Saint (USA)
Posted: 04 Sep 2024, 08:38
Saint - Broad Is The Gate (2014)
Year : 2014
Style : Heavy Metal , Christian Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + front + Video
Size : 139 mb
Bio:
1979 Christian Center of Salem. The Band was called “Power Faith”. It’s members were John Mahan, Russ Koch, Jim Maxwell and the Late Bob Page. These guys had a small collection of songs and shortly broke up, just to return a year later as “The Gentiles” minus Bob Page. It was during this time Richard Lynch was managing the band, Playing rhythm guitar and writing songs. By 1981 The Gentiles went in to the studio and recorded their first demo with a stand in singer, Max Clark. They sent out to record labels and received a few offers, but each member was slowly moving on to their individual careers, and by 1982 the band folded.In 1982 Richard Lynch and drummer Gene McClindon found themselves bandless and a desire to continue on with the dream of playing Heavy Metal for the Lord. During this time Richard was writing material for a new LP and seized the name SAINT. Gene contacted a friend he new who was to play guitar and could sing as well, his name Josh Kramer. Josh was a great guitarist and had quite the voice. They played an audition in LA for Steve Archer but were told to practice and maybe some other time. Richard told them there would be no other time for them and they left. This is when the idea of their own label was birthed. 1984 saw the birth of the new label Rotton Records and the EP “Warriors Of The Son.” John Mahan returns and two years of “musical” drummers start, too many to name, until the band settled on Mike Lowery.In 1986 the band signed a contract with Pure Metal Records and releases its first full-length, “Time’s End.” With drummer Mike Lowery out of the band just one week before recording, drummer Brian Willis is then hired (on loan from the band Quarter Flash) to perform on the album along with Josh Kramer (vocals), John Mahan (guitar), and Richard Lynch (bass).In 1989 their second full-length album "Too Late For Living" was released, guitarist Dee Harrington and drummer John Perrine join the effort along with Josh Kramer, John Mahan and Richard Lynch. The band is now on an all time roll and then mysteriously folds.In 1999 Richard Lynch and Dee Harrington regroup with drummer/vocalist Tim Lamberson. Saint puts out the EP “The Perfect Life”, which was quite a departure from Saint's usual Metal assault. The EP alienated quite a few fans and it seemed Saint's True Metal Mission had been turned into an alternative hard rock project.In 2008 the band released the album "Crime Scene Earth" which featured more of a "retro-metal" sound (think Judas Priest's "Stained Class" album) on much of the tracks. There's even a cover of Priest's "Invader" from the album - you guessed it - "Stained Class". The lineup for "Crime Scene Earth" consisted of Josh Kramer, Dee Harrington, Jerry Johnson, Richard Lynch and Larry London.In late 2009, the band released what is possibly their best effort to date. "Hell Blade" is heavy, catchy and features a modern sound without compromising the impact of their True Metal sound. "Hell Blade" features the lineup of Josh Kramer, Jerry Johnson, Richard Lynch and drummer Bill Brost. It's 2011 and the band are in the studio recording the follow-up to the mighty "Hell Blade" with new drummer Mike Lowery.
