Armored Saint

Brothers Phil and Gonzo Sandoval founded Armored Saint in Los Angeles in 1982 together with guitarist Dave Prichard, vocalist John Bush and bassist Joey Vera. The band soon signed with Chrysalis Records and issued March of the Saint in 1984. Delirious Nomad followed in 1985. Phil Sandoval left during its recording, and the band made Raising Fear in 1987 as a four-piece, after which they parted ways with Chrysalis.

Prichard was diagnosed with leukemia in 1989 and died in 1990, before recording for the next album began. With Phil Sandoval back in the band and Jeff Duncan joining on guitar, Armored Saint returned to Metal Blade for Symbol of Salvation in 1991, built on songs written while Prichard was still in the band. In 1992 Bush accepted an offer to join Anthrax, and Armored Saint came to a halt.

The Symbol of Salvation line-up reunited in 1999 and released Revelation on Metal Blade in March 2000, with Bush singing for both Armored Saint and Anthrax until he left Anthrax in 2005. Vera also spent many years as bassist for Fates Warning. Armored Saint continued at their own pace, releasing La Raza in 2010, Win Hands Down in 2015 and Punching the Sky in 2020.

Their ninth studio album, Emotion Factory Reset, came out on Metal Blade on 22 May 2026. It was produced by Joey Vera and mixed by Jay Ruston, and was recorded by the same five musicians who have made up the band since the reunion – Bush, Vera, Duncan and the two Sandoval brothers.

Current line-up: John Bush (vocals), Phil Sandoval (guitar), Jeff Duncan (guitar), Joey Vera (bass), Gonzo Sandoval (drums)