Interesting review of La Raza.

"What was SAINT thinking? Very much like JUDAS PRIEST's 'Nostradamus', this release does no justice to their loyal fan-base. Why do classic bands deter from what made them great? I'll never understand the answer to that question... ARMORED SAINT was a great 'sleeper' from the 80' metal scene and still has TONS of TALENT... This CD, while not awful, is not what one would expect from these guys. It's simply not metal... It sounds like they were sitting around coming up with off-the-wall ideas to record... "

I understand if you don't like it but to say it's not metal?

I've heard a lot of people say it wasn't metal.

Bronto said it was good. He's the biggest Armored Saint fan I know.

I am sure it will be good. And I'm sure it's metal.

It's metal. It's Armored Saint with a few parts different and maybe more groove in some songs then typical AS. I think Shawn's reveiw was spot on.

Definitely Metal...

I think I posted this somewhere else on this board but here's sleazeroxx take on it:

Quote :

It has been roughly nine years since the last Armored Saint album Nod To The Old School, but we finally have a follow up. The new album is La Raza, and once again at the helm handling the production is bassist Joey Vera. If you're expecting an all out metal assault with this album, you'll be disappointed. In my opinion La Raza picks right up where the band left off on Symbol Of Salvation.
As a rock record this album is king. The drums are pumping, the guitars are in your face and at the forefront, but the real MVP of this album is the mighty John Bush, who has never sounded better. In fact this album will make you wonder why he reunited with Anthrax. Armored Saint still has a lot of left in the tank and La Raza is evidence of this. I know I'm not alone when I say I'd love to see Armored Saint as a full-time band. Can you imagine? They'd be immovable.
Which brings us to this album, it's a solid 10 tracks with no filler. Each song could stand alone as an individual but when put together and sequenced the flow is impeccable. From the opener "Loose Cannon" to the album closer "Bandit Country" this CD is solid from beginning to end. La Raza is a tribute to three things; a band writing great songs, good musicianship, and chemistry -- all of which are found on this album in spades. The standouts tracks for me are "Loose Cannon," "Left Hood From Right Field," "Black Feet," and "Blues". La Raza is no frills and no gimmicks, just a great band knocking out some excellent tunes.
Nine years is a long time in between records, which leads me to this question. Can you imagine what a band like Armored Saint could have done with the time and budget allotted to an Axl Rose? The sky is the limit, for The Saint.

Actually makes me want this one.

I've heard people say the band was never metal in the first place and fit the 'hard rock' category.

I don't care, I like'em and I was about to order this one the other day but apparently it's on back order with many sites. I'll try again next paycheck.

TheNazgul wrote:

"What was SAINT thinking? Very much like JUDAS PRIEST's 'Nostradamus', this release does no justice to their loyal fan-base. Why do classic bands deter from what made them great? I'll never understand the answer to that question... ARMORED SAINT was a great 'sleeper' from the 80' metal scene and still has TONS of TALENT... This CD, while not awful, is not what one would expect from these guys. It's simply not metal... It sounds like they were sitting around coming up with off-the-wall ideas to record... "

I understand if you don't like it but to say it's not metal?

Heard the same thing elsewhere.

Quote :

It's official, Armored Saint are no longer metal.

Their latest sounds like Kiss/Whitesnake/Crue/Dokken style rock with a modern twist and hint of latin. Kind of sad for fans of the 80's classics .. but nonetheless a good rock album for those who can get past the past and appreciate such things.

Makes you wonder if these people ever heard Revelation.

Even if it isn't metal (which i doubt) it's probably still good "heavy rock".

Sorry, but "heavy rock" is metal.

Eyesore wrote:

Sorry, but "heavy rock" is metal.

Not necessarily... metal has a distinctive sound. Look at AIC, King's X and STP...
They have a heavy sound but don't really have that certain element that true metal is known for. There's a slight difference between bands like Sabbath (heavy rock) and Judas Priest (metal).

I don't mind when people call Sabbath metal because they were the (precursor) to bands like Judas Priest who defined the genre with a specific sound and look.

I'd say Sabbath is proto-metal heavy blues rock.

I can't wait to get this album. From what I've heard, I wouldn't call it metal. But it's mind blowing hard rock. I'm new to Armored Saint, so I might get March of the Saint and Symbol of Salvation first.

People don't know what heavy metal is anymore.

ultmetal wrote:

People don't know what heavy metal is anymore.

Take it up with Iommi... he has said more than once that he considers them hard rock.

If they never used the satanic/occult angle on the first record they would be pretty much like another Led Zeppelin. Iommi invented the metal riff... but overall they were a heavy blues rock band (in the beginning).

Hard Rock and Metal are very similar in a lot of ways but... there IS a slight difference that is somewhat noticeable or else there wouldn't be a thing called sub-genre's.

It's metal.

La Raza is metal. Good metal.

Armored Saint is Metal

Black Sabbath is METAL.


People need to stop moving the goalposts.

Black Coffee wrote:

La Raza is metal. Good metal.

Armored Saint is Metal

Black Sabbath is METAL.


People need to stop moving the goalposts.

Jethro Tull is METAL.

I think the album is fantastic. Instead of complaining, people should be happy to hear John Bush belting out the pipes again, it has been what 7 years or more since he last tracked a song?

The album is basically Bush and Vera's child and they brought on the AS buds to make the album in the studio. To me it is very much AS 30 years later. These guys made a great metal album, it is nothing bad at all. Shows pure talent with no fear of putting a few new twists in there. It is nice to get something different each album from any band, yet still be the same band, and that is what they did.

I could careless what Armored Saint or any other band I like for that matter is labeled, is the music good?

I honestly don't see how anyone, anywhere, could consider La Raza any less "Metal" than Delerious Nomad or Raising Fear...baffling.

I hope it is good. I am tired of being disappointed by new stuff from my fav bands from the classic years. I can list on one hand the new albums from old bands that I have listened to more than once [Helix, Whiplash, and Heathen come directly to mind. But not many beyond that.]

I wonder if the people writing the "not metal" reviews were even born when Delirious Nomad came out? Doubt it.

...and who really gives a flying sh1t what people call it?

Troublezone wrote:

Black Coffee wrote:

La Raza is metal. Good metal.

Armored Saint is Metal

Black Sabbath is METAL.


People need to stop moving the goalposts.

Jethro Tull is METAL.

You're on the Grammy voting committee?

S wrote:

I honestly don't see how anyone, anywhere, could consider La Raza
any less "Metal" than Delerious Nomad or Raising Fear...baffling.

Exactly.

detuned wrote:

...and who really gives a flying sh1t what people call it?

*raises hand while jumping up and down and saying "me, me!"*

manny wrote:

I could careless what Armored Saint or any other band I like for that matter is labeled, is the music good?

Well put. I've only heard one song off this (Left Hook from Right Field) and like it. A lot. I really need to be get this cd.