Armored Saint Announces More Live Dates With W.A.S.P.

Posted on April 11, 2023 by philspicks

Fates Warning has announced the dates for the next leg of its tour with W.A.S.P.

The next leg of the bands’ tour is scheduled to launch Aug. 4 in San Luis Obispo, CA and to run through Sept. 16 in Los Angeles, CA. The nationwide tour features stops in cities, such as Philadelphia, PA; Warren, OH and Garden City, ID.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. local time Friday. Pre-sales through various sources start today. Details on pre-sales are noted below:

All presales for the tour run through Thursday, April 13th at 10:00pm local time:
Artist Presale: Tuesday, April 11th at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET
LN Presale: Wednesday, April 12th at 10:00am local time
ARMORED SAINT Presale: Wednesday, April 12th at 10:00am local time
Blabbermouth Presale: Thursday, April 13th at 7:00am PT/10:00am ET
BraveWords Presale: Thursday, April 13th at 7:00am PT/10:00am ET
TM Presale: Thursday, April 13th at 10:00am local time

The tour’s schedule is noted below:

ARMORED SAINT w/ W.A.S.P.:

8/04/2023 Fremont Theater – San Luis Obispo, CA

8/05/2023 Hard Rock Live – Wheatland, CA

8/07/2023 Roseland – Portland, OR

8/08/2023 Vogue Theater – Vancouver, BC

8/10/2023 Moore Theater – Seattle, WA

8/11/2023 Podium – Spokane, WA

8/12/2023 Revolution Concert Hall – Garden City, ID

8/13/2023 The Depot – Salt Lake City, UT

8/15/2023 Steelhouse – Omaha, NE

8/16/2023 The Fillmore Minneapolis – Minneapolis, MN

8/17/2023 The Rust Belt – Moline, IL

8/18/2023 RCU Theater – Eau Claire, WI

8/19/2023 Horizon Events Center – Clive, IA

8/20/2023 Hard Rock Live – Gary, IN

8/22/2023 GLC Live @ 20 Monroe – Grand Rapids, MI

8/23/2023 Egyptian Room – Indianapolis, IN

8/24/2023 Capitol Theater – Wheeling, WV

8/25/2023 Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA

8/26/2023 Hammerstein Ballroom – New York, NY

8/27/2023 Hampton Beach Casino – Hampton, NH

8/29/2023 Dome @ Oakdale – Wallingford, CT

8/30/2023 The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA

8/31/2023 Packard Music Hall – Warren, OH

9/01/2023 Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, ON

9/03/2023 Mtellus – Montreal, QC

9/05/2023 Andrew J Brady Music Center – Cincinnati, OH

9/07/2023 Graceland – Memphis, TN

9/08/2023 The Hall – Little Rock, AR

9/09/2023 Southside Ballroom – Dallas, TX

9/10/2023 Criterion – Oklahoma City, OK

9/13/2023 Rialto Theater – Tucson, AZ

9/14/2023 House Of Blues – San Diego, CA

9/16/2023 The Palladium – Los Angeles, CA

The previous leg of the bands’ tour ran from Oct. 29 to Dec. 9. Armored Saint’s run with W.A.S.P. is in support of W.A.S.P.’s “40 Years Live World Tour.”

Armored Saint released its latest record, its new live recording, Symbol of Salvation Live in November through Metal Blade Records.

More information on Armored Saint’s live dates with W.A.S.P. and Symbol of Salvation Live is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.armoredsaint.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thearmoredsaint

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thearmoredsaint

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Metal Blade Founder Releasing New Book

Posted on March 5, 2023 by philspicks

Metal Blade Records Founder Brian Slagel is set to release his new book, Swing of the Blade: More Stories From Metal Blade Records this spring through BMG Books.

The follow-up to his 2017 memoir, For The Sake Of Heaviness, the new, 192-page book continues the story in its predecessor, telling the story of how Slagel’s love of metal music helped him found the label and his experiences with bands that have called and continue to call Metal Blade Records home, as well as others. Among the bands discussed in the new book are the likes of Armored Saint, Metallica, and King Diamond.

The book’s forward was authored by Slayer guitarist Kerry King. King inducted Metal Blade Records into the Hall of Heavy Metal History in 2017.

