Armored Saint – La Raza

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Over a year in the making, La Raza is the first proper Armored Saint album for a decade after Revelation in 2000, and features again the same line-up, who also recorded their last album before disbanding in 1991. Initially La Raza seems to be an ordinary melodic metal album in the same vein as most of Armored Saint’s previous work. And for two songs that remains true. Loose Cannon and Head On are average Armored Saint songs. No more, no less. But they break out of that mold quickly, with a heavy Left Hook From Right Field, bluesy Chilled and Extreme-grooving title track. Punk attempt Little Monkey is a low point, but other strong tracks like Blues (not bluesy) and Get Off The Fence (which is reminiscent of Monkey Chow by Slash’s Snakepit) take up the slack. The most striking thing about the record is just how good John Bush’s performance is. Expanding on the straight-ahead metal vocalist approach there are elements of soul and blues in his voice on tracks like Black Feet, evoking perhaps Sammy Hagar, Paul Rodgers or Eric Dover without the rasp. Apart from the opening brace being a little too formulaic, and the moment of weakness with Little Monkey, La Raza is a mature and measured album with some of Armored Saint’s best songs to date.

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2010, Albums, Heavy Metal, Quick.Play Reviews, Armored Saint