As the missing link between thrash and hard rock during the 80s, Armored Saint were nicknamed “the headbangingest band in LA”. They’re the group from which Anthrax prised John Bush after he turned down Metallica. On those grounds, this eighth album carries big expectations, and Punching The Sky matches such a billing. While the Bush roar remains unmistakable as ever, Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants, End Of The Attention Span and the riff-tastic Do Wrong To None are big, meaty, powerful, hook-laden and as rambunctious as any long- term fan will have hoped. Dizzy Reed from Guns N’ Roses adds some keyboard colour, though it’s a minor distraction amid tidal waves of guitar-driven raunch.
Armored Saint’s Punching The Sky: metal’s great nearly-men remain as exhilarating as ever
Veteran headbangers Armored Saint show the youngsters how it’s done on new album Punching The Sky
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