Bold opening: This content is about ARMORED SAINT’s upcoming music video and new album, revealing behind-the-scenes plans and band reflections. Now, let’s rephrase clearly while keeping all essential details intact.
ARMORED SAINT plans to shoot a music video for an as-yet-undisclosed new song this coming Saturday, February 21, in the Los Angeles area. The track is destined for the band’s eagerly anticipated ninth studio album, which is tentatively set for release in April through Metal Blade Records.
Earlier today, the band invited fans to participate in the video’s storyline via social media. They described roles ranging from gritty, rough-edged characters to sharp, upscale personas, with others portrayed as tough fighters or larger-than-life eccentrics. Interested participants should email a recent photo and indicate which dressed look they could arrive in to be considered.
In a November interview, ARMORED SAINT’s singer John Bush discussed the new LP with Mark Strigl. He noted that while the album’s name wouldn’t be disclosed yet, they were nearing the finish of the mixing process, with Jay Ruston handling mixing duties as he did on the previous two records. Bush described the project as sounding killer and very strong.
Regarding the musical direction, Bush said the new material largely continues the band’s recent trajectory—following 2020’s Punching The Sky and 2015’s Win Hands Down—but with noticeable differences. He suggested the record would push the band’s hard rock and heavy metal sound forward in a sophisticated way while still unmistakably bearing the ARMORED SAINT identity. He also reflected on balancing nostalgia with a contemporary feel, aiming to sound modern without echoing other modern groups, and emphasized the ongoing tension between looking back and moving ahead.
Bush also commented on the six-year gap between Punching The Sky and the forthcoming album, attributing the delay to the COVID-19 pandemic and extended touring. He expressed enthusiasm about the material, noting that the record’s writing benefited from their touring experiences and that the new songs embody where the band is now, set to be showcased in 2026.
In earlier September remarks to Pete Pardo of Sea Of Tranquility, Bush highlighted that touring in support of Punching The Sky helped them reconnect with fans and rebuild momentum, even though it extended the album timeline. He stressed that the quality of the songs remains the priority, with the band committed to delivering a record that builds on their prior work.
Bush later reflected on how touring increased the band’s visibility and suggested they might be bigger than ever, acknowledging that their upcoming release would reflect increased songwriting sophistication and a willingness to experiment with arrangement and instrumentation—while maintaining the SAINT essence. He underscored that fan reception would ultimately determine the project’s impact.
Bassist Joey Vera, speaking to Metal Kaoz in November 2024, described the new material as distinctly different from Punching The Sky while still driven by strong songwriting. He emphasized capturing a moment in time—post-COVID and returning to the world—as a source of inspiration, with a readiness to take some chances musically.
Earlier in June 2024, ARMORED SAINT released a cover of One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison), originally written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter and first performed by PEOPLE in 1970. The track was produced by Vera, mixed by Jay Ruston, and mastered by Maor Applebaum. The band also released Symbol Of Salvation Live, a 2021 Metal Blade Records CD/DVD celebrating the 30th anniversary of the album, featuring a full performance at New York’s Gramercy Theatre from a 2018 tour.
In July 2023, ARMORED SAINT was inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame at Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood. In May 2023, their long-awaited documentary Armored Saint: Band Of Brothers premiered in their hometown at the Harmony Gold Theatre in Hollywood.