Along with being available in a paperback pressing, Swing of the Blade: Stories from Metal Blade Records will also release in a box set presentation that includes a cassette tape featuring songs from many of the bands discussed in the book. That list includes the likes of Fates Warning, Unearth, and Amon Amarth. Pre-orders for the box set are open here.

More information on Slagel’s new book is available along with all of Metal Blade Records’ latest news at:

Website: https://www.metalblade.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/metalbladerecords

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetalBlade

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Michael Schenker Group Premieres ‘Under Attack’ Lyric Video

Posted on May 29, 2022 by philspicks

Michael Schenker Group debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band unveiled the lyric video for its new single, ‘Under Attack’ Friday, the same day that the band released its new album, Universal. The song’s musical arrangement is a solid composition that expertly blends elements of vintage rock and hard rock with a modern leaning for a whole that will certainly keep audiences engaged and entertained.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme. In listening to the song’s lyrics and reading them on screen, one is left to assume it is about an alien attack, of all things. At the same time, that approach could well also be an allegory of sorts about the conflict constantly going on in the world, hinting that there are greater things to worry about and that because of that, we need to stop fighting. That is all just this critic’s interpretation.

The lyric video for ‘Under Attack’ features the song’s lyrics on what is meant to look like a video display on an alien spacecraft. Various alien spaceships are also presented as part of the whole.

‘Under Attack’ is the third single from Universal. The record also produced the singles, ‘Emergency‘ and ‘A King Has Gone.’ The latter of the songs featured a guest appearance by Helloween front man Michael Kiske.

Michael Schenker Group announced last month, a tour in support of Universal is scheduled to launch Sept. 27 in San Juan Capistrano, CA. The tour is scheduled to run through Nov. 6 in Tulsa, OK and to feature performances in cities, such as Milwaukee, WI; Cincinnati, OH and Ft. Wayne, IN.

The tour’s schedule is noted below.

MSG US Tour 2022 w/ Eric Martin, Images Of Eden:

9/27/2022 The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA

9/28/2022 Goldfield Trading Post – Roseville, CA

9/29/2022 Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA

10/01/2022 Saban Theater – Los Angeles, CA

10/02/2022 Count’s Vamp’d – Las Vegas, NV

10/04/2022 Oriental Theater – Denver, CO

10/06/2022 Pop’s – Sauget, IL

10/07/2022 Des Plaines Theater – Des Plaines, IL

10/08/2022 Arcada Theater – St. Charles, IL

10/09/2022 Pabst Theater – Milwaukee, WI

10/11/2022 The Art Theater – Hobart, IN

10/12/2022 Piere’s – Ft. Wayne, IN

10/14/2022 The King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH

10/15/2022 Agora Theater – Cleveland, OH

10/16/2022 Harpo’s – Detroit, MI

10/17/2022 Jergels – Pittsburgh, PA

10/19/2022 The Vault – New Bedford, MA * MSG only

10/20/2022 Flying Monkey – Plymouth, NH

10/21/2022 Cabot Theater – Beverly, MA

10/22/2022 Sony Hall – New York, NY

10/23/2022 Newton Theater – Newton, NJ

10/25/2022 Keswick Theater – Glenside, PA

10/26/2022 Tally Ho – Leesburg, VA

10/27/2022 Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA

w/ Damon Johnson & The Get Ready, Images Of Eden:

10/29/2022 Bogarts – Cincinnati, OH

10/30/2022 Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN

w/ W.A.S.P., Armored Saint:

11/02/2022 White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX

11/03/2022 Concrete Street Pavilion – Corpus Christi TX

11/04/2022 Eaton Arena – San Antonio, TX

11/05/2022 Amplified Live – Dallas, TX

11/06/2022 Tulsa Theater – Tulsa, OK

Universal came Friday, less than two years after the release of MSG’s latest album, Immortal, which was released last year through Nuclear Blast Records.

More information on MSG’s upcoming album release and tour is available along with all of Michael Schenker’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.michaelschenkerhimself.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelschenkerrocks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MW_Schenker

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Armored Saint Tapped To Join W.A.S.P. Tour This Fall

Posted on January 12, 2022 by philspicks

Armored Saint will join W.A.S.P. on tour this fall.

