Armored Saint, on tour with Queensrÿche, played the House of Blues in Anaheim Ca on March 27 to a packed crowd of fan excited to see them back performing live and brought the power house metal sounds that they have been long known for.
Stephen Day
While they were technically a support band for the headliner Queensrÿche, they provided a full set of songs spanning a large portion of their 40+ year history, opening the night with End of the Attention Span and moving through fan favorites for the next hour.
Stephen Day
John Bush, also known for fronting Anthrax during Armored Saint's hiatus, brought immense energy to the mic as he took control of the stage and got the crowd fired up. Bush was all over the stage throughout the set and interacting with the crowd and getting them fired up.
Stephen Day
Jeff Duncan, who has also played for Odin and DC4 as well as doing some solo projects, laid out the rifts flawlessly and jammed hard with the other members of the band.
Stephen Day
Joey Vera, bassist for Armored Saint has also played with other progressive metals bands such as Fates Warning and Chroma Key, and filled in for Anthrax's Frank Bello in their 2004 tour. He brought all that energy onto the stage as he moved from one side of the stage to the other getting right up to the fans and giving them the show they wanted.
Stephen Day
Phil Sandoval, co-founder of Armored Saint with his brother, and drummer for the band Gonzo Sandoval, didn't hold back as he shredded the guitar and whipped around the stage.
Armored Saint was a show worth seeing on its own and so we had to give them their own write up to do it justice. Despite releasing the critically praised album Symbol of Salvation in 1991, Armored Saint disbanded in 1992 following the death of guitarist Dave Prichard in 1990 and then John Bush accepting the role of lead vocalist for Anthrax. Most of the band went off to work on other projects with other bands, but in 1999, after Anthrax took a break, Bush and Joey Vera decided to get the band back together and after some tour appearances began working on a new album in 2013.
Stephen Day
The crowd at the House of Blues ate up the performance and there wasn't a dull moment in the entire set, and as a long time fan of Armored Saint, I am excited to the see the band back on the road and giving an amazing show to their fans that have stuck with them all the way.
