Armored Saint was formed in 1982 by brothers Phil and Gonzo Sandoval, and guitarist David Prichard, while attending Woodrow Wilson High School. Next to join were singer John Bush and bassist Joey Vera. Gonzo Sandoval came up with the name after getting stoned with the other band members and seeing the film "Excalibur" at a theater in Monterey Park. Armored Saint recorded a five song demo that landed the song "Lesson Well Learned" on the compilation album "Metal Massacre II". Three of these demo songs were then used for the band's self-titled EP on Metal Blade Records in 1983. The group then signed with Chrysalis Records in 1984.
Armored Saint released their debut album "March of the Saint" in 1984 followed by 1985's "Delirious Nomad". The debut album yielded a minor MTV hit with "Can U Deliver?". After the release of "Delirious Nomad", Phil Sandoval left the group. Their third album, "Raising Fear", was recorded by the remaining four members. Unhappy with their lack of success on the Chrysalis label, Armored Saint returned to Metal Blade in 1989. Soon after the release of their first live album "Saints Will Conquer". Later that same year the band added Jeff Duncan formerly of the L.A. club band Odin as second guitarist.
While writing and recording rough four-track demos for their next studio album, Dave Prichard was diagnosed with leukemia. Prichard succumbed to the disease before recording sessions for "Symbol of Salvation" began. After a brief hiatus, Phil Sandoval returned to the band to replace Prichard. The following year, "Symbol of Salvation" was released to widespread critical success. It was dedicated to the spirit and memory of Dave Prichard, whose solo on the demo recording of the song "Tainted Past" was used on the album.
Following the successful "Symbol of Salvation" tour, John Bush was offered the position of lead vocalist in the very successful thrash band Anthrax. Unsure of Armored Saint's future, Bush accepted the job. The remaining members declined to continue, and Armored Saint was officially disbanded.
After Armored Saint disbanded, Joey Vera kept busy playing with such bands as Fates Warning, Lizzy Borden and Chroma Key. He released a solo album in 1994 and started a successful second career as a producer and engineer.
Gonzo and Phil Sandoval formed a new band called Life After Death, a song oriented rock outfit influenced greatly by the legendary band Thin Lizzy.
In 1999, with Anthrax on temporary hiatus, John Bush and Joey Vera decided to reform Armored Saint. The entire "Symbol Of Salvation" lineup returned to the studio and in 2000 the album "Revelation" was released. It included the band's first song with Spanish lyrics, "No Me Digas". A small club tour opened for Dio and Lynch Mob followed.
The following year, the band released "Nod To The Old School", a collection of rarities, demos and outtakes (many from the Prichard years), plus a few new tracks.Soon after, John Bush returned to the studio with Anthrax, and Armored Saint was on indefinite hiatus.
in 2004, Joey Vera re-joined Bush in Anthrax on a temporary basis, replacing bassist Frank Bello. In early 2005, Anthrax's Scott Ian announced that their classic "Among The Living"-era lineup was reforming, leaving the membership of Bush and Vera in question. Bush stated his involvement with Anthrax was over, and Dan Nelson took over vocal duties in the band in 2007. This move gave new hope to many that Armored Saint would soon again record. A one-off show with the "Revelation" lineup took place in 2005 and in 2006 the band embarked on a new tour.
As part of their 20th anniversary, Metal Blade Records released a special edition of "Symbol Of Salvation". Also reissued was the band's long out of print live video, "A Trip Thru Red Times".
In Fall 2009, the band returned to the studio to record a new album called "La Raza" which was released in March 2010.
On February 11, 2013, Vera officially announced that the band had begun working on their seventh studio album. The album, titled Win Hands Down, was released on June 2, 2015. Win Hands Down debuted at number 183 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. The album also reached number 33 on the German Top 100 albums charts.
On February 24, 2017, Armored Saint released their first live album in 29 years, Carpe Noctum.
On May 23, 2019, Armored Saint announced that they had begun writing and demoing songs for their eighth studio album. The resulting album, titled Punching the Sky, was released on October 23, 2020. Metal Hammer named it the 33rd-best metal album of 2020.
In October 2020, Armored Saint released a teaser trailer to their documentary "Armored Saint: The Movie" which includes appearances from such as James Hetfield from Metallica and Scott Ian from Anthrax.
