EARLIER this week we had a trans-Atlantic chat with John Bush of Armored Saint on the day that their new live album, 'Carpe Noctum' landed. (review is here)
During the interview he spoke about the recording of the album, the mini-tour including the Belfast and Hammerfest shows, Pledge Music and the next steps for the veteran thrashers.
Armored Saint play Belfast on 21st March and then headline the opening night of HRH United Hammerfest.
Showing posts with label John Bush. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Bush. Show all posts
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Monday, February 13, 2017
ALBUM REVIEW: Armored Saint head down the live album route again with Carpe Noctrum
ARMORED Saint have been on something of a resurgence in recent years as those old enough to remember the 1980s thrash are joined with newer fans of the thrash heyday discovering that these older acts can still outdo many of the young pretenders.
At Bloodstock 2015 they wowed the audience with a tight set that energised an early afternoon crowd. With memories of the live album 'Saints Will Conquer' from 1988 it must have been with somewhat trepidation that the band decided to record their shows at Wacken 2015 and Ashaffenburg for posterity.
Released tomorrow (February 14th) 'Carpe Noctum; stands well with the '88 release, material from their two most recent releases standing strong with older material.
Indeed what is worth remarking upon is that 'Left Hook from Right Field', 'Mess' and 'Win Hands Down' sit well with older, so-called classic material such as 'Aftermath' and, of course 'March of the Saint' and 'Reign Of Fire'.
As an be expected from such a talented bunch of musos the playing is excellent: Gonzo still goes...well gonzo on his kit; Joey does what he does best laying a mean bass line; Jeff and Phil have the licks and riffs nailed on; and, John still has the pipes to carry all the songs.
But, most of all the feeling is that the band seem to have retained the passion for live performances, and each track resonates with that desire.
In this age of live DVD/CD/Blu-Ray packages what makes this somewhat retro - in a good way - is that it is a simple straightforward live album: something worth cherishing.
Review by Jonathan Traynor
Armored Saint play Voodoo Lounge, Dublin on March 20th, Belfast's Limelight the next night; HRH Hammerfest on March 23rd as well as selected UK and German dates before heading back to the US for a night in Chicago.
At Bloodstock 2015 they wowed the audience with a tight set that energised an early afternoon crowd. With memories of the live album 'Saints Will Conquer' from 1988 it must have been with somewhat trepidation that the band decided to record their shows at Wacken 2015 and Ashaffenburg for posterity.
Released tomorrow (February 14th) 'Carpe Noctum; stands well with the '88 release, material from their two most recent releases standing strong with older material.
Indeed what is worth remarking upon is that 'Left Hook from Right Field', 'Mess' and 'Win Hands Down' sit well with older, so-called classic material such as 'Aftermath' and, of course 'March of the Saint' and 'Reign Of Fire'.
As an be expected from such a talented bunch of musos the playing is excellent: Gonzo still goes...well gonzo on his kit; Joey does what he does best laying a mean bass line; Jeff and Phil have the licks and riffs nailed on; and, John still has the pipes to carry all the songs.
But, most of all the feeling is that the band seem to have retained the passion for live performances, and each track resonates with that desire.
In this age of live DVD/CD/Blu-Ray packages what makes this somewhat retro - in a good way - is that it is a simple straightforward live album: something worth cherishing.
Review by Jonathan Traynor
Armored Saint play Voodoo Lounge, Dublin on March 20th, Belfast's Limelight the next night; HRH Hammerfest on March 23rd as well as selected UK and German dates before heading back to the US for a night in Chicago.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
ALBUM REVIEW: Armored Saint slay as they Win Hands Down
WHERE did that come from? Where did Armored Saint conjure up a beast of a record? Where did the inspiration come from for 'Win Hands Down'?
Whatever the source of this alchemy they should bottle it and sell it to every band who struggle in the studio.
With monsters like 'That Was Then, Way Back Then' and 'Muscle Memory' Bush and Vera have combined the base elements of music and lyrics into a golden example of metal. Hell, they even roped in Scott Ian's missus to contribute on one of the tracks!
This is Armored Saint's seventh outing and not only equals anything else but exceeds it in depth and breadth, without losing that essential quality that came close to them to breaking on to the high ground occupied by the 'Big Four'.
Bush spoke about what led to the album's origins: "When we started work on this record, I said, 'Let's pretend we are a really big band and can do whatever we want'."
"Technology allows us that luxury, and we can take that luxury when it comes to writing. In the end, we know who we are, so we don't have those boundaries that other bands might have - you push yourself, dig deep and write stuff that makes you feel happy and fulfills you. That's really important, and I think it came through. This means a lot more to us than just, 'We made a rock/metal album...'"
That attitude is evident on the likes of 'In An Instant', which is a reflection of the fragility of life inspired by the Boston Marathon bombings. And, we're putting pen to paper at a time when the surviving bomber is appealing against death by lethal injection...
But, while Bush's lyrics have a serious bent on several of the tracks, he's not afraid to lighten up against the background of Vera's arrangements.
