SUMMARY
- Album Art: 5/5
- Musicianship: 7/10
- Vocal Quality: 8/10
- Vocal Uniqueness: 9/10
- Song Consistency: 6/10
- Song Writing Quality: 7/10
- Lyrics: 7/10
- Heaviness/Grit: 6/10
- Production Quality: 9/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 7.5/10
IN SHORT
ARMORED SAINT is one of metals grizzled veterans. Most of the group have been together for over 30 years, and they’ve certainly learned a thing or two in that time. Their eighth studio album, Punching the Sky, is an example of the band showing their wisdom. A wisdom they use to transform their sound to feel fresh and relevant in 2020. This may just be the biggest success of the entire album. Some long term fans will be thrown off by the infusion of more alternative rock moments, but this shift gives the album a renewed sense of energy throughout. One thing that hasn’t changed is John Bush’s vocals – he remains as strong a metal vocalist as there’s ever been. His voice has held up remarkably well over the years and continues to be ARMORED SAINT’s strongest asset. The musicianship on Punching the Sky is also as solid as it comes, but never feels like the band is stretching or pushing their skills to the test. Joey Vera and Gonzo Sandoval certainly make up a formidable backline but the music feels “safe”. In all, this album starts and ends strong. While some of the middle section bleeds together, the album is laden with riffs and includes enough inspired new material to keep ARMORED SAINT fans happy.
IN DEPTH
The album opens very softly and includes bagpipes and distortionless guitar. It certainly goes against my normal metal album expectations. The opening lends itself well to the rest of “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” because the entire track subverts expectations. The entire track is a softer, more progressive sound. It still contains a lot of the ARMORED SAINT elements you would expect – John’s soaring vocals and lots of riffing. But the entire track is a journey, more than a metal song. It is too long, just like it’s title, but has a lot of creative flavor to it. “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” is a track that requires several listens to fully embrace but it is the most ambitious track on the album and I credit the band for thinking outside the box.
“End of the Attention Span” is up next. This was the first single on the album and is a true ARMORED SAINT heavy metal song. The track has it all: heavy riffs, melodies, and is even a social commentary on the uses of technology (aka phones) in today’s culture. Admittedly, I laugh at the ‘hey-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn’ attitude, but it is still a good track. It is one I imagine will be in the group’s live rotation for years to come.
Track number three is “Bubble”, a song with an uplifting attitude and even some Pop elements (pun intended). The chorus is especially light, airy, and catchy – almost VAN HALEN like – but it’s also forgettable. The verse and bridge are the standout moments on “Bubble” but it does not entirely succeed in fusing multiple genres.
Tracks four through six is where the album hits it’s biggest speed bumps. “My Jurisdiction” has a nice groove to it but doesn’t particularly stand out and is a clear step-down in creativity. The intro of “Do Wrong to None” is almost identical to “Tribal Dance” from Symbol of Salvation – compare them and tell me where I’m wrong! The track does have its share of moments; from the guitar harmonies to the blazing chorus. However, it has an ill-fitting pre-chorus that throws me off. It just does not mesh with the rest of the track and keeps “Do Wrong to None” in the good category, when it could have been awesome. Finally, “Lone Wolf” is a basic song structure with straight-forward riffing, irksome lyrics and is ultimately forgettable. Best to move on from that track quickly.
“Missle to Gun”, the album’s seventh track, is where the album begins to hit its stride. The song is like a blast from the past! Listening to it evokes memories of March of the Saint (for context, March of the Saint was ARMORED SAINT’s debut album, released in 1984). It is a fun track and a great example of relaying energy through music. John Bush is just spitting attitude here, and it would be tons of fun to see live.
“Fly in the Ointment” shifts the tone from “Missle to Gun”. This track is more alt rock and less in-your-face. The greatest compliment I can give to “Fly in the Ointment” is that it has great flow to it. The entire track moves seamlessly from section to section. We even get a little keyboard action, which is unusual for ARMORED SAINT but a nice complement to the rest of the song. It isn’t your average metal song, but it is great music.
I never expected to compare ARMORED SAINT to GHOST, but the intro of “Bark, No Bite” has an undeniable GHOST/’70s vibe. In fact, the entire track has a groovy ‘70s vibe to it. Joey Vera’s walking bass lines add to the effect. It’s a fun change of pace from the rest of the album. The track really hits its stride in the chorus – it’s simple, yet effective; heavy, yet catchy. “Bark, No Bite” doesn’t stand up against the greatest ARMORED SAINT songs, but is fun nonetheless.
The complete opposite is track ten, “Unfair”. Years from now, it would not surprise me if “Unfair” was considered ARMORED SAINT’s greatest song. It is easily the strongest (yet softest) on Punching the Sky. It is radio-friendly, yet memorable, ear-wormy, and the best showcase of John Bush’s vocals. There is a big Alice in Chains vibe here, and it is incorporated perfectly. I also wonder if the band took some influence from Bush’s time with ANTHRAX here? Regardless, this deserves to get regular radio play for the next decade plus.
The album shifts gears again on its final track. ARMORED SAINT is not about to let the album go out quietly. Instead, they ramp the energy back up with the thumping “Never You Fret”. It is my personal favorite song from Punching the Sky and is also the best showcase of musicianship – particularly during the solos. “Never You Fret” ends the album on a high note. It belongs on your music playlist and is a great track for when you need a boost of energy.
CONCLUSION
Punching the Sky is an ambitious, if inconsistent, outing from metal veterans ARMORED SAINT. The band successfully incorporates a more alternative sound to their music and it works most of the time. However, while the band stretches their sound, they play it pretty safe musically. The middle section of the album falls flat but it begins and ends with a string of very strong tracks – including one of their greatest ever. Ultimately, most ARMORED SAINT fans will be pleased with this outing and it should grab the attention of some outsiders as well.
HIGHLIGHTS
“End of the Attention Span”, “Missle to Gun”, “Unfair”, “Never You Fret”
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