Saint (USA)

[Horex]

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/

[Horex]

Saint - The Calf (2019)











Year : 2019
Style : Heavy Metal , Christian Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 109 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:

The Calf is a collection of life's experiences.

Line-Up:

Richard Lynch - Bass (1982-1989, 1999-present) - See also: ex-The Gentiles
Jerry Johnson - Guitars (2003-2006, 2008-present)
Jared Knowland - Drums (2011-present)
Brian Phyll Miller - Vocals (2012-present)
Matthew P Smith - Guitars (2013-present)

Tracklist:

01. The Calf
02. Another Day
03. Psalm 23
04. Rise
05. Fine Line
06. Stormy Night
07. Fragile
08. Hell to Pay
09. The Fall
10. God Is God




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Saint - Heaven Fell (2022)













Year : 2022 (Retroactive Records Edition)
Style : Heavy Metal , Christian Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 106 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:

SAINT is one of the very first acts emerging from the ’80s US Christian metal scene, alongside Stryper. Why they never achieved mainstream success as Stryper is simply because they refused to join the glam metal wagon and remain faithful to their roots. They had the same level of musicianship, and songwriting skills. With 13 full-length albums to date, Saint has only matured as musicians, and increased their fan base with one critically-acclaimed album after another.The band’s new 2022 release, ”Heaven Fell”, finds Saint at the pinnacle of their career. This is one of the best US melodic metal albums we heard in ages – Christian based or not. It’s on par with anything recently released by Stryper, even more melodic and powerful.Seriously, this is all killer / no filler – a 11 tracker of timeless, perfectly crafted American melodic metal.What we have in ”Heaven Fell” is perhaps the best selecting of songs gracing a Saint record since the Eighties – each cut brings that unique hook, riff or melody to separate from the rest and make an impression. Of equal note is the near flawless production (crisp, crunchy guitars and heavy-set drums) and choice band performance (lead guitar is jaw dropping).Album opens to three songs that are every bit heavy as they are catchy. “Holier Than Thou” is a barnburner combining equal parts galloping riffs and intrusive disposition with manifest hooks pointing to the accessible, while “Creature” is cast from a similar mold in exuding unremitting energy and charged low end alongside a forward melody to command with repeat play.“Dance Of The Gods” rates with this reviewer’s choice tracks with an engaging refrain that refuses to quit plenty of immediate hooks, but otherwise tempers to a mid-paced initiative to see bull rushing guitars and chanted vocal melodies play lead roles.The three serve to play up David Nelson’s gritty and gravelly middle-register vocal qualities. No, he might not bring a similar Halford-like upper end form as founding member vocalist Josh Kramer, but proves every bit complementary to the classic metal sounds at hand in forging his own legacy with Saint.In similar form is “Morning Star”, kicking in at once to the churning resolve to power its distance but interspersed with tempered moments of a bottom heavy capacity (including the unfathomable refrain) and “Make Believe”, slamming at a more elevated tempo in upholding ruthless guitar edges and understated but enduring melody interwoven with Richard Lynch’s manifest bass line.Distinctive to the two is manner in which they accent ample doses of exciting dual lead guitar from Jerry Johnson & Matt Smith. Close listen reveals light classical nuances from the pair.The CD most commercial cut is the impressive “Chosen One”. It backs from (even if slightly) the guitar focus, realizing melodic metal as opposed to that traditional, but playing up one of album’s most recognizable refrains, referencing the distant vocal harmonies to elevate the arresting melody with Nelson smoothing his vocal delivery in the process.Killer tune.I identify with “Fallen Armor” and “Heaven Fell” as equally good companion classic melodic metal cuts. The former resonates of the knife-like with its jagged intensity and complementary raw vocals but also fails to back from the prodigious hook focus; latter exudes of the apocalyptic (a Saint staple) in light of its sublime complexion and forward use of ‘Hey! Hey!’ backing vocals.What we hear on the two tracks is Saint hearkening back to an accessible ’80s / early ’90s sound.Many of the heavier ”Heaven Fell” moments reveal over its second half. It starts with “The Exile Of Cain” as an ominous reflecting commands the somber verse sections and hulking power a weighty refrain to touch upon thrash like intensity, but also includes “Words Of Wisdom” from mirroring the doom like with its portent riffs and mauling tempo as the lower register is approach.Finally, “Vengeance” represents a shorter (three and half minute) speed based track reveling in all out energy and chaotic mindset to go in hand, not to mention Jared Knowland’s intricate drum timekeeping.”Heaven Fell” is terrific melodic metal album. Impression with repeat listen is that Saint worked itself to death on the songs in that each brings that unique hook, riff or melody to separate on its own and make an impression. A full measure of this regard attributes to the talented songwriting team of Smith, Johnson and Lynch (music) and Nelson (lyrics).Am I out of line to suggest accordingly that ”Heaven Fell” is destined to rank with other highly regarded classic albums from the genre such as Snakes In The Playground (Bride), Detonation (Bloodgood) and To Hell With The Devil (Stryper)? Only time will tell, but if into Saint or US classic / traditional melodic metal then I cannot help but give ”Heaven Fell” the highest recommendation.

Line-Up:

David Nelson – Lead Vocals
Jerry Johnson – Guitars
Matt Smith – Guitars
Richard Lynch – Bass
Jared Knowland – Drums

Tracklist:

01. Holier Than Thou
02. Creature
03. Dance of the gods
04. Morning Star
05. Make Believe
06. Chosen One
07. Vengance
08. Fallen Armor
09. The Exile of Cain
10. Words of Wisdom
11. Heaven Fell




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Saint - Immortalizer (2024)











Year : 2024
Style : Heavy Metal , Christian Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 108 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:

While the history of Saint dates back to the early 1980s, when Richard Lynch and company recorded songs under the band name The Gentiles (some of those songs making making it to the debut Saint EP), we can’t help but point out that this year marks the 40th Anniversary since that first official Saint release, Warriors of the Son, hit the world in 1984. I discovered that release within a year of it’s initial appearance, but find it hard to believe it has been that long (after all, I’m not even that old).Forty years later, the band appears stronger than even, dropping into the world their 14th recorded effort (counting the 2004 re-record of W.O.S. as a separate release), and what a release this is. While the band struggled a bit with member changes ten years ago, especially the loss of long time vocalist Josh Kramer, Immortalizer marks the third album in a row with the same solid line-up. Hopefully by now, fans have come to fully accept the modern Saint 2020’s sound with David Nelson at the helm.The previous two releases featuring David, 2020’s The Calf and 2022’s Heaven Fell, are indeed top-notch and some of the band’s strongest material, yet this time around, the band has given us, dare I say, yet a stronger release. Maybe it is just because this material is so fresh with me at this time, but from the first listen, I felt somewhat wowed from song to song.No, the band does not break any real new ground or make any radical changes in their sound direction like some bands have done from album to album, but their consistency is a strong point, especially when it doesn’t leave the listener bored with more of the same straight forward metal. This is 100% the Saint sound, but stepping it up time and time again.The album opens with the title track Immortalizer. A real scorcher, and the first promotional video to drop from this release. Coming out of the gates with full guns blazing, the killer riff and high octane scream harkens back to excitement, energy and feel of when we first heard the opening track In the Night from 1986’s Times End, building the thrill for that is about to come.There are no mellow songs on this album, the whole album is consistently hard or heavy, though at different speeds, containing enough dynamics from track to track to not give you listener’s fatigue.Eyes of Fire strikes me as one of the strongest songs here, not due to heaviness of it, but more of a, dare I say, commercial appeal. The big vocal feel, and overall presentation just stand out as real potential for a single.Repent alternates between mid and standard speeds, while the Congregation gives you straight metal with a chant-along section to engage the audience. From the almost regal sounding guitar intro of Into the Kingdom, the battle themed heaviness of The Loyal, the anthemic beat and feel in Blood of God, to the more emotional feel of Where Is the Faith, this album should keep the interest of most listeners.My Cemetery almost fools you into thinkin it is a ballad, as it starts softer, almost somber, before kicking in. Due to the title/topic and the occasional slow down in speed at times throughout the song, it feels like the band toys with a slightly doom metal sound on this one. I love it.Another stand out song for me is Pit of Sympathy. A guitar players dream, filled with shredding and solo after layered solo throughout the entire song; so much so, that when the song ends, you might be left asking—were there any words in that tune? There are, but it is more of a few simple verses without any real chorus section, truly making the guitar shine throughout.The album ends with the longest track found this time around, Salt In the Wound, taking you on a musical journey, starting out with a mellow, almost classical sounding guitar part before launching full force into another barrage chanting intro. What a powerful ending track, taking you through high energy, to mid energy, to slower energy, and then right back to high energy transitions layered with shredding guitars and high screeching screams, this is a powerhouse way to end another impressive notch in the belt of the Saint catalog.After forty years, the Saint train shows no signs of getting tired or slowing down, which is absolutely fine by me when they continue to give us material like this.

Line-Up:

Dave Nelson - Vocals (2018-present) - See also: ex-Electronomicon
Jerry Johnson - Guitars (2003-2006, 2008-present)
Matthew P Smith - Guitars (2013-present)
Richard Lynch - Bass (1982-1989, 1999-present) - See also: ex-The Gentiles
Jared Knowland - Drums (2011-present)

Tracklist:

01. Immortalizer 04:18
02. Repent 03:53
03. My Cemetary 04:19
04. Eyes of Fire 05:08
05. The Congregation 04:19
06. Pit of Sympathy 03:33
07. Into the Kingdom 03:50
08. The Loyal 03:35
09. Blood of God 04:13
10. Where's the Faith 04:00
11. Salt in the Wound 05:38




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/