The band will serve as support for W.A.S.P.’s “40 Years Live World Tour” starting Oct. 29 in Anaheim, CA. The tour is scheduled to run through Dec. 9 in San Francisco, CA and will feature performances in cities, such as Detroit, MI; Atlanta, GA and San Antonio, TX.

The tour’s schedule is noted below. Tickets go on sale Friday.

ARMORED SAINT w/ W.A.S.P.:
10/29/2022 The Grove – Anaheim, CA
10/30/2022 Marquee Theater – Tempe, AZ
10/31/2022 Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM
11/02/2022 White Oak Music Hall – Houston TX w/ Michael Schenker
11/03/2022 Concrete Street Pavilion – Corpus Christi TX w/ Michael Schenker
11/04/2022 Eaton Arena – San Antonio, TX w/ Michael Schenker
11/05/2022 Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX w/ Michael Schenker
11/06/2022 Tulsa Theater – Tulsa, OK w/ Michael Schenker
11/09/2022 Pabst Theater – Milwaukee, WI
11/10/2022 Epic Event Center – Ashwaubenon, WI
11/11/2022 Harpo’s – Detroit, MI
11/12/2022 Agora Theater – Cleveland, OH
11/13/2022 Palace Theater – Pittsburgh, PA
11/16/2022 Big Night Live – Boston, MA
11/17/2022 Wellmont Theater – Montclair, NJ
11/18/2022 Paramount Theater – Huntington, NY
11/19/2022 Penn’s Peak Jim – Thorpe, PA
11/20/2022 Keswick Theater – Glenside, PA
11/23/2022 Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
11/25/2022 Buckhead Theater – Atlanta GA
11/26/2022 Plaza Live – Orlando FL
11/29/2022 Tally Ho Theater – Leesburg, VA
11/30/2022 The King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH
12/02/2022 Arcada Theater – St. Charles, IL
12/03/2022 Arcada Theater – St. Charles, IL
12/05/2022 Oriental Theater – Denver, CO
12/07/2022 Grand Sierra Theater – Reno, NV
12/09/2022 The Regency – San Francisco, CA

Armored Saint released its latest record, its new live recording, Symbol of Salvation Live in November through Metal Blade Records.

More information on Armored Saint’s live dates with W.A.S.P. and Symbol of Salvation Live is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.armoredsaint.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thearmoredsaint

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thearmoredsaint

‘Symbol of Salvation Live’ Is A Wonderful Tribute To One Of Armored Saint’s Most Important Albums

Posted on October 19, 2021 by philspicks

Armored Saint’s 1991 album, Symbol of Salvation was a pivotal moment in the band’s history. The band’s fourth album at the time of its release, it was also the first for the band on Metal Blade Records. This after the band had been dropped by its previous label, Chrysalis Records. The band had released its first three albums on that label. The album would also be the band’s last with the late Dave Prichard. Prichard died of leukemia in 1990, prior to the album’s release, leaving a clear hole in the band’s lineup and collective hearts. That gave the completion of the album a whole new meaning. It went on to be considered by audiences and critics alike “a turning point” for Armored Saint. As a matter of fact, it ended up being so important a part of the band’s catalog that it was re-issued in 2003 in an expanded package with interviews and music videos. Now Friday, the band will celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the album’s release with a live recording featuring the band performing the album in whole. It will come in the form of Symbol of Salvation Live through Metal Blade, fittingly. The recording stands out in part because of the approach taken to the concert, which will be discussed shortly. The band’s performance thereof is also of note and will be discussed a little later. The recording’s production rounds out its most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted is important to the whole of the presentation. All things considered, they make Symbol of Salvation Live one more of this year’s top new live recordings.

