SAINT - WARRIORS OF THE SON and TOO LATE FOR LIVING remastered reissues

After a much prolonged wait all three of Saint’s first releases have been gloriously remastered and reissued with original artwork. As part of Retroactive Records ‘The Original’ series Warriors of the Son and Too Late for Living join the already issued Time's End to complete this metal tri-fecta.

Warriors of the Son was originally issued in 1984 on Morada Records, prior to Stryper’s Yellow and Black Attack. Actually Saint issued this 6 song EP independently on Rotton Records. The cover art was different and had some different mixes, particularly the vocals on Vicars of Fate. Retroactive has reissued the Morada version. (This EP was re-recorded in 2003 with 2 extra tracks. A solid find if you can snatch a copy)

The recording hasn’t aged quite as well as one would hope, but according to Saint mastermind Richard Lynch they spent about $1000 on the original and that was 25+ years ago. Even though I fondly remember this EP as a metal masterpiece only Vicars of Fate and Legions of the Dead have transcended the years gracefully. The songs at times are a little too simplistic but laid the groundwork for what would come later. I dig this disc but if you’re a new comer to the Saint catalog I might suggest some of their other releases first. The elements of Judas Priest had yet to spring forth in this field.

J Powell at Steinhaus oversaw the remastering and was able to bring the bass drum back into the fray. The guitars still have a little more bite than they probably should (at times almost shrill) but chock that up to source material. Remaster from vinyl if my information is correct, again far and away better then what was previously available.

Warriors of the Son is still a headbanging feast, just a little primitive compared with Too Late for Living. Too Late… is the third release for Saint and was their second release for Pure Metal Records back in 1988. Light years ahead of WOTS in the production department and song writing as well.

Too Late for Living was the follow up to Time’s End and in many ways delivered the proverbial goods. Starting with the rather Accept like mid tempo title track, things seemed to move in a faster heavier direction with Star Pilot. An up-tempo metal anthem that highlights a stellar guitar solo from Dee Harrington. Accuser delivers some of the heaviest material on this release but clocking in at 1:59 it is far too short.

The next two tracks The Rock and On the Street feel almost commercial in their fast hitting choruses and short running times. Good songs but the vibe is just a little to polished. A thematic 4 song end of day’s story line next greets the listener, Returning, The Path, Through the Sky, and The War is Over.

Returning is a solid metal instrumental highlighting the guitar histrionics of the aforementioned Harrington, but not to be outdone by drummer extraordinaire John ‘The Machine’ Perrine. Through the Sky is Saint at their most powerful and fastest, double kick courtesy of Perrine but the vocals of Josh Kramer with his Halford like screams put this track in the stratosphere. Why more fans don’t recognize the brilliance here is beyond me.

The remastering brings greater clarity and power to an already powerful album. Metal like Priest, Armored Saint and Accept. The one flaw here is that this album is far too short, clocking in at only 33 min! Commercial considerations? Based on the costuming the band posed in for their promo shots that is a fair assumption.
It just seems to me that there should’ve been two more tracks to get this close to 40 minutes. Perhaps that is why this album takes a back seat to Time’s End.

Traditional metal of the highest order, both of these releases deserve to be in your metal collection. Leather jackets, bullet belts and denim jeans harken back to the time when heavy metal meant songs that stuck with you and you screamed your lungs out in unison. Both of these albums provide that in spades.

Warriors of the Son 7 axes


Too Late for Living 9 axes

FINAL AXE - BEYOND HELLS GATE

New and improved comes this edition of the first Final Axe album entitled Beyond Hell’s Gate. This is the original collaboration of guitar whiz Bill Menchen and vocalist Simon Tyler aka Keith Miles. These guys have brought Robert Sweet of Stryper on board to handle the proverbial pots and pans. This material was originally recorded and released in the early 90’s

It’s no understatement to say that Sweets contribution adds the sound and rhythmic background that way the original was missing. This is the kinda heavy metal that the term headbanger was invented for. Fast and hard this disc hits like a truck doing 80 mph. Not that every song is fast but the addition of some one talented on the drums really drives the feel and groove.

From ‘Baptized in Blood,’ ‘Close to Deliverance,’ ‘No Time to Die,’ all benefit from the improved sound and drum playing. For the most part the songs here are short sweet and too the point. You won’t mistake Final Axe for some Prog band that’s for sure. Menchens formula as it were is quick 3-4 minute metal tunes that make you bang yer head and get the feet pumpin. Armored Saint or perhaps early Saxon in heaviness and feel.

