In a brand new interview with Metallic Kaoz, ARMORED SAINT singer John Bush spoke in regards to the progress of the recording classes for the band’s long-awaited ninth studio album, due subsequent yr by Metallic Blade Information. He stated (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “We’re getting into the combination mode. So we’re moving into the combination mode. Jay Ruston‘s gonna combine it. He did [2020’s] ‘Punching The Sky’ and [2015’s] ‘Win Palms Down’ and did a spectacular job. And we love Jay. I advised him, ‘Go, man. Simply go for it. Do not feel restricted by something. Simply go for it.’ And I can not wait to see what he comes out with, ‘trigger the tunes are superb and I actually consider within the songs. It is gonna be nice. It is gonna be a pleasant continuation of what ARMORED SAINT has finished over the past 10 years.”
As for a doable launch date for the brand new ARMORED SAINT album, John stated: “I believe we’re speaking someday to start with of April. That is the plan proper now. Metallic Blade does an amazing job of planning data and doing all of the preparation for it. They usually need a number of lead time to do the file appropriately, which we’re all in favor of. So, it looks as if a very long time away nonetheless, ‘trigger it is solely September and the file’s [due to be released in] April, in order that’s eight months from now. It feels like an eternity, however we have been busy and we received issues happening, after which ’26 can be a fairly busy yr and enjoying new tunes. And it is gonna be superior. I can not wait to attempt to play a few of these tunes dwell.”
Bush additionally seemingly dominated out the potential of ARMORED SAINT performing any of the band’s new songs dwell earlier than subsequent yr, explaining: “You can do no matter you need as a band, after all, however normally the label sort of frowns on enjoying new tunes earlier than the file’s launched, as a result of with YouTube and all the things, individuals received it, and it is, like, you do not wanna launch that till the precise file, or not less than the primary couple movies come out. I am certain we’ll make a pair movies, and definitely a pair songs can be singles that may come out previous to the precise file launch. So, realistically, I might say one thing like February, you may most likely hear a brand new ARMORED SAINT tune.”
Final month, Bush advised Chel Evah of Artwork Paparazza & Chel Shock Images that ARMORED SAINT recorded 11 songs for the upcoming LP. Referencing what can be a six-year hole between “Punching The Sky” and ARMORED SAINT‘s subsequent album, John stated: “It is a very long time coming, however I blame COVID, as a result of it pushed everybody again a bit bit, ‘trigger ‘Punching The Sky’ got here out in 2020. Plus we have toured rather a lot within the final couple years. So, to do some writing along side touring, it isn’t simple. Everybody aspires to put in writing on the highway, nevertheless it’s tough. However we’ve a bunch of nice tunes. We’re actually excited. The file sounds superior. And I am actual fired up and I can not wait to exit in ’26 and play a bunch of latest tunes.”
Bush beforehand talked about ARMORED SAINT‘s upcoming LP earlier in September in an interview with Pete Pardo of Sea Of Tranquility. He stated on the time: “We went out and toured rather a lot [in support of ‘Punching The Sky’]. So, we have been ready to try this, and did a few extra excursions, and we have been actually not planning on it. However getting on the market and enjoying was nice. And we really offered so many data and CDs on the highway, it was loopy. We really re-charted as a result of we offered so many data on the market. So, kudos to all of the fanbase who purchased data and CDs and shirts, after all. Nevertheless it sort of did push issues again a bit bit. We do not work that fast as it’s, fairly frankly, however I at all times stated it for years: the standard of the tunes is opposite to the quantity, as a result of that is the very fact for us. However the brand new file can be out subsequent yr. And I believe it is nice. It is gonna simply sort of construct on all the things we have been doing.”
