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Raising Fear (1987)
Armored Saint's third record, Raising Fear, was released in August 1987. These guys really suffered because of the label they signed with. Chrysalis had no clue what they were dealing with. They rejected the band’s initial demos for the album and forced the band to do a rotten cover song that didn’t belong and wasn’t going to be a radio hit. Labels like that understood nothing about the spirit of genuine heavy metal, and that disconnect probably added a lot of stress during the making of this record. That said, it may be that tension that helped to fuel the album’s aggressive edge.
This is Armored Saint’s heaviest effort. The riffs rock harder and the songwriting is tight and consistent throughout. The NWOBHM influence weaves naturally into the band’s heavier, more focused sound rather than feeling forced. Unlike some of their other albums, there’s no filler. Aside from the cover song, everything here carries weight and has purpose. Along with the ton of memorable riffs, the vocals really carry this L.P. John Bush’s voice is rough around the edges but controlled, adding just the right amount of grit to the music. It's too bad most people likely know him from his time in Anthrax, because this is where he delivered what is probably his most impressive and passionate vocal performance. Even on the slower “Isolation,” you can hear conviction in every note.
Raising Fear never got the recognition it deserved, but it’s the best example of Armored Saint at their heaviest and most focused. If you're into classic '80s heavy metal and hard rock, this is something worth checking out. Highlights include the title track, "Out on a Limb" and "Book of Blood".
This is Armored Saint’s heaviest effort. The riffs rock harder and the songwriting is tight and consistent throughout. The NWOBHM influence weaves naturally into the band’s heavier, more focused sound rather than feeling forced. Unlike some of their other albums, there’s no filler. Aside from the cover song, everything here carries weight and has purpose. Along with the ton of memorable riffs, the vocals really carry this L.P. John Bush’s voice is rough around the edges but controlled, adding just the right amount of grit to the music. It's too bad most people likely know him from his time in Anthrax, because this is where he delivered what is probably his most impressive and passionate vocal performance. Even on the slower “Isolation,” you can hear conviction in every note.
Raising Fear never got the recognition it deserved, but it’s the best example of Armored Saint at their heaviest and most focused. If you're into classic '80s heavy metal and hard rock, this is something worth checking out. Highlights include the title track, "Out on a Limb" and "Book of Blood".
(29 May 2025)
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