Armored Saint’s forthcoming live recording, Symbol of Salvation Live is an impressive new offering from the band. The group’s third full-length live recording (the first came in 1988 in Saints Will Conquer and the second in 2017 in the form of Carpe Noctum), this recording will appeal easily to the band’s established audiences and to hard rock audiences in general. The appeal comes in part through the fact that the concert is a celebration of that one album, Symbol of Salvation. Given, Armored Saint is hardly the first band to ever use a concert or tour to focus on one album, but that does not reduce the enjoyment by any means. Again, . Given, Armored Saint is hardly the first band to ever use a concert or tour to focus on one album, but that does not reduce the enjoyment by any means. Again, Symbol of Salvation is a key moment in the history of Armored Saint’s life. To that end, celebrating a record that was both a new birth for the band and a heavy emotional moment because of the loss of one of its own is fully justified. Not to mention that it was also a turning point stylistically for the band. If anything is interesting, it is the fact that the concert featured in the recording was held in 2018, three years prior to the 30^th anniversary of the album’s release. No explanation was ever given about that aspect by Metal Blade Records or the band. Regardless, having the entire, landmark album in one setting from both parties here is still enjoyable. It is one more way for audiences to celebrate the album and the band without worrying about COVID-19 and any restrictions caused therewith. Audiences can instead just enjoy the concert in the comfort and safety of their own homes regardless of which side they take on that discussion. It is just one part of what makes the recording, which barely tops the one-hour mark, a positive presentation. The band’s performance throughout the concert adds its own positive touch to the presentation.

The performance of Armored Saint’s band members throughout this performance is of note because those performances individually and collectively do their own part to immerse audiences in the show. Front man John Bush (who recently talked about being pursued by Metallica many years ago for a spot in their band) is the classic front man from beginning to end. Whether it is in the mid-song moments when he is interacting with the audience, or the moments when he leads the band (and audience) along in song, his power and swagger is fully evident. Drummer Gonzo Sandoval keeps time solidly through every high-energy performance, making sure each song keeps moving expertly from start to end. Guitarists Phil Sandoval and Jeff Duncan pair just as well together, creating a wonderful point/counterpoint that is exceptionally accented throughout by the work of bassist Joey Vera.

Speaking of Vera, he credited the audience with bringing out the best in the band in a recently released prepared statement.

“The vibe in the room was so great,” he said. “The fans made us feel so welcome, like we had come home for a celebration of sorts, and we all celebrated Symbol of Salvation. It gave me chills hearing people sing along to songs like ‘Burning Question,’ a song we never had played live before.”

In other words, Vera is saying that the band fed off of the audience’s energy. This is evident through each musician’s performance, too. The band gives back the energy given to it as a group by the audience. It gives the audience the full best of itself in each song’s performance, leaving no question that the performance overall is everything that audiences had hoped for from the band. This is just one more way in which the recording shines. The concert’s production rounds out its most important elements.

The production that went into the concert is important to examine because of the venue’s size. In watching the concert’s video, it is clear that the concert hall was somewhat intimate. It was hardly a stadium or arena. That means that the utmost attention had to be paid to the audio mix. Additionally, it meant that just as much attention had to be paid to the cameras. Even with the somewhat confined space, the cameras were still able to capture the concert, giving audiences the best seat in the house. The audio is expertly mixed. The result is that it really captures the venue’s size so well while also ensuring no one audio element outweighed the others. The aesthetic impact is positive in its own right. The black and white presentation is an artistic thing in the video, but it also plays into that aesthetic impact. It isn’t done in some overly artsy fashion to the point that it’s annoying. There is just something about the attention to this aspect that makes it feel like one big music video and concert in one in all of the best ways possible. On a related note, the cameras catch the concert in every positive angle, too. The editing that went into the post production plays with the camera work in that it makes sure each shot is just long enough to not leave audiences dizzied. Instead it works with the production from the cameras to fully capture the energy in the band’s performance and from the audience. The short and simple here is that the production puts the final stamp on this recording, ensuring in its own way that audiences will remain engaged and entertained throughout the concert. When the overall production is considered along with the band’s performance and the concert’s approach, the whole makes the recording in whole another wonderful new offering from Armored Saint.

Armored Saint’s forthcoming live recording, Symbol of Salvation Live is a strong new addition to this year’s field of new live recordings. It offers plenty for audiences to appreciate, beginning with the very approach taken to the performance. The performance celebrates the 30^th anniversary of the release of the band’s 1991 album, Symbol of Salvation. Yes, having originally been recorded in 2018, three years prior to the anniversary, it is still a great way to celebrate the anniversary. The band’s performance is solid from beginning to end. Each musician gives his all and then some. As Vera noted, that is due in part to the fact that the audience gave its all, too. The recording’s overall production ensures that the concert experience is just as enjoyable in its forthcoming home release. That is thanks to the expert work that went into the concert’s initial recording and post. It collectively gives audiences the best seat in the house. Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of the recording. All things considered, they make Symbol of Salvation Live one more of this year’s top new live recordings.