Circling again to ARMORED SAINT‘s elevated touring exercise and the way it affected the making of the band’s new album, John stated: “We toured rather a lot. We really put out 4 movies on the final file. So we have been on the general public aspect perhaps greater than ever. And actually I say this and it is actually sort of the reality is ARMORED SAINT‘s most likely larger than we have ever been. Possibly there was a stretch in 1984 that we have been perhaps extra well-liked, however actually we’re most likely larger than we ever have been. So, we’re simply driving it. And the brand new file can be nice, and I believe individuals will dig it. And it actually sort of exhibits sophistication within the songwriting, and we actually consider in that. We attempt to sort of usher in all our completely different influences and kinds and use some completely different instrumentation and take possibilities with association a bit bit. And I am actually pleased with it. I believe the songwriting is simply — yeah, it is constructed on all the things we have finished. The origins of the band, our onerous rock heavy steel band, however we actually sort of really feel like we simply preserve pushing the boundaries. And it is at all times gonna sound like SAINT. And this one does too. However I do not know. That is my pitch. I imply, after all it comes all the way down to what the followers suppose.”
After Pardo famous that ARMORED SAINT‘s musical output has been remarkably “constant” over the group’s four-decade profession, Bush concurred. “When your band’s been round so long as we’ve, and that goes for all of the bands who’ve a four-decade profession, is that normally new music means the chance to go take a piss or go get a few beers,” he stated. “However I actually really feel like individuals actually suppose our final couple data have been nice. And I believe for us to maintain constructing on that and preserve writing new materials that sounds very legit, I believe is necessary. And never everyone can say that. Everyone sort of says it, however how a lot do you actually consider it? And I actually consider [it in our case]. I imply, once more, it comes all the way down to what the press and what the fanbase says, and so they’re those that make the ultimate choice, actually, on it. However on the finish of the day, they have been saying ARMORED SAINT‘s making actually nice, fashionable music, so I am stoked.”
On the finish of September, the band joined W.A.S.P. for a trio of U.Okay. exhibits earlier than returning to the States to help legendary guitarist Michael Schenker on his “My Years With UFO” U.S. tour. ARMORED SAINT is celebrating the fortieth anniversary of its second album, “Delirious Nomad”, with a five-song micro set of songs from the file all through the tour.
To additional commemorate the cornerstone file, the band is making out there a particular “Delirious Nomad” wrapped guitar from Dean Guitars. Every guitar is signed by the band.
Final November, ARMORED SAINT bassist Joey Vera advised Metallic Kaoz in regards to the musical and lyrical path of the band’s new materials: “Each file we have made has been a bit bit completely different than the one previous to it, and this one would be the similar case the place will probably be a bit completely different than ‘Punching’. However our primary factor is simply writing actually nice songs. We’re not so involved about attempting to outdo the final file or do nearly as good as it’s or do the identical factor. I at all times suppose that it is cool to only see the place you’re at that second. And these songs that we have written, similar to the final three or 4 data we have made, all of them symbolize a specific time and place for us. So this these batch of songs, they are a reflection of the place we’re at a time and place proper now. We’re in post-COVID, we’re coming again out of it, again into the world, and various things are influencing me personally than they have been in 2014 after I was writing for [2015’s] ‘Win Palms Down’. So all these issues are at play once more. I am attempting to take a couple of possibilities as properly on this, which we at all times attempt to perform a little bit.”
In June 2024, ARMORED SAINT launched a rendition of “One Chain (Do not Make No Jail)”. The traditional monitor was initially written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter and was first launched by PEOPLE in 1970. Extra covers embrace THE FOUR TOPS (1974),SANTANA (1978) and THE DOOBIE BROTHERS (1989).
“One Chain (Do not Make No Jail)” was produced by Vera, blended by Jay Ruston and mastered by Maor Applebaum.
ARMORED SAINT launched the “Image Of Salvation Dwell” CD/DVD in 2021 through Metallic Blade Information. The discharge got here in celebration of the seminal album’s thirtieth anniversary. “Image Of Salvation Dwell” was a mix dwell album and video of the band enjoying the album in its entirety at New York Metropolis’s famed Gramercy Theatre throughout its 2018 tour.
In July 2023, ARMORED SAINT was inducted into the Metallic Corridor Of Fame on the legendary Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.
In Might 2023, ARMORED SAINT‘s long-awaited documentary, Armored Saint: Band Of Brothers”, had its world premiere within the band’s hometown on the Concord Gold Theatre in Hollywood, California.