In a July 2023 interview, Bush confirmed that he and Vera have "started writing some songs a little bit" for the next Armored Saint album.
Dive
Armored Saint Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To park my derriere
Look out the window
and see the world moving along
A scenic view
Tell me what I should do
It's irrelevant 'cause
You still offer your ostrich omelette
You already bought the farm
A snail's pace
Is better than that rat race
The labyrinth maze is never ending
So skip the cheese
And rise from your knees
That concrete ground ain't very comfy
You still offer your calloused hand
But your just a shell of a man
Dive off the deep end
Someone's drainded the pool
a hard surface you collide
Dives off the deep end
Why choose to pretend
What your diving towards
Is an owl's eye
Dive off the deep end
Dive off the deep end
Somones draided the pool
Faster than you collide
Dive off the deep end
Try not to pretend
What your timing towards
empty boobie prize
Dive
Dive
Dive
The lyrics of Armored Saint's song "Dive" speak about finding oneself in a state of complacency, observing the world from a comfortable position. The opening lines describe a "perfect chair" where the singer can relax and watch the world pass by through a window. They acknowledge the beauty of the "scenic view" but feel unaffected by it, as they believe that their own actions and choices are irrelevant.
The mention of an "ostrich omelette" and "bought the farm" alludes to someone who has willingly made a foolish decision or taken on unnecessary risks, referring to the consequences by using the phrase "bought the farm" which typically means dying. It suggests that the singer sees someone else making reckless choices but does not wish to do the same.
The reference to a "rat race" and a "labyrinth maze" highlights the fast-paced and complex nature of life. The singer chooses to take things at a slower pace, comparing it to the slow movement of a snail. They advise stepping away from the pressures and temptations represented by the "cheese" and rising above the concrete ground, which may represent a mundane and unfulfilling existence.
The repetition of the phrase "Dive off the deep end" emphasizes the idea of taking risks and stepping outside of one's comfort zone. The metaphorical pool that has been drained suggests that the typical avenues for enjoyment or excitement have been depleted. The line "Why choose to pretend what you're diving towards is an owl's eye" suggests that diving into the unknown and taking risks may lead to unexpected and enlightening experiences, rather than settling for empty rewards or false illusions.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dive" urge listeners to break free from complacency, embrace uncertainty, and explore new possibilities, even if they may lead to challenging or unfamiliar territories.
Line by Line Meaning
A perfect chair
The singer has found a comfortable spot to relax
To park my derriere
To sit down and rest their rear
Look out the window
Gazing outside the window to observe the world
and see the world moving along
Witnessing the continuous motion of life
A scenic view
Enjoying the beauty of the surroundings
Tell me what I should do
Seeking guidance or suggestions on how to proceed
It's irrelevant 'cause
It doesn't matter
I don't ever listen
The artist doesn't pay attention to advice
You still offer your ostrich omelette
Despite their disregard for advice, someone still presents their opinions
You already bought the farm
You have already committed or made irreversible decisions
A snail's pace
Moving slowly, but steadily
Is better than that rat race
Preferring a slow and steady progress over a chaotic and competitive lifestyle
The labyrinth maze is never ending
Life's challenges and complexities are endless
So skip the cheese
Avoid pursuing materialistic or trivial desires
And rise from your knees
Stop begging or being subservient
That concrete ground ain't very comfy
Literal discomfort from standing on a hard surface, symbolizing an unsatisfying situation
You still offer your calloused hand
Someone still extends help or assistance despite the artist's reluctance
But your just a shell of a man
Critiquing the person offering help, implying they lack depth or substance
Dive off the deep end
Taking a bold and potentially risky action
Someone's drained the pool
The resources or opportunities have been depleted
a hard surface you collide
Facing obstacles or difficulties head-on
Why choose to pretend
Questioning the decision to deceive oneself
What you're diving towards
The goal or destination of the dive
Is an owl's eye
An unexpected or surprising realization or outcome
Dive off the deep end
Encouraging taking risks and embracing new experiences
Try not to pretend
Advising against self-deception or pretending
What your timing towards
What you are aiming for or anticipating
empty boobie prize
Receiving an unsatisfying or worthless reward or outcome
Dive
Take the plunge
Dive
Take the plunge
Dive
Take the plunge
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BUSH JOHN ROBERT, VERA JOSEPH JOHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind