The Time Machine – Armored Saint & La Raza
4 min read
(Editor’s Note: “The Time Machine” is a regular series where we look back at some of those hallmark artist and events that shaped us growing up and find out what they’re doing now and how they’re still impacting culture. Armored Saint helped shape the metal scene of the early 80s and have returned to put forth what many are calling their strongest effort since then. Thanks to Joey Vera for talking to us!)
When I was a young metal pre-teen in the early 80’s, things were a whole lot simpler. Were you into Hard Rock? Then Van Halen was your band. Were you into Metal? Then Ozzy was your guy. If you think about it, there were only a handful of really big acts that attracted the attention (and $6.99 per LP) of young music buyers. However, around 1983 the whole hard music scene started to get really interesting. Metal acts like Queensryche, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and a whole other slew of Sunset Strip bands (Motley Crue, Dokken, Ratt, Odin, etc…) were playing sold-out shows and making their impression upon a growing metal audience.
One of these bands was Los Angeles-based Armored Saint. Anyone who was into music videos in the early 80’s will remember the video “Can U Deliver?” featuring 5 dirty guys traveling through the wasteland, wearing steel armor and riding motorcycles ready to do battle. While they didn’t achieve multi-platinum success, to this young 12-year-old metalhead they were as fast as Metallica, as heavy as Judas Priest and every bit as cool as Iron Maiden.
So here we are in 2010, and after a 10-year haitus, they’ve released a thunderous collection of tunes titled La Raza (Metal Blade). From the orchestrated intro of “Loose Cannon” to the odd-time signature precision of the title track, to the complex bass-playing of “Black Feet”… it’s clear that there has been some serious growth both in the song-crafting and production of this new CD. The straight-up, in-your-face anthem “Left Hook From Right Field” mixes heavy riffs with a melodic vocal hook that will sit right at home with long-time fans and newcomers alike.
I recently asked founding member Joey Vera (Bassist and Producer) some questions about reuniting with Armored Saint and to see what else he’s been up to.
Circle Six Magazine: La Raza marks Armored Saint’s first studio release since year 2000’s Revelation. How did you guys come to reunite for this 2010 release?
Joey Vera: It started with John and I discussing the fact that we haven’t worked together in a long time. We started writing in early summer of 2008 and by the fall of 08 we decided we’d gotten into a creative groove. So we then turned our intentions into making a new Saint record.
C6M: The new record, while there’s no mistaking the classic Armored Saint sound, shows a lot of growth both in textures/melodies used and song structures. What were some of your goals in writing the music for new record?
JV: The main goal was to write good songs. We had to do this for us first, and not to be too concerned with any obligations we may have had in the past to our career. This record represents where we are as songwriters today. We don’t feel the need to impress anyone anymore; we just wanted to write good songs.
C6M: Let’s talk about the title of the new record, La Raza, which I’m assuming would be “The Race”… What’s the title track about?
JV: The title track is about the human race and what we’re doing to our planet.
C6M: What other music has an influence on you guys in 2010?
JV: Speaking only for myself, I’m listening to stuff like Opeth, Lewis Taylor, Porcupine Tree, Faith No More.
C6M: Are there any plans to tour this year?
JV: No. Maybe something by the end of the year, but nothing planned right now. (Editor’s Note: As of publication, there is a confirmed show at the House of Blues (Sunset Strip) on Friday, May 28, 2010.)
C6M: A few of you guys are pretty busy with other bands as well. What other projects are you, Jeff (guitar) and John (vocals) working on in 2010?
JV: I’m still involved with Fates Warning and we’re supposed to record a new record in the coming months. Jeff has a band called DC4. John does voice over work and one of his main clients is Burger King.
C6M: Where do you see Armored Saint going forward? Was the new record a one-off reunion release or could you see releasing more music in the future?
JV: I really don’t know. We don’t make those kind of plans. It takes us a lot of effort to make a record so now we’ll just see what comes up. We have no plans to continue in the normal fashion, of attempting to further our careers.
Thanks to Joey for taking the time to sit down and answer some of my questions! La Raza was released in physical formats and in the iTunes Music Store on March 16th, 2010. While the Metal crowd has had a lot of great things to say about this record, I truly think it has a lot to offer in terms of solid rock songwriting in 2010. Check them out at your favorite social networking site (Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc) or at armoredsaint.com.
