Artist: Armored Saint
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: 3/7/00
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Title: Revelation Artist: Armored Saint Label: Metal Blade Release Date: 3/7/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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3 | ||
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3 | ||
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5 | ||
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
Here we have the return of John Bush to his original band, Armored Saint, during a time when reunions and reformations seem to be all the rage. Bruce is back with Maiden, Joey was going to re-join Anthrax, Rampage is back with Annihilator, and the list goes on. So, it would only seem natural for the new singer of Anthrax to put out a record with his old band, and see what the reaction is. While I can't deny that I've never been an Armored Saint fan, I never have had anything against them either. They are a band that encompasses all that is metal, both the good and the bad. Even the most avid fan cannot look back and deny embarrassing decisions both musically and visually, and even the most stringent critic couldn't ignore the fact that, despite personal tastes, there is some good metal in the Saint's catalogue. So the big question is where does Revelation fit in to all of this? For me it fits in with the rest of Armored Saint, nothing all that wrong with it, but it doesn't grab my attention either. Armored Saint, to me, is that band that your friend plays for you and points out all of the reasons it's good, and you kind of nod and agree, but once he leaves you put something else in. Revelation doesn't change my opinion. I could go down the track listing and pick out the good parts of the album. I like the songs "Control Issues," "Den of Thieves," and "Deep Rooted Anger," but none of them blow me away. Not to sound too harsh, but these are just the best songs on an album that hits me as bland. Almost like it's a release of songs that didn't quite make the album. Now while I make no bones about the fact that I'm no expert on the subject, this album doesn't seem too far removed from the Saint we heard in the eighties, and while I realize we all bitch and moan when a band changes its sound, there must be a constant evolution going on or fans will get bored. Unfortunately, that's really all I have to say. I assume long time fans will be very happy with this release because... well, because long time fans are pretty much happy with anything that's released (I mean there are some long time Megadeth fans out there that actually defended Risk) but I don't think this is fresh enough to break down any barriers, meaning if you didn't dig Armored Saint before, you didn't care about this reunion anyway.
"Not to sound too harsh, but these are just the best songs on an album that hits me as bland. Almost like it's a release of songs that didn't quite make the album."
Death's Review:
Why not get right to the point and lead with this album's most important and descriptive fact? It sounds exactly like you'd expect it to sound. This is undoubtedly an Armored Saint record. The integrity and immediacy with which Revelation is performed keeps that absolutism from turning into a negative. The moment Saint fans have been waiting for has arrived, and it's not a disappointment.
This is a heavy metal record. Not black metal, death metal, power metal or thrash. Heavy metal. Like the days when seventies bands like Priest or the Scorps were reformulating for phase two of their careers while the NWOBHM craze was losing momentum, and bands like Accept, W.A.S.P., Manowar and Grim Reaper were all the rage. Classic post-British Steel metal, with reasonably catchy songwriting, guitar solos and power chord riffs. Accented, of course, with the polished and professional execution of thoroughly modern musicianship. Joey Vera has done an amazing job of recreating the Armored Saint aesthetic. The songwriting, warm guitar sound and classic production are all present and accounted for on Revelation notwithstanding the fact it's been nine years since Armored Saint last released an album.
"Why not get right to the point and lead with this album's most important and descriptive fact? It sounds exactly like you'd expect it to sound." Any fan of John Bush's vocals from the three records he's done with Anthrax will immediately recognize and appreciate his vocal work here. While the underlying songwriting deviates from the hypnotically drum-led, rhythmic grind of Anthrax to the more traditional sounding, guitar base of Armored Saint, Bush nevertheless gives his usual first-rate performance. Of particular note for fans of some of Mr. Bush's other past work are the Anthraxian (think perhaps "Fueled") "Control Issues" and the Spanish- sung "No Me Digas," two of the album's three best tracks (the other being "Deep Rooted Anger," which, along with the other two, appear on the album as tracks 8, 9 and 10, respectively) which form the essence of Revelation.
"Control Issues" is a spirited and downtuned, midtempoed rocker which could have easily fit on Volume 8: The Threat is Real. However it's incredibly catchy primary riff has a character like the main one from Metallica's cover of "Breadfan," and its absolutely perfect pentatonic-scale guitar soloing makes you want to just get out on the highway and drive really, really fast. "No Me Digas" is one of the album's darker and more mysterious moments, with perhaps Bush's most intensely articulated vocal delivery. The absence, for the most part, of any ballads or clean guitar moments from Revelation deprive the band of some of their past dramatics, a sin for which the dynamic nature of "No Me Digas" makes substantial restitution. "Deep Rooted Anger" is hands down the record's heaviest and catchiest song all at once.
"This is a great release from a classic artist. Armored Saint deserve your money with this one, not only because of what they were but for what they still are and can be." Other songs have their moments as well. The opener, "Pay Dirt," kicks some ass and is subtly catchy, having a surprising tendency to stick in your mind in between your first few listens. "The Pillar," which follows, ends on a killer guitar solo-infested jam. The single, "After Me, The Flood" displays some musically progressive elements and a great outro guitar harmony jam. "Upon My Departure" ends the record on a high note, but unfortunately only hints at the drama it might have achieved. Other songs leave less of an impression.
This is a great release from a classic artist. If you liked Armored Saint before, you should no doubt also like Revelation. Aside from the absence of any ballads and an ever-so-slight reduction in dramatic flair, the album ranks along side the band's past classics. Bottom line: Armored Saint deserve your money with this one, not only because of what they were but for what they still are and can be.
Rating Revised for Metal Judgment Anniversary
Hel's Review:
Damn, it's good to have another Armored Saint album! This is not some rehashed repackaged old time-y album that screams "they got back together to make money" (not much of that in this crowd anyway), but an updated, Armored Saint 2000 release.
I think that some, due to John Bush's voice alone, might try to draw undue comparisons to Anthrax. While I'll be the first one to admit, these bands certainly have some commonalities, most of it starts and ends with Bush. But I'm a big fan of his singing and am happy to appreciate his voice in another context again.
"Damn, it's good to have another Armored Saint album!" Namely, I'm happy to see that there is character and depth to the songs on this record. Quicksilver changes from one song to the next leave me thinking that the previous song was different for just a moment before being sucked into the next. If you'd like to try this at home, start with "Den of Theives" and play all the way through to "Deep Rooted Anger." In particular, I think "No Me Digas" shows off the talent of the band and their versatility.
It will have to suffice to say, this is a great album. If you ever liked Armored Saint, I'd be completely shocked to hear you say you don't like it. Love it, even. I, personally, love it. From beginning to end, slowest passage to fastest, this is a rockin' release.
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