At times the songs felt a little ‘samey’ or as we used say, “It sounds like one long song.” At first that maybe the case but there are a few gems in this rough. ‘War Cry,’ ‘Baptized in Blood,’ ‘No Time to Die’ and closer ‘Rated X’ are top drawer metal compositions that will get your attention quickly. Cool tunes that grab on and dig in quickly, so quick that you’ll want to hear them again.

Pick up your denim, leather and grab that boom box as you’re gonna want this album of solid metal tunes in your collection. Listening to this disc I’m reminded of Sammy Hagar who wrote a lyric that I find very apropos, he wrote “Headbangers in Leather… upfront fanatics tearing down the barricades!” See you down front.

6 axes

TITANIC - MAIDEN VOYAGE and SCREAMING IN SILENCE w/Robert Sweet on drums

With a powerful energetic drum assault from Strypers Robert Sweet these reissues of Bill Menchen's Titanic are even more powerful than when they were first released. Both Maiden Voyage and Screaming in Silence were solid heavy metal albums before. Now with the drumming of Robert Sweet they are spectacular! This is mid paced heavy metal that leather jackets and denim jeans were made for.

Both ‘Screaming…’ and ‘Maiden…’ were originally released using a drum machine (if that is incorrect someone please correct me.) Needless to say the sound wasn't as big as it could've been. It showcased Menchens guitar prowess and Sam Tyler’s vocal styles. Screaming in Silence and Maiden Voyage highlighted powerful hook laden heavy metal songs. Now with this new dynamic of real drums by Sweet, he added the missing piece, power, feel, drive and downright rock n roll attitude.

When you listen to the improved ‘Fight Back,’ ‘I am Watching You,’ ‘Oceans of Blood,’ or ‘Gods of War’ from Maiden Voyage there is so much more feel that it enhances Bills guitar riffs. It is simply astounding. The added bass drums and fills just increase the power that was already there in the songs to begin with. The hair starts swirling and the neck joins in with glorious praise.

The songs from Screaming in Silence also receive a tremendous boost from real drumming. Robert’s dynamics on ‘Hypnotic’ enhance a very groove influenced metal song and just add that missing piece. ‘As I Am,’ ‘See through My Eyes’ are some just obvious examples of the intensity taken up to the next notch. Bill & Sam’s passion are obviously there but with a drummer of Robert’s caliber behind the kit he adds the spark to a smoldering metal flame that ignites in a blaze of glory.

The hooks are stronger and more infectious than before. The songs here just sound vastly improved. Heavier than say Priest's Point of Entry but perhaps not quite British Steel. Hook filled like Saxon's Denim and Leather but with the guts of Armored Saints Raising Fear. Not ground breaking but first rate. Any takers?

I would almost view those first two original releases as warm up demos for the real thing. The introduced you to the songs and band, but were'nt the finished product. So if you don't already own the original releases do yourself a favor this spring, and if you do you will definately want the upgrade.

These releases are the real thing and if you’re a fan of traditional metal ala Armored Saint, Judas Priest, Dio and Accept don’t hesitate and add these discs to your collection.

Bang yer head and yell!

7 axes

SAINT - CRIME SCENE EARTH 2.0

Saint originally released ‘Crime Scene Earth’ in 2008 amidst many mixed reactions. Those reactions were primarily due to the fact that Josh Kramer only sang on three tracks and unknown to the metal community was that bassist Richard Lynch handled the bulk of the vocal work. Well after much outcry and hope Saint have issued ‘Crime Scene Earth 2.0.’

In computer terms 2.0 usually means new an improved with the bugs removed. (Hint, hint Microsoft…. But that’s a different issue…) In the case of this new and improved album I think Saint have given us all a huge upgrade! First off yes Josh Kramer is here wailing away in his entire God given glory. Hearing Josh blast out ‘Terror in The Sky,’ ‘Everlasting God’ or the title track ‘Crime Scene Earth’ is pure metal nirvana.

Richard Lynch has also been able to remix and in some places re-record portions of this soon to be classic album. The drums sound much better this time through as do much of the guitar parts. Frankly this a real upgrade across the board.

