Armored Saint
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Founder | Felipe "Phil" Sandoval, Gonzalo "Gonzo" Sandoval, Dave Prichard, John Bush, Joey Vera |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | John Bush (lead vocals), Joey Vera (bass), Jeff Duncan (guitar), Gonzo Sandoval (drums), Phil Sandoval (guitar) |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, live recordings, compilation albums |
| Website | www |
Armored Saint is a heavy metal group originating from Los Angeles, established in 1982. Since 1990, its lineup has featured lead singer John Bush, bassist Joey Vera, guitarist Jeff Duncan, and the Sandoval siblings: Gonzo on drums and Phil on guitar. John Bush and Joey Vera have remained the band's enduring members throughout its history. To date, Armored Saint has produced eight studio albums, one EP, two live recordings, and a compilation album.
As a prominent figure within the Los Angeles heavy metal community, Armored Saint gained moderate acclaim during the 1980s with their 1983 self-titled EP and their first three full-length albums: March of the Saint (1984), Delirious Nomad (1985), and Raising Fear (1987). Prior to releasing their fourth studio effort, Symbol of Salvation (1991), the band encountered a period of inactivity caused by complications with their record label and the loss of original guitarist Dave Prichard to leukemia in 1990. The group disbanded after John Bush joined Anthrax in 1992 but reunited in 1999, continuing to tour and record thereafter.
Formation and early years (1982–1989)
Armored Saint was created in 1982 by brothers Felipe "Phil" Sandoval (guitar) and Gonzalo "Gonzo" Sandoval (drums), alongside guitarist Dave Prichard, vocalist John Bush, and bassist Joey Vera. Several members had previously played together in a high school ensemble named "Royal Decree." The band's name was inspired by the movie Excalibur. In 1983, Bush turned down an opportunity to audition as Metallica’s vocalist, opting to remain with Armored Saint.
The band recorded a five-track demo including "Lesson Well Learned," which appeared on the compilation Metal Massacre II. Three of these demo songs were included on their self-titled EP released through Metal Blade Records in 1983. The following year, they signed a deal with Chrysalis Records.
Their first album, March of the Saint (1984), featured the minor MTV hit "Can U Deliver?". During the sessions for their sophomore album, Delirious Nomad, Phil Sandoval departed from the group. Their third release, Raising Fear, was recorded as a quartet. In 1986, Joey Vera declined an invitation to join Metallica following bassist Cliff Burton's passing. Throughout the 1980s, Armored Saint extensively toured alongside major acts such as Judas Priest, Metallica, Aerosmith, Whitesnake, among others.
By the end of the decade, dissatisfaction with Chrysalis Records led them back to Metal Blade Records. After issuing their live album Saints Will Conquer, they added guitarist Jeff Duncan from L.A.’s Odin while Gonzo Sandoval temporarily left and was replaced by Eddie Livingston.
Dave Prichard’s passing, Symbol of Salvation release, and hiatus (1989–1998)
In 1989, while working on demos for their upcoming album, guitarist Dave Prichard was diagnosed with leukemia and succumbed to the illness on February 27, 1990, shortly before recording sessions for Symbol of Salvation. After a brief pause, the Sandoval brothers rejoined the band with Phil Sandoval stepping in to replace Prichard on guitar. Released in 1991, Symbol of Salvation received critical acclaim with standout tracks like "Reign of Fire" and "Last Train Home". The album paid tribute to Prichard by incorporating his solo from an early demo of "Tainted Past". The subsequent tour included opening slots for bands such as Suicidal Tendencies, Savatage, Scorpions, Wrathchild America, Sepultura, and Overkill.
In 1992, Armored Saint contributed the song "Hanging Judge" to the soundtrack of Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth and made a brief appearance in the film. Later that year, lead vocalist John Bush joined thrash metal band Anthrax, placing Armored Saint’s future in doubt. Despite attempts by the Sandoval brothers to find new members, the band officially dissolved.
Following the breakup, Joey Vera worked with groups such as Fates Warning and Lizzy Borden, released a solo album in 1994, and built a successful career as a producer and engineer. Meanwhile, the Sandoval brothers formed Life After Death, releasing a self-titled album on now-defunct labels Indivision and Rising Sun. Jeff Duncan established DC4 alongside his brothers and former Dio guitarist Rowan Robertson.
Reunion (1999–present)
During Anthrax's brief break in 1999, John Bush and Joey Vera reunited Armored Saint, bringing back the complete lineup from the Symbol of Salvation era. The following year, they unveiled Revelation, which included their inaugural Spanish-language track, "No Me Digas," co-composed by John Bush and Gonzo Sandoval. Subsequently, the band embarked on a club circuit, supporting acts such as Dio and Lynch Mob.
In 2001, Armored Saint released Nod to the Old School, a compilation featuring rare tracks, demos, outtakes from the Prichard period, alongside fresh material. Shortly after this release, Bush rejoined Anthrax, resulting in Armored Saint entering an indefinite hiatus.