Symbol of Salvation Live is scheduled for release Friday through Metal Blade Records. More information on Symbol of Salvation Live is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.armoredsaint.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thearmoredsaint

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thearmoredsaint

Armored Saint Debuts Live ‘The Truth Always Hurts’ Clip

Posted on September 22, 2021 by philspicks

With the release of its new live recording, Symbol of Salvation Live one month away, Armored Saint debuted another clip from the recording this week.

The band premiered a live clip of its performance of ‘The Truth Always Hurts‘ Wednesday. The video is the second from the recording, following last month’s premiere of the live clip of ‘Symbol of Salvation.’

According to information provided about the recording, the concert featured in the recording was capture at a 2018 performance at New York City’s famed Gramercy Theater. The concert celebrated the 30th anniversary of the release of the band’s 1991 album by the same name. This even though the album was released in 1991.

Bassist Joey Vera offered the following comment about the concert.

“I felt like showing Symbol in another light was a great homage to the record itself. Also, having all the fans be there and part of that event is a way for us to say ‘Thank you!’ For, without them, we can’t do any of this in the first place.”

Added Vera about the concert, which was capture by a six-camera crew, “The vibe in the room was so great. The fans made us feel so welcome, like we had come home for a celebration of sorts, and we all celebrated Symbol of Salvation. It gave me chills hearing people sing along to songs like ‘Burning Question’, a song we never had played live before.”

The recording, which will come ahead of the band’s upcoming dates with Black Label Society and Prong, will release on a variety of platforms, all of which are noted below. The band’s noted run with BLS and Prong is scheduled to run from Dec. 27-31 along cities along the West Coast region.

– digipak-CD/DVD
– 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
– silver vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 500 copies)
– dusty rose pink marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 300 copies)
– silver / white corona vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 200 copies)
– crystal clear vinyl (US exclusive)
– red / black splatter vinyl (US exclusive)

The vinyl and digital release of Symbol of Salvation Live will feature an extra bonus. That bonus comes in the form of five previously unreleased demo tracks recorded during the sessions for Symbol of Salvation. Dave Prichard was part of those sessions.

The track listing for Symbol of Salvation Live is noted below.

Symbol of Salvation Live CD/DVD track-listing
1. Reign of Fire (Live)
2. Dropping Like Flies (Live)
3. Last Train Home (Live)
4. Tribal Dance (Live)
5. The Truth Always Hurts (Live)
6. Half Drawn Bridge (Live)
7. Another Day (Live)
8. Symbol of Salvation (Live)
9. Hanging Judge (Live)
10. Warzone (Live)
11. Burning Question (Live)
12. Tainted Past (Live)
13. Spineless (Live)
*additional bonus tracks on the digital/vinyl versions:
14. Nothing Between the Ears (1989 4-Track Demo)
15. Get Lost (1989 4-Track Demo)
16. Medieval Nightmares (1989 4-Track Demo)
17. People (1989 4-Track Demo)
18. Pirates (1989 4-Track Demo)
19. Symbol of Salvation (Live) [Radio Edit] **available digitally only!

More information on Symbol of Salvation Live is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.armoredsaint.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thearmoredsaint

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thearmoredsaint

Armored Saint Announces Details For New Live Recording

Posted on August 25, 2021 by philspicks

Armored Saint will release its new live recording this fall.

The band made the announcement through a news release distributed Wednesday. The document states that the new, forthcoming recording, Symbol of Salvation Live, is scheduled for release Oct. 22 through Metal Blade Records.

Bassist Joey Vera offered the following comment about the concert.

In anticipation of the coming release of Symbol of Salvation Live, the band has released a live clip of the band performing the album’s title track at the concert. The video is streaming here.

The track listing for Symbol of Salvation Live is noted below.

