiny Each and every day I rise From the ashes I've
left behind To start anew push through They say it's not meant to be Well I'm parting the sea Got to let go Move on from a tainted past I'll never know Fall out from a tainted past
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