Review ARMORED SAINT “Emotion Factory Reset”

Armored Saint is a lesson in consistency and what it can lead to. The band, which premiered in 1984 with “March of the Saint”, has had an extremely stable line-up. John Bush and Joey Vera formed the band in the early ’80s, and Armored Saint quickly became one of the most influential power metal bands in the US.

Even the loss of founding member Dave Prichard (R.I.P.) to cancer and two splits could not stop the band, which returned from its latest hiatus in 2006. They have released three excellent albums since then, and it seems as though they are getting better and better with each one. The latest proof of this is their ninth full-length album, “Emotion Factory Reset”.

“Close to the Bone” is not only the furious opener of the album. This high-energy metal anthem was the lead single and a great introduction to the new album. “Close to the Bone” is 100% Armored Saint, showcasing a band that sticks to its trademark sound while constantly evolving. None of their previous records sound the same, and “Emotion Factory Reset” continues this pattern. It is this consistency that enables the band to evolve while continually adding new dimensions to their sound. While the opener leans more towards metal, it is “Every Man – Any Man” that showcases the band’s rock roots. This musical versatility, combined with a commitment to their roots, is what makes Armored Saint such an impressive example of passionate, quality music.

“Hit a Moonshot” is another roaring highlight of the album. The song, which is more rooted in metal, takes a baseball term and applies it to a broader context. A ‘moonshot’ is when someone hits an enormous home run out of the ballpark. The song is about people who break through whenever needed, and when you least expect it. This is ‘moonshot’, and what Armored Saint deliver with this song is another blistering example of their musical savvy.

With “Buckeye”, we delve into the more emotional side of Armored Saint. This emotive song has a slower pace. It is a heavily pounding track with very personal lyrics written by John Bush. Jeff Duncan’s slide guitar adds an extra dimension, showcasing the band’s remarkable versatility.

The second half of the album maintains the high quality of the opening tracks. There’s the groovy “It’s a Buzzkill” and the rousing “Throwing Caution to the Wind”. The latter is in a more old-school style and showcases a band that has always stuck to its beliefs, regardless of trends.

Gonzo’s drumbeat kicks off “Ladder and Slides” as we approach the end of “Emotion Factory Reset”. The throbbing “Bottom Feeder” and the finale “Epilogue” with its down-to-earth spirit bring the album to a close. This is one of the best albums ever released by Armored Saint.

“Emotion Factory Reset” is a fantastic example of a blistering blend of rock and metal with screaming guitars, a grooving rhythm section, and exquisite vocals. Armored Saint have once again raised the bar with their music. These five guys live and breathe metal, following their hearts. There aren’t many bands that develop their music, stick to their roots, and take things forward with such passion and dedication. These guys click, and that’s what enables them to knock the ball out of the ballpark with every new album.