More information on Symbol of Salvation Live is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.armoredsaint.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thearmoredsaint

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thearmoredsaint

Armored Saint Announces Winter Dates With Black Label Society

Posted on July 24, 2021 by philspicks

Armored Saint is joining Black Label Society’s headlining tour.

The band made the announcement Tuesday through a news release distributed to the media. The band will join Prong as support for the newly announced dates, which are scheduled to run from Dec. 27 in Reno, NV to Dec. 31 Tempe, AZ.

Armored Saint’s upcoming live dates with Prong and Black Label Society are in support of the band’s latest album, Punching The Sky (2020).

Front man John Bush was upbeat as he talked about joining the tour.

“We’re super excited to finally be doing some dates in support of Punching the Sky!!,” he said. “Albeit a year and two months after it came out. What makes it even more exciting is to support Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society!! Let’s do it!!!!”

Armored Saint’s upcoming dates with Black Label Society and Prong are noted below.

“Doom Trooping over North America” tour dates
w/ Black Label Society, Armored Saint, Prong
Dec. 27, 2021 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brewhouse
Dec. 28, 2021 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Grand
Dec. 29, 2021 – Los Angeles, CA – Wiltern
Dec. 30, 2021 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Dec. 31, 2021 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee

Black Label Society announced the initial dates for its upcoming tour last month. The band’s tour is scheduled to launch Oct. 1 in Sacramento, CA and to run through Nov. 28 in Albuquerque, NM. The nearly two-month run features performances in cities, such as Asheville, NC; Dothan, AL and Houston, TX.

Prong and Obituary will share time as support for the tour, dubbed the “Doom Trooping Over North America Tour.” Tickets are available now. The tour’s schedule is noted below.

Oct. 01 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
Oct. 02 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater
Oct. 04 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
Oct. 05 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
Oct. 07 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Oct. 08 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
Oct. 12 – West Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
Oct. 13 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
Oct. 15 – Bowler, WI – Mohican North Star Gaming & Resort
Oct. 16 – Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Club Stage
Oct. 17 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues
Oct. 18 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
Oct. 19 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
Oct. 21 – Biloxi, MS – Hard Rock Live Hotel & Casino
Oct. 22 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theater
Oct. 23 – Dothan, AL – The Plant
Oct. 24 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House Of Blues
Oct. 26 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
Oct. 28 – Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall
Oct. 29 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
Oct. 30 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
Oct. 31 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
Nov. 02 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall
Nov. 04 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
Nov. 05 – Albany, NY – Empire Live
Nov. 06 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater
Nov. 07 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Nov. 09 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
Nov. 10 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
Nov. 11 – Rochester, NY – Main Street Armory
Nov. 13 – Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Kewadin Casino
Nov. 14 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
Nov. 15 – Cleveland, OH – House Of Blues
Nov. 16 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s Entertainment Center
Nov. 18 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
Nov. 19 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre
Nov. 20 – Grand Prairie, TX – Texas Trust CU Theatre
Nov. 21 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
Nov. 23 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theater
Nov. 24 – Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues
Nov. 26 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
Nov. 27 – Denver, CO – Summit Theater
Nov. 28 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater

More information on Punching The Sky is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.armoredsaint.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thearmoredsaint

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thearmoredsaint

Armored Saint’s New LP Is Enjoyable, But Has A Kink In Its Armor

Posted on October 22, 2020 by philspicks

Armored Saint is scheduled to release its next album Friday, but audiences will get to hear the album in full tonight, ahead of its release. The band made the announcement Wednesday through its official Facebook page. The stream is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m .ET through the band’s official YouTube and Twitch channels, and will feature the opportunity for audiences to chat with the band as the record streams. The 11-song record has already produced two successful singles, each of which proves in its own way, why audiences will enjoy the album. While the noted singles do paint a positive picture for Armored Saint’s new album, the record is sadly not a perfect presentation. Its overall pacing proves somewhat problematic. Thankfully that aspect is not enough to make the record a failure. The album’s production counters the noted concern. When this is considered along with the positive that is the overall musical arrangements, they make this record still a positive new offering from one of the greatest bands in the history of hard rock and metal.

