Anymore, does anybody expect a band such as Armored Saint, or any of the other long-standing stalwarts of the Metal scene, to actually turn in a “bad” album? The musicianship will always be of high quality, and more than likely even if the vocal is not what it was, a band of this sort will make necessary adjustments to their sound. So, will these bands turn in a “bad” album? No. But, they do run the risk of alienating fans by playing with formula.
This brings us to this release. Armored Saint has been around as long as I can remember. I remember reading Kerrang! and many other magazines in the early – mid 80s and seeing them in the ads. They are one of those bands that have always been there, it seems. They have been through enough that one can count on them for giving us quality, including well written songs and incredible musicianship.
Punching the Sky is no exception. The production is solid, the musicianship is at the top of the game, and the songs are all solid. For this release Armored Saint says that they have chosen to mine their history, and the hard rock/metal genres in general, for songs. The band kind of runs all over the map. While some bands of the 80s era are deciding to go into “tear your face off” mode and shooting for “return to form” releases now, Saint is still one thinking “what makes us, and how do we move forward.”
Kicking off with “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” we get a solid idea of the album. It’s still Armored Saint. This is Armored doing what they do well, hooks and energy and Bush’s voice remains very strong. The songs opens-up slowly, but eventually opens up into a good mid-pace track that hits solid, with a great chorus that steps up the pace.
They pick it up a little bit more with “End of the Attention Span” with a very nice driving guitar riff. At this point my hopes were climbing that this thing was going to deliver a pretty damn solid release. The chorus isn’t exactly my favorite with a matching vocal and guitar that always takes me out of a song. But the main riff and hooks are very tasty!
We do have some slower tracks, or tracks that fit that certain hard rock style. The mid-tempo sound that just holds this side of Metal. That sound that became so popular in the 90s and early 2000s, if I am placing a date. Songs that have that “groove rock” thing. Also deep, mellower serious beginning verses that build to a larger ending. Songs like “Bubble” (although it does have a pretty solid riff), “My Jurisdiction,” “Fly in the Ointment,” “Unfair” have never done much for me, no matter the band. This is a big reason bands like Alter-Bridge have always completely missed me. That admission might be more telling from me for how you feel about this album.
“Bark, No Bite” really got my attention. A total amalgamation of so many genres. Progressive rock touches, Metal, Hard Rock, 70s throw back in spots, a touch of psychedelic in aspects. It just grabs a little of everything and creates this cool song that will probably take a few listens to find all the different touches Saint throws into the mix.
The album ends with a track I am expecting that long time Armored Saint fans will consider the best. “Never You Fret,” to my ears, is classic Armored Saint. A good quick pace, crunchy, hook laden riffs, and just a nice “go for it” feel.
This is Armored Saint, if you love Armored Saint, you will be happy. For my ear, I am not hearing anything that absolutely blows my minds and hears a “career defining” release. Fans of the band will probably vary depending on the riffs. But, dipping back into their catalog (I admit, I was always familiar with their more well-known tracks, but I never got too into them back in the day), it is amazing how little they have actually changed. The band’s sound has remained remarkably consistent since the death of Dave Prichard in 1990. From Symbol of Salvation very little has changed, and very little continues to change. Again, how good that is for you, depends on where you stand with the band.
Stand-out tracks for me would be “Do Wrong To None,” “Bark, No Bite,” and “Never You Fret.”
7/10
TRACKLIST
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
End of the Attention Span
Bubble
My Jurisdiction
Do Wrong to None
Lone Wolf
Missile to Gun
Fly in the Ointment
Bark, No Bite
Unfair
Never You Fret
