Who would have thought that Armored Saint would strike back hard
with this 'Win Hands Down' after the for me bit disappointing 2010 album 'La
Raza'. The entire album sounds very fresh, open and the musicians play as if
they were some youngsters ready to conquer the world.
Armored Saint rule in writing songs with catchy melodies, nice guitar riffs
and always with a groovy rhythm. Joey Vera is responsible for the songwriting
and John Bush for the lyrics and melodies. Who else can do it better
than the man who needs to sing it? I always find it strange when someone else
than the singer writes the lyrics and melodies. John Bush has an unique
sound and although he is getting older, he still sings the same without any weak
moment.
Besides some real heavy songs, there are a few moments to relax a bit like in "Muscle
Memory" and "Dive". Perhaps this is the most heavy album the band wrote in their
career, just listen to the heavy riff in "That Was Then, Way Back When" or the
fast track "With a Head Full of Steam". With songs like "Win Hands Down" and "Up
Yours," the band delivers the blue print for how real heavy metal should sound
like. Heavy guitars, finger-licking solos and catchy refrains. For me this is an
album that can be put in between 'Delirious Nomad' and 'Symbol of Salvation'. I
still find it strange that a band with such quality albums never broke through
in the eighties like a lot of others did. Armored Saint show that it is still
possible to write a good album equal to the best in their anthology. Perhaps
Metallica should listen to it and learn...
If
you call yourself a heavy metal fan, you can't do without 'Win Hands Down'.