Punching The Sky, the eighth album from veteran hard rock band Armored Saint is an interesting new offering from the band. It is a record that while enjoyable, is imperfect. Audiences will be glad to know that even with that in mind, the album boasts more positives than negatives, not the least of which is its musical arrangements. The arrangements that are featured in this album are solid hard rock arrangements from one to the next. Both of the singles that the record has produced serve clearly to support that statement. They are just some of the songs that serve that purpose, too. ‘My Jurisdiction,’ which comes early in the album’s run, stands on its own merits. The heavy, blues-based and guitar-driven arrangement here is so infectious and unlike anything else on the album. The early 90s hard rock influences are just as prominent throughout the work as are the more modern hard rock sounds. On another note (no pun intended) ‘Bark, No Bite,’ which comes late in the record’s run, is another standout addition to the album. The song is surefire favorite for any guitar rock purist. There are influences of the vintage guitar rock sounds of the 80s alongside some 70s rock influence. The result is an arrangement that is just as possible as a single as any of the album’s other entries. It is hardly the last of the songs that can be used to show the importance of the record’s arrangements. ‘Never You Fret,’ which closes out the album, is another powerful entry. The full, rich sound from the guitar, bass, and drums is a full-on modern hard rock style composition. Oddly enough, a close listen reveals a little bit of a jam band type of influence here, too. The whole of these influences makes the song in whole just as solid a closer for the album as ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’ is an opener. Now while the songs noted here join with the album’s singles and the rest of its works to clearly show the power of the record’s arrangements, the arrangements do bring about at least one notable concern, that being the album’s overall pacing.

Bassist Joey Vera said in a recent interview that the run times of the songs featured in Punching The Sky are shorter than those of the album’s predecessor, Win Hands Down. “I would have to say that this time, I was conscious about making the songs a little more to the point than the previous record,” he said. “As a result, most of the songs are a little shorter in length than they are on Win Hands Down (2015). ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’ being an exception at almost seven minutes!” Even with the shorter run times, the songs still suffer somewhat from a concern of pacing. ‘Lone Wolf’ for example clocks in at just under four-and-a-half minutes (4:19 to be exact), but even at that time, there is something about the band’s approach here that makes the song feel like it runs five minutes in length, if not longer. That is even with the song being a mid-tempo composition. ‘Unfair’ by comparison, feels extra long, too. Its run time is listed at four minutes, four seconds. However, the slow, brooding nature in the song’s arrangement makes that run time feel stretched out even more. Much the same can be said of the album’s other entries. While the barely top the five-minute mark at their longest (with the exception of the one noted song from Vera), the songs each feel longer than they actually are. Maybe that is the result in how they were composed. Maybe it has to do with the songs’ energies. Maybe it is both. Regardless, this one aspect detracts from the record’s overall presentation. Luckily, the impact that this element has is not enough to make the album a failure. The record’s production couples with the songs to make up for that aspect of the songs’ pacing.

The production presented in Punching The Sky is positive in that it clearly take into account everything that goes on in each of the album’s songs and balances each arrangement expertly. Each song is loud and bombastic, save for ‘Unfair.’ The songs liken themselves to the best works of Judas Priest with their ferocity. That means that the guitars are full throttle and the bass and time keeping are just as strong in their own right. The vocals offer their own impact along with the instrumentation of each song. Considering how much is going on in each of the songs, it would have been so easy for each part to overpower the other. Thankfully, those behind the glass did not allow that to happen. The guitars are right there with the vocals, and even just below, allowing the vocals to be understood just enough while also allowing the guitars to shine. At the same time, the harmonies created through the bass are just subtle enough but also just audible enough. Meanwhile the drums maintain each song’s heartbeat, keeping everybody together without overpowering any of the other parts. The result is a presentation that sounds just as good aesthetically as it does in terms of its overall presentation. When this is considered along with the album’s one negative point, the whole of Punching The Sky proves itself a strong, successful new offering from one of the most respected names in rock and metal.

