Whereas a lot of American kids at the time were tuning in to all things NWOBHM related, my group of friends were really interested in everything that was coming out of the US. I remember getting this album the week of its release and couldn’t wait to get home to play it. There was a huge buzz about this band and I had only read articles and seen pictures, they certainly looked the part and I was eager to hear the sounds they made.
The title track opens up the album and it sounds very NWOBHM with the main riff and the gang chorus, but with added melody. Can You Deliver has that classic metal riff that every band has used at some point. I love John Bush’s vocals on this track as he has that very sinister tone to his voice. Mad House is my favourite track on the album. Double kicks pounding away with a killer riff and this is what was awesome about the (then) US metal scene. Take A Turn is (I guess) a power ballad with the emphasis on the power, and Bush’s vocals sound huge. Seducer closes out Side 1 and the vibe I get from this is Judas Priest Killing Machine era.
Mutiny On The World is another of my favourite tracks off the album. A simple chugga riff and that groove that just makes you want to bang that head. Glory Hunter is up next with a very medieval sounding opening riff, and what is otherwise a straight up rocker. Nice drum groove and riff to Stricken By Fate to add a bit of flavour and variety, I love the middle section. It’s hands in the air anthem time with Envy, did Motley Crüe steal that riff and groove? Album close out track is False Alarm, and we are going out with a bang. Nice change of groove after the intro moving into a Maiden-style gallop, then back again.
Armored Saint should have been a whole lot bigger than they were, and maybe they should have spent more time in Europe as their sound is more akin to British bands of the time. Happy daze!
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
