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.
Symbol of Salvation
Armored Saint Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Explain
Tell me what you plan to be
The future
Go ahead
Explain
Tell me what you plan to see
The future
I've been waiting here for you all
What took you so long
Symbol of salvation
Who's the symbol of Salvation
What's the symbol of Salvation
Is honesty truly another word
For justice
Honesty is truly another slur
On justice
I've been waiting here for you all
What took you so long
Symbol of salvation
Who's the symbol of Salvation
What's the symbol of Salvation
Hear the knave
With information
With a knave
Is wrong direction
No it's not the
Symbol of salvation
Follow my lead
I'll show you the way
For the future
Follow my lead
We'll digest world decay
For the future
I've been waiting here for you all
What took you so long
Symbol of salvation
Who's the symbol of Salvation
What's the symbol of Salvation
The lyrics of Armored Saint's song Symbol of Salvation are asking the listener to explain their plans and visions for the future. The song seems to be questioning the concept of a "symbol of salvation" and what that truly means. The lyrics also touch on the issue of honesty and justice and whether or not they are interconnected or separate concepts.
The singer expresses frustration at waiting for someone or something to be the symbol of salvation and asks why it has taken so long. The phrase "symbol of salvation" itself seems to be up for interpretation and the song leaves it up to the listener to decide what or who that symbol is or should be. In the end, the singer suggests that he will lead the way through the world's decay and uncertainty for a brighter future.
Overall, the song seems to be a call to action for individuals to take responsibility for the direction of the world and not wait for a savior or symbol of salvation to intervene. It encourages the listener to follow their own path and values towards creating a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Go ahead
Take the lead, start the conversation
Explain
Provide a clear explanation
Tell me what you plan to be
Share your aspirations for the future
The future
The time that is yet to come
Tell me what you plan to see
Share your vision for the future
I've been waiting here for you all
I have been eagerly waiting for you to arrive
What took you so long
Why did you take so much time?
Symbol of salvation
A representation of rescue or deliverance
Who's the symbol of Salvation
Who represents rescue or deliverance?
What's the symbol of Salvation
What represents rescue or deliverance?
Is honesty truly another word
Is honesty really synonymous with another term?
For justice
In the pursuit of fairness and righteousness
Honesty is truly another slur
In reality, honesty is another insult
On justice
Toward fairness and righteousness
Hear the knave
Listen to the deceitful person
With information
With facts or details
With a knave
But when dealing with a dishonest person
Is wrong direction
It is leading one down the wrong path
No it's not the
This is not the true
Follow my lead
Trust my guidance
I'll show you the way
I will guide you toward the right direction
We'll digest world decay
Together, we will confront and overcome the decay of the world/negative influences
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID EARL PRICHARD, GONZALO SANDOVAL, JEFFREY ROSS DUNCAN, JOHN ROBERT BUSH, JOSEPH JOHN VERA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sviso71
The timeline might need some changes
No. Title Lyrics Music Length
1. "Reign of Fire" J ohn Bush David Prichard (3,57)
2. "Dropping Like Flies" Bush Prichard (04,39) 03:57
3. "Last Train Home" Bush Jeff Duncan (05,19) 8:36
4. "Tribal Dance" Bush Prichard, Joey Vera, Gonzo Sandova (04,07) 13:55
5. "The Truth Always Hurts" Bush Phil Sandoval, Duncan (04,20) 18:02
6. "Half Drawn Bridge" Instrumental Vera (01,27) 22:22
7. "Another Day" Bush Prichard (05,32) 23:49
8. "Symbol of Salvation" Bush, G. Sandoval Duncan, Vera (04,36) 29:21
9. "Hanging Judge" Bush Prichard (03,45) 33:57
10. "Warzone" Bush Prichard (03,38) 37:42
11. "Burning Question" Bush Prichard (04,18) 41:20
12. "Tainted Past" Bush, G. Sandoval, Vera Vera (07,04) 45:38
13. "Spineless" Bush, Duncan Vera, Prichard (04,16) 52:42
Total 56,58
@dzhynn
01. Reign Of Fire 00:00
02. Dropping Like Flies 03:59
03. Last Train Home 08:40
04. Tribal Dance 14:02
05. Truth Always Hurts 18:10
06. Half Drawn Bridge 22:34
07. Another Day 24:04
08. Symbol Of Salvation 29:36
09. Hanging Judge 34:14
10. Warzone 38:02
11. Burning Question 41:43
12. Tainted Past 46:04
13. Spineless 53:09
@AssyAssbourne
Subscribe Here for New Uploads: https://www.youtube.com/c/WolfgangVonPoserkila
0:00 - Reign Of Fire
3:59 - Dropping Like Flies
8:40 - Last Train Home
14:02 - Tribal Dance
18:10 - Truth Always Hurts
22:34 - Half Drawn Bridge
24:04 - Another Day
29:36 - Symbol Of Salvation
34:14 - Hanging Judge
38:02 - Warzone
41:43 - Burning Question
46:04 - Tainted Past
53:09 - Spineless
@KB-P
I love them. John Bush is one of the greatest vocalist ever...
Very underrated band after all....
@YannolicA
I am currently living a difficult time in my life, the mother of my children has left us. I do not have the taste to listen to my usual groups, which reminds me of too much memory. I knew Armored Saint because of John Bush, but I had never discovered before. I took the opportunity to change my mind with this group, they are perfect! they are saving my life right now. I will wear them forever in my heart!
@tiefighter3445
Great to hear that they are helping you! I just bought this album at the record store today and I'm quite impressed.
@fernandojosesenortoca6860
I hope your problems gone far away and I have to tell you that music is a perfect way to get it (Is my experience and it works, my friend). I discovered this band a long time ago, when I was a teenager (now I'm 50), and I had an added problem with my hometown, it was really difficult to be a heavy metal fan in a small Spanish Town in located in the north of Africa (yes, it's real. You can look for it in Google maps, the name is CEUTA). But don't think that I hate my town, I really love it, but it is a very very traditional place and of course we have a border with Morocco (still more traditional). Even with all that problems music, specially metal gave me and my friends an special force and resistance to progress in life. So don't surrender my friend, everything is possible. SALUD CAMARADA!!!
@brandengrijalva262
Rock hard ride free my friend
@definitiveenergy1878
Hi Yan. Hope you and your family have moved on to a happier place. John, Phil and Gonzo are dear friends of mine and I know they would wish you the best!
@YannolicA
Thank you all for your kind words. We are all very well, and yes, the music, playing the drums precisely, helped me a lot. respect, and I wish you all the best.
@BodhiTreeSeedSpa
I just rediscovered this album after 20yra. amazing how life takes you and you "forget" yourself in the hustle and bustle! I'm so happy and it's like yesterday all over again! what an amazing band and vocalist! TOTALLY UNDERRATED!!!
@marcelstjean
@DaffyChuckBeatz AS popped into my head today after maybe 10 years.I'm so glad it did. \m/
@jimlotus7889
I REMEMBERED THIS ALBUM FROM WAY BACK A LONG TIME AGO AND HAD TO HEAR IT AGAIN.. THAT IS HOW FUCKING GOOD IT IS ... I KNOW EVERY WORD TO EVERY SONG ON THIS ALBUM .. I WORE THE TAPE OUT BACK THEN AND IT IS THE BEST ALBUM EVER !!! MUCH LOVE TO ALL OF THE arMOrEd SaINt fans out THERE !!! :)