Armored Saint’s new album Punching The Sky is a positive new effort from the band. That is despite at least one noticeable kink it its own armor. The record’s arrangements are in themselves just as powerful as ever. They bring in influences from the 70s, 80s and even 90s for a whole presentation that will appeal to longtime audiences and those less familiar with the band and its catalog. The production of those arrangements adds even more appeal to the record. That is because it led to the band members’ respective parts balancing out expertly from beginning to end. These two elements together make up at least to a point for the record’s one negative, its overall pacing. The pacing is worth noting in that as powerful as the songs are and as good as they sound, they do generally feel longer than they actually are. Even with that in mind, the record is not a failure. Rather, it is a work that is still worth hearing occasionally. It will certainly still have listeners punching their fists to the sky when they do take it in. Punching The Sky is scheduled for release Friday.

More information on Punching The Sky is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.armoredsaint.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thearmoredsaint

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thearmoredsaint

Armored Saint Debuts ‘Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants’ Video

Posted on September 16, 2020 by philspicks

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

Armored Saint debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants‘ Wednesday. The song and its video are the second from the band’s forthcoming album Punching The Sky, which is scheduled for release Oct. 23 through Metal Blade Records. The band debuted the song’s lead single ‘End of the Attention Span’ and its companion video last month.

The video was directed and produced by Costin Chioreanu for Twilight 13 Media. It features silhouettes of the band as it performs its new single coupled with a vehicle passing power lines and lamposts. Robert Graves directed the video for A Shadow Beyond.

The footage of the forests and mountains that is also featured as part of the video was shot by a drone shot by Miluta Flueras. The band performance was shot by Vince Edwards. Additional credit for the video’s creation goes to Dan Marinescu.

The musical arrangement featured in Armored Saint’s new single presents a driving, modern rock sound and style while its lyrical content comes across as presenting a message of determination and perseverance. That is especially inferred as front man John Bush sings in the song’s chorus, “As I grow older/I lift this boulder/With strength I chip it away/Standing on the shoulders of giants/Punching the sky every day/As life gets colder/Flames they smolder/Climb so I can survey/Standing on the shoulders of giants/Punching the sky every day.”

Pre-orders are open for Punching The Sky. It will release through a variety of platforms, which are noted below along with the album’s track listing.

– digipak-CD
– ltd. digibook-CD/DVD (incl. 3 bonus tracks)
– 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
– clear purple / white marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 500 copies)
– dark violet marbled vinyl w/ 7″ & patch (Kings Road exclusive – limited to 300 copies)
– signal orange marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 200 copies)
– white w/ purple & red splatter vinyl (EMP exclusive – limited to 200 copies)
– purple / red melt vinyl (Kings Road exclusive – limited to 100 copies)
– deep purple marbled vinyl (US exclusive)
– lavender marbled vinyl w/ 7″ & patch (US exclusive)

Punching The Sky track-listing
1. Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
2. End of the Attention Span
3. Bubble
4. My Jurisdiction
5. Do Wrong to None
6. Lone Wolf
7. Missile to Gun
8. Fly in the Ointment
9. Bark, No Bite
10. Unfair
11. Never You Fret

Armored Saint will celebrate the release of its new album next month live online.

The band recently announced it will celebrate the release of its new album Punching The Sky at 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 10. The ticketed event will broadcast live from Hollywood, CA’s famed Whisky A Go Go through the band’s official Facebook page.

The band had the following to say about the upcoming concert in a prepared statement:

“We are very excited about our new record Punching The Sky, and we’d be pleased if you’d join us in this virtual show to help celebrate the release date. In these strange times where none of us can go to see live music anymore, this is the closest thing we can do about that. We will be on stage, cranking it out as we always do. We will certainly be missing seeing all of you in the venue, but we hope you’ll Rock Out with us in the comfort of your own homes!”

The ticket prices come at three separate levels, one including a signed copy of the band’s new album, another a CD and t-shirt, and the other just the t-shirt with the concert stream. The information on the three levels is noted below. Ticket purchases will allow audiences to view the concert until Nov. 9.

–ticket plus signed CD of Punching the Sky [$30 (USA only)]
–ticket plus exclusive event tee and signed CD [$65 (USA only)]
–ticket plus exclusive event tee [$55 (USA shipping), $65.00 (Europe shipping)]

Punching The Sky‘s release will come more than five years after the release of the band’s then latest album, Win Hands Down and more than three years after the release of the band’s then latest live recording Carpe Noctum.

More information on Punching The Sky is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.armoredsaint.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thearmoredsaint

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thearmoredsaint

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