Joey Vera temporarily filled in as bassist for Anthrax in 2004 while Bush was active with them. However, by early 2005, Anthrax’s original lineup had reunited, concluding Bush and Vera’s tenure with that band. This development reignited prospects for Armored Saint, leading to a one-off concert in 2005 followed by a tour the next year.
To celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2003, Metal Blade Records reissued a special three-CD edition of Symbol of Salvation, incorporating demos and interviews with band members. Additionally, the previously hard-to-find live video A Trip Thru Red Times was re-released.
Their sixth studio album, La Raza, was launched on March 16, 2010. On December 7, 2011, Armored Saint performed at Metallica’s 30th anniversary events held in San Francisco.
On February 11, 2013, Joey Vera revealed that work had commenced on their seventh studio album. Released on June 2, 2015, Win Hands Down entered the Billboard Top 200 at number 183 and surpassed the sales figures of La Raza. It also peaked at number 33 on Germany’s Top 100 albums chart.
Armored Saint issued Carpe Noctum on February 24, 2017—their first live album release in nearly three decades.
By March 2017, John Bush indicated that although some lyrical concepts were in place for a follow-up to Win Hands Down, formal songwriting had yet to begin. He stressed the importance of quality over haste but expressed a wish to deliver new material sooner rather than later.
On May 23, 2019, the band announced they were actively writing and demoing tracks for their eighth studio album. Recording sessions started in December of that year and mixing wrapped up by April 2020 with plans for a late-2020 release. The album titled Punching the Sky was released on October 23, 2020 and earned recognition as the 33rd-best metal album of that year by Metal Hammer.
In October 2020, Armored Saint shared a trailer for their documentary "Armored Saint: The Movie," featuring contributions from James Hetfield of Metallica and Scott Ian from Anthrax.
By July 2023, John Bush confirmed early-stage songwriting for their upcoming album. In January 2024, the band entered an undisclosed studio to record a cover of People!’s "One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)," which was subsequently released as a single in June. In April 2025, they announced intentions to commence recording their ninth studio album in May with a targeted release during spring 2026.
Band members
Current members
- John Bush – lead vocals (1982–present)
- Gonzo Sandoval – drums and backing vocals (1982–1989, 1990–present)
- Phil Sandoval – guitars (1982–1985, 1990–present)
- Joey Vera – bass guitar and backing vocals (1982–present)
- Jeff Duncan – guitars and backing vocals (1989–present)
Former members
- Mike Zaputil – bass guitar (1982)
- Mike Williams – bass guitar (1982)
- Dave Prichard – guitars and backing vocals (1982–1990; deceased)
- Eddie Livingston – drums (1989–1990)
- Alan Barlam – guitars (1989)
Timeline
Albums
The following list includes all studio albums unless otherwise indicated.
| Year | Album Title | Record Label | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Armored Saint EP | Metal Blade | EP containing three tracks |
| 1984 | March of the Saint | Chrysalis | |
| 1985 | Delirious Nomad | ||
| 1987 | Raising Fear | ||
| 1988 | Saints Will Conquer | Metal Blade | Live album release |
| 1991 | Symbol of Salvation | ||
| 2000 | Revelation | ||
| 2001 | Nod to the Old School | Compilation featuring new songs, rare tracks, demos, and live recordings | |
| 2010 | La Raza | ||
| 2015 | Win Hands Down | ||
| 2017 | Carpe Noctum | Live album recording | |
| 2020 | Punching the Sky | ||
| 2021 | Symbol of Salvation: Live | Complete live rendition of Symbol of Salvation album |
Other appearances
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Metal Massacre II | Metal Blade | "Lesson Well Learned" included in compilation album |
| 1985 | 'Crazed – An All Out Metal Assault' | JSI Records | "Can U Deliver" featured on metal compilation release |
| 1987 | 'Metal Blade Records 15th Anniversary Double CD' | Metal Blade | "Warzone" and "Lesson Well Learned" tracks featured on anniversary compilation |
| 1988 | 'The Decline of Western Civilization Part II' (soundtrack) | Capitol Records/I.R.S. | "You Can Run..." included in film soundtrack album |
| 1996 | 'Metalmeister' | Metal Blade | "Creepy Feelings" present on compilation record |
| 2018 | 'DC4' | HighVolMusic
John Bush provides co-lead vocals on "Baba O'Riley" |
Videos/DVDs
| Year | Title | Label | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 'A Trip Thru Red Times' | 'Chrysalis' | 'Unofficial live video; reissued by Metal Blade in 2003' |
| 1992 | 'Hellraiser III' | ||
| 2004 | 'Lessons NOT Well Learned 1991-2001' | 'Metal Blade' | |
| 2021 | 'Symbol of Salvation: Live' | 'Metal Blade' | 'Complete live video performance of Symbol of Salvation' |
External links
- Articles with short description
- Musical groups established in 1982
- Musical groups disestablished in 1992
- Musical groups reestablished in 1999
- Musical groups disestablished in 2003
- Musical groups reestablished in 2008
- Heavy metal musical groups from California
- Musical groups from Los Angeles
- Musical quintets from California
- 1982 establishments in California
- Chrysalis Records artists
- Metal Blade Records artists