Even
though it feels like Armored Saint has been around forever, this is only
their 6th album and they have after all, in some kind of form, been around since 1982. The
three albums from the mid-eighties still stand out as some the best composed
pure metal and even disaster couldn't stop them and "Symbol of Revelation" from
1991 was equally strong. Nine more years passed before Armored Saint
delivered another fine piece of metal, "Revelation" and now ten more years have
passed and it is time for "La Raza".
"La Raza"
is pure old school heavy metal and the result is ten great metal songs that all
benefit immensely from the excellent production; well balanced, warm, crystal clear
and analogue, you can
almost see the tubes glowing in the back, without the sound being outdated at
all - this is done the old fashion way, all the way. And Armored Saint
stays true to all the virtues and trademarks that make this band so unique and
they sound as authentic as they did in their early days.
Ten
brilliant and traditional Saint compositions, John Bush delivering another first
class performance and a nice analogue sound, what more can you ask for? Nothing
if you ask me... and the
answer to their own question "Can U Deliver?" is a big and powerful yes
(they can)!
