12 songs / 62 minutes
Metal Blade
- 9 -
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'March Of The Saint' and 'Raising Fear' are still two of the most important heavy metal albums
of all times, and although these East Coast metalheads never were more than underdogs, their
hard but yet melodic style influenced hundreds of young metal bands. It has been 9 years since
the last Armored Saint album saw
the light of day. After 'Symbol Of Slavation', singer John Bush
left for Anthrax, bassist Joey Vera was more than busy by releasing a solo album and being a
member of Fates Warning and lately also Engine. Guitar player Jeff Duncan had been playing with
his brothers in the local LA band DC4. Now you may wonder why Armored Saint have been making this
reunion with exactly the same members as on the 'SoS'-CD. Often reunions are only made for the
money, but while listening to the comeback-album, I must say that I believe the official version
that they just felt it was time again for an Armored Saint album. 'Revelation' is quite a hard album
and can easily top the last 'SoS'-output which was great but maybe a bit too accessible, and although
everybody knows that 'Raising Fear' will never be reached again, 'Revelation' sounds like the missing
link between just those two CDs. Bush sings tighter than he ever did with Anthrax, and Vera can finally
play some real asskicking music again (let's be sincere, the last Fates Warning CDs were rather
boring). The most important thing about 'Revelation' are the songs though. Disappointed after a first
listening, I stayed patient and gave the CD two more chances until it made 'Boom!' in my head.
I was reminded of the fact that Armored Saint have always been a band of great tunes, and it's no
different this time. I suggest the band released 'Den Of Thieves' as a single, because it's a mellower
track with a haunting melody, and those who like it a bit tighter can listen to the rocking 'Tension'.
There's even a Spanish bonus track for the limited editions on vinyl and double-CD. 9 points for a
CD that shows that not every reunion has to be necessarily futile.
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