"There's a lighter side to some of the lyrics, like 'Up Yours,' but I'm not afraid to strip myself emotionally and lyrically and divulge my feelings," said Bush. "To be honest, a lot of what I write is reminding myself how to live - 'If you want to live like this, put it in a song...' I strive to be a better person and father, and a good human - this is a reminder.
"I'm not trying to be [Bob] Dylan, I don't have that much foresight, but - especially being a little older - you can identify things. I try and write things people can relate to, but I'm also writing about things that have an impact on me. It's the platform I have, and it's nice when people are able to relate."
While much of the focus is on Vera and Bush as the principal writers, the unit is tight throughout, with Vera and Gonzo (drums) providing an awesome rhythm section, while Jeff and Phil lay down a tapestry of tight guitars.
To be perfectly honest when approaching this release it did take a couple of listens before the claws caught in the flesh. Opener, 'Win Hands Down' and 'Mess' are pretty good - actually really good, but third track 'An Exercise in Debauchery' has a real groove, but harkens back to when thrash exponents were allowed to experiment. (And, it has a super opening line "He never killed anyone/but he hurt somebody's feeling once" in the exorcism of those who spend their days watching porn.)
On the note of experimentation this also has Pearl Aday on 'With a Full Head of Steam' and 'Dive' a more laid back track, which has piano as the backbone to the track.
In lesser hands these things could have been fool's follies, but somehow they work in what is a well rounded album. There is a classic metal and thrash fusion throughout 'Win Hands Down' that simply works.
What could have been another band trying to reclaim past glories is instead a triumphant expansion on the Armored Saint template that takes them to another level.
Whatever the source of this alchemy they should bottle it and sell it to every band who struggle in the studio.
With monsters like 'That Was Then, Way Back Then' and 'Muscle Memory' Bush and Vera have combined the base elements of music and lyrics into a golden example of metal. Hell, they even roped in Scott Ian's missus to contribute on one of the tracks!
This is Armored Saint's seventh outing and not only equals anything else but exceeds it in depth and breadth, without losing that essential quality that came close to them to breaking on to the high ground occupied by the 'Big Four'.
Bush spoke about what led to the album's origins: "When we started work on this record, I said, 'Let's pretend we are a really big band and can do whatever we want'."
"Technology allows us that luxury, and we can take that luxury when it comes to writing. In the end, we know who we are, so we don't have those boundaries that other bands might have - you push yourself, dig deep and write stuff that makes you feel happy and fulfills you. That's really important, and I think it came through. This means a lot more to us than just, 'We made a rock/metal album...'"
That attitude is evident on the likes of 'In An Instant', which is a reflection of the fragility of life inspired by the Boston Marathon bombings. And, we're putting pen to paper at a time when the surviving bomber is appealing against death by lethal injection...
But, while Bush's lyrics have a serious bent on several of the tracks, he's not afraid to lighten up against the background of Vera's arrangements.
"There's a lighter side to some of the lyrics, like 'Up Yours,' but I'm not afraid to strip myself emotionally and lyrically and divulge my feelings," said Bush. "To be honest, a lot of what I write is reminding myself how to live - 'If you want to live like this, put it in a song...' I strive to be a better person and father, and a good human - this is a reminder.
"I'm not trying to be [Bob] Dylan, I don't have that much foresight, but - especially being a little older - you can identify things. I try and write things people can relate to, but I'm also writing about things that have an impact on me. It's the platform I have, and it's nice when people are able to relate."
While much of the focus is on Vera and Bush as the principal writers, the unit is tight throughout, with Vera and Gonzo (drums) providing an awesome rhythm section, while Jeff and Phil lay down a tapestry of tight guitars.
To be perfectly honest when approaching this release it did take a couple of listens before the claws caught in the flesh. Opener, 'Win Hands Down' and 'Mess' are pretty good - actually really good, but third track 'An Exercise in Debauchery' has a real groove, but harkens back to when thrash exponents were allowed to experiment. (And, it has a super opening line "He never killed anyone/but he hurt somebody's feeling once" in the exorcism of those who spend their days watching porn.)
On the note of experimentation this also has Pearl Aday on 'With a Full Head of Steam' and 'Dive' a more laid back track, which has piano as the backbone to the track.
In lesser hands these things could have been fool's follies, but somehow they work in what is a well rounded album. There is a classic metal and thrash fusion throughout 'Win Hands Down' that simply works.
What could have been another band trying to reclaim past glories is instead a triumphant expansion on the Armored Saint template that takes them to another level.
Review by Jonny
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Be all at Anthrax...NOT!
The situation at the good ship Anthrax has gotten somewhat confusing. After several promo appearances in the UK with singer Dan Nelson confirmation has come that he has left the band, John Bush is standing in for Sonisphere for one time only and they have a new album with Dan Nelson on vocal duties which no-one seems to know whether it will see the light of day or not.
No Belfast date then on the horizon - if ever again
No Belfast date then on the horizon - if ever again
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