J Powell at Steinhaus said that when he mastered this release it felt more like a 70’s metal album to him so he mastered it that way. I can’t really argue with that statement as there are many elements that a 70s release would have. The songwriting has that feel more than anything I think. After hearing “Bended Knee” and “Lost” for instance I’m left thinking of Judas Priests ‘Hell Bent for Leather’ and ‘Sad Wings Period’ period.

Perhaps if there was one thing I wish they would’ve changed and didn’t are the high pitched harmonies on “Half a Times Measure” during the chorus. I wish they were more in the background as opposed to being right in the front of the mix almost overpowering Josh’s main melody line. I just found 'em to be too distracting and thought they should be mixed further back. A small item to me.

As another side note, Saint have actually released a 3rd version of 'Terror in the Sky.' Apparently the version on the first pressings is a scratch track that inadvertently made it onto the first pressings(according to Josh Kramer's webpage). The actual album version is available as a free download and here is the post directly from the Saint website.

"Well it sounds like everyone is enjoying Hell Blade and CSE has shipped out this last weekend. Here's a link to the updated Terror In The Sky

http://www.divinemetaldistro.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1888

This is a newer version than the one on CSE 2.0 and is free. Merry Christmas everyone - Saint"

I found this version to be even better than the one on the actual album. I don't know how long it will be available so I suggest getting it sooner rather than later.


After hearing the new album ‘Hell Blade’, which is a triumph in its own right, ‘Crime Scene Earth 2.0’ is like the second part of a one two punch. If you didn’t care for the original version this version should have you headbanging with joy. I disagree with those who think that Saint is living on a reputation from years gone by. There is still some metal on those bones.

Listen up Warriors of the Son, let it be said that Saint are still delivering the goods. This album is a rapid fire assault that leaves you screaming for vengeance that it’s too late for living because of the time’s end.

8 axes

SAINT - HELL BLADE

A powerful storm is brewing to take place in 2010 and at the center of that storm is the latest album from Oregon Headbangers Saint. ‘Hell Blade’ hits the stage with all guns blazing and ready to take no prisoners. This is a tremendous heavy machine that is simply hitting on all cylinders with this disc.

Richard Lynch (bass) and cohorts Josh Kramer (vocals), Jerry Johnson (guitars) and Bill Brost (drums) have assembled a massive array of heavy metal thunder. Josh is in full throated glory here blasting it out with the best of them. The drum sound Bill was able to obtain just drives and plows this release in total submission. Richard was able to couple his blasting bass with Bill’s drums and they lock together nicely. However it must be pointed out the Jerry Johnson’s guitar playing is forthright and dominant.

There are many different elements to dissect on this record. On the production front, it’s solid, big and demands your attention. Energy just oozes out of the performances given. A darker feel is predominant that I think was intentional is very dominant. Lyrically the end times still plays a major role in the themes explored. Yet coupled with the overall feel and vibe it’s almost epic in its presentation. Struggling with temptation is the also explored.

Top players include ‘To the Cross,’ ‘New World Order,’ ‘You and Me,’ and ‘Hell Train.’ ‘Hell Train’ being a nice production piece that has lots of atmosphere and is just eerie with a very staccato like riff from Jerry. The thing I noticed the most is that the collaboration of Jerry and Richard brought the catchiest songs. The title song itself is very reminiscent in theme of the song ‘Times End.’ If you compare the two lyrically I think they make a nice pairing.




This is a heavy album, but there isn’t a speed killer here. Most of the tunes are mid-tempo with one or two up-tempo songs. A song like ‘Through the Night’ would’ve been killer as I think it would’ve fit the vibe, but alas there isn’t one. The one ‘commercial’ oddity as it were is the song ‘Crying in the Night.’ This song is about as commercial as say a ‘Heading Out to the Highway’ still a bit heavier and a good song non-the-less.

Saint fans should be scooping this one up by the bushel and hopefully some newer fans as well. This is crunching heavy metal that is a must buy and listen. Boy could I see a Saint/Ultimatum/Jacob’s Dream tour. Am I the only one who thinks that would be a scream? Headbanging glory my friends.

There has been so much anticipation for this disc that I do not want to overhype it. You know what happens, it’s eventually not as good as you’d like. So let me say this, Hell Blade is a great heavy metal album. A classic? Only time will tell that, but until then Keep Rockin’ till the Final Day!!!

8 axes