Album:
Among eighties Christian metal legends, few stand tall as Salem, Oregon based Saint. The list of accolades is long and varied, and starts with acclaimed classic eighties releases Warriors Of The Son (1984), Time’s End (1986) and Too Late For Living (1989). Extended hiatus took Saint past the turn of the century to its most prolific period: Starting with In The Battle from 2004 the group has released an album every two years- The Mark (2006), Crime Scene Earth (2008), Hell Blade (2010), Desperate Night (2012) and Broad Is The Gate (2014). Despite enduring significant turnover within its roster, including four different guitarists (John Mahan, Dee Harrington, Jerry Johnson and Matt Smith), too many drummers to mention and a pair of vocalists (newcomer Brian Phyll Miller recently supplanted original front man Josh Kramer), Saint has maintained the quality (if not upped it) on each subsequent release.Musically, Saint has gained renown for its traditional metal leanings, with Kramer lending to its comparison (accurately I might add) to Judas Priest from his Halford-like vocal abilities. That said, a new vocalist can potentially alter a bands sound, but much to its credit Saint stays true to its NWOBHM roots on Broad Is The Gate with the addition of the talented Miller (same smooth transition was made by Saint as Sacred Warrior when it replaced Rey Parra with Eli Prinson). When placed alongside, Miller sings in the higher register than Kramer (observation and no way a critique in that I remain a fan of Kramer) with a touch of raspy grit and gravel, which allows for a slight Dio quality to his delivery. My impression is that Miller is a natural power metal vocalists (he auditioned for DragonForce in 2010) but provides ample versatility to complement the Saint style of classic metal. As we shall see later in the review, he correspondingly allows the group to branch out a bit musically in comparison to past releases.Previous two Saint albums Desperate Night and Hell Blade set a high standard as it pertains to production for those released independently, and Broad Is The Gate proves no exception. Good news is that re-mastering (courtesy of Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound) to the January of 2022 Retroactive re-issue takes production to the next level in providing added depth and clarity for crisper guitars, firmer bass and cleaner backing details (brighter symbols and apparent leads). Another benefit is the jewel case packaging (noting work of Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal Graphics) to include lyrics in an easy to read front and previously never scene band photos. Added bonus comes in the form of a foil stamped Saint trading card.The better Broad Is The Gate material does not disappoint. It starts with the albums commanding title track, as incisively driven moments (in which prodigious guitar walls and darker undercurrents prevail) stand alongside those which border on the accessible (as can be found in the catchy refrain). “Broad Is The Gate” also introduces the second new member to the Saint family in Matthew P. Smith, who rounds out the guitar team with holdover Jerry Johnson. Of note is how the two adorn the song with an extended stretch of scintillating duel lead guitar.
Line-Up:
Brian Phyll Miller - Vocals (2012-present)
Matthew P Smith - Guitars
Richard Lynch - Bass (1982-1989, 1999-present) - See also: ex-The Gentiles
Jerry Johnson - Guitars (2003-2006, 2008-present)
Jared Knowland - Drums (2011-present)
Tracklist:
01. Broad Is the Gate 04:13
02. Hero 03:20
03. We All Stand 03:44
04. Demon Pill 02:36
05. We Will Fight 03:54
06. Who You Are 04:08
07. Reach the Sky 02:25
08. Never Same 05:16
09. Metal Cross 01:43 instrumental
+ Video "Desperate Night" (Official Video)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
Year : 2014
Style : Heavy Metal , Christian Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + front + Video
Size : 139 mb
Bio:
1979 Christian Center of Salem. The Band was called “Power Faith”. It’s members were John Mahan, Russ Koch, Jim Maxwell and the Late Bob Page. These guys had a small collection of songs and shortly broke up, just to return a year later as “The Gentiles” minus Bob Page. It was during this time Richard Lynch was managing the band, Playing rhythm guitar and writing songs. By 1981 The Gentiles went in to the studio and recorded their first demo with a stand in singer, Max Clark. They sent out to record labels and received a few offers, but each member was slowly moving on to their individual careers, and by 1982 the band folded.In 1982 Richard Lynch and drummer Gene McClindon found themselves bandless and a desire to continue on with the dream of playing Heavy Metal for the Lord. During this time Richard was writing material for a new LP and seized the name SAINT. Gene contacted a friend he new who was to play guitar and could sing as well, his name Josh Kramer. Josh was a great guitarist and had quite the voice. They played an audition in LA for Steve Archer but were told to practice and maybe some other time. Richard told them there would be no other time for them and they left. This is when the idea of their own label was birthed. 1984 saw the birth of the new label Rotton Records and the EP “Warriors Of The Son.” John Mahan returns and two years of “musical” drummers start, too many to name, until the band settled on Mike Lowery.In 1986 the band signed a contract with Pure Metal Records and releases its first full-length, “Time’s End.” With drummer Mike Lowery out of the band just one week before recording, drummer Brian Willis is then hired (on loan from the band Quarter Flash) to perform on the album along with Josh Kramer (vocals), John Mahan (guitar), and Richard Lynch (bass).In 1989 their second full-length album "Too Late For Living" was released, guitarist Dee Harrington and drummer John Perrine join the effort along with Josh Kramer, John Mahan and Richard Lynch. The band is now on an all time roll and then mysteriously folds.In 1999 Richard Lynch and Dee Harrington regroup with drummer/vocalist Tim Lamberson. Saint puts out the EP “The Perfect Life”, which was quite a departure from Saint's usual Metal assault. The EP alienated quite a few fans and it seemed Saint's True Metal Mission had been turned into an alternative hard rock project.In 2008 the band released the album "Crime Scene Earth" which featured more of a "retro-metal" sound (think Judas Priest's "Stained Class" album) on much of the tracks. There's even a cover of Priest's "Invader" from the album - you guessed it - "Stained Class". The lineup for "Crime Scene Earth" consisted of Josh Kramer, Dee Harrington, Jerry Johnson, Richard Lynch and Larry London.In late 2009, the band released what is possibly their best effort to date. "Hell Blade" is heavy, catchy and features a modern sound without compromising the impact of their True Metal sound. "Hell Blade" features the lineup of Josh Kramer, Jerry Johnson, Richard Lynch and drummer Bill Brost. It's 2011 and the band are in the studio recording the follow-up to the mighty "Hell Blade" with new drummer Mike Lowery.
