Learning to Love Armored Saint

I've never had the chance to see Armored Saint in concert - but that will change this Friday when I see the band at Rocklahoma.

I'll be the first to admit I'm not a huge Armored Saint fan. They might be an L.A. based band, but they have a heavier sound that many of their Glam counterparts. This isn't to say Armored Saint is bad - just different. 

As we all know by now, the L.A. Metal scene in the 80s was a force to be reckoned with - after all, so many great bands made it to the top out of the sleazy L.A. clubs. I often wonder if there was any animosity between bands like Armored Saint and Warrant? There are plenty of interviews with a very young Metallica where Lars Ulrich continually says "We hate Motley Crue. We hate Poison. We hate those guys." I wonder if Armored Saint shared the same emotions?

Not that any of those old emotions matter these days. The bottom line is I do enjoy Armored Saint from time to time and from what everyone tells me, I'm in for quite a show come Friday.

I think it's interesting Armored Saint has connections to so many bands - and many of those acts are also playing Rocklahoma. Jeff Duncan plays guitars for Armored Saint...as well as for Odin and DC4. He's going to have quite the workout next weekend! Of course, singer John Bush even joined Anthrax for quite awhile. I know a few people were lobbying for Anthrax at Rocklahoma...

So, for the next few days I am going to buckle down and learn some Armored Saint songs in preparation for Rocklahoma. So far, the ones I like best are posted below. I know some of you (and Joe, this means you) are big Armored Saint fans - so if you have advice on a particular album I should hunt down, please let me know.

Here is "Can You Deliver"

Here's a live clip of the song "Madhouse." You can see people moshing, so I guess this proves that craze really did pre-date grunge.

Comments

[don]

can't say i understand the moshing comment. perhaps it was a stab at humor, sarcasm or something else? i'm sure all the people who moshed at punk, hardcore, etc shows in the 80s would echo this confusion? or is it just too late and i need to go to bed?

[Joe]

LOVE..LOVE..LOVE...ARMORED SAINT!!!..I met them back in 87 and they were super cool guys..I still have their autographs in my scrapbook...I'm glad I had the chance to meet dave Pritchard..may he rest in peace..he passed away few years after that from Leukemia...Allyson..You're going to love them..they rock..I have never read one article where Armored Saint put down any bands...They just didn't want to fit in with the other styles of L.A. at that time..Joey Vera (bassist) and Tommy Lee were friends and used to ride motorcycles together too...LONG LIVE THE SAINT!!!! =)

[Frank66]

Their best album is probably March Of The Saint.

My favorite songs (all albums) are:

March Of The Saint
Can U Deliver
Reign Of Fire
Tribal Dance
Nervous Man
Madhouse
Long Before I Die

[Christian]

I second Frank - Symbol of Salvation is a lost classic 80s metal album and Rein of Fire is a devastating song, I can't wait to hear it live.

[aXe mAn]

I am a pretty big Armored Saint fan...I love the glam bands, but I have been getting into them too. My favorite song by them is, "Reign Of Fire"! They also do a pretty cool cover of "Saturday Night Special"..check that out too.
I hope you have a great time at Rocklahoma Allyson!

[Joe]

Oh yes!!!!...Have a great time at Rocklahoma Allyson!!!!...I just met you shortly before you were going to last year's one..because I remember the reports you did daily..A year sure goes by fast doesn't it? haha..LOVE this site..Met a lot of great people here along with you..Thanks again!!!!! =)

[Monte]

Symbol of Salvation is a must own CD.

[Britt Harlow]

Yes! Symbol of Salvation is the one. As a fan of Glam first metal second my favorite AS song is "Last Train Home" and I think you'll like it too.