Album:
Among eighties Christian metal legends, few stand tall as Salem, Oregon based Saint. The list of accolades is long and varied, and starts with acclaimed classic eighties releases Warriors Of The Son (1984), Time’s End (1986) and Too Late For Living (1989). Extended hiatus took Saint past the turn of the century to its most prolific period: Starting with In The Battle from 2004 the group has released an album every two years- The Mark (2006), Crime Scene Earth (2008), Hell Blade (2010), Desperate Night (2012) and Broad Is The Gate (2014). Despite enduring significant turnover within its roster, including four different guitarists (John Mahan, Dee Harrington, Jerry Johnson and Matt Smith), too many drummers to mention and a pair of vocalists (newcomer Brian Phyll Miller recently supplanted original front man Josh Kramer), Saint has maintained the quality (if not upped it) on each subsequent release.Musically, Saint has gained renown for its traditional metal leanings, with Kramer lending to its comparison (accurately I might add) to Judas Priest from his Halford-like vocal abilities. That said, a new vocalist can potentially alter a bands sound, but much to its credit Saint stays true to its NWOBHM roots on Broad Is The Gate with the addition of the talented Miller (same smooth transition was made by Saint as Sacred Warrior when it replaced Rey Parra with Eli Prinson). When placed alongside, Miller sings in the higher register than Kramer (observation and no way a critique in that I remain a fan of Kramer) with a touch of raspy grit and gravel, which allows for a slight Dio quality to his delivery. My impression is that Miller is a natural power metal vocalists (he auditioned for DragonForce in 2010) but provides ample versatility to complement the Saint style of classic metal. As we shall see later in the review, he correspondingly allows the group to branch out a bit musically in comparison to past releases.Previous two Saint albums Desperate Night and Hell Blade set a high standard as it pertains to production for those released independently, and Broad Is The Gate proves no exception. Good news is that re-mastering (courtesy of Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound) to the January of 2022 Retroactive re-issue takes production to the next level in providing added depth and clarity for crisper guitars, firmer bass and cleaner backing details (brighter symbols and apparent leads). Another benefit is the jewel case packaging (noting work of Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal Graphics) to include lyrics in an easy to read front and previously never scene band photos. Added bonus comes in the form of a foil stamped Saint trading card.The better Broad Is The Gate material does not disappoint. It starts with the albums commanding title track, as incisively driven moments (in which prodigious guitar walls and darker undercurrents prevail) stand alongside those which border on the accessible (as can be found in the catchy refrain). “Broad Is The Gate” also introduces the second new member to the Saint family in Matthew P. Smith, who rounds out the guitar team with holdover Jerry Johnson. Of note is how the two adorn the song with an extended stretch of scintillating duel lead guitar.
Line-Up:
Brian Phyll Miller - Vocals (2012-present)
Matthew P Smith - Guitars
Richard Lynch - Bass (1982-1989, 1999-present) - See also: ex-The Gentiles
Jerry Johnson - Guitars (2003-2006, 2008-present)
Jared Knowland - Drums (2011-present)
Tracklist:
01. Broad Is the Gate 04:13
02. Hero 03:20
03. We All Stand 03:44
04. Demon Pill 02:36
05. We Will Fight 03:54
06. Who You Are 04:08
07. Reach the Sky 02:25
08. Never Same 05:16
09. Metal Cross 01:43 instrumental
+ Video "Desperate Night" (Official Video)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
