Saint
In 1979, the band originally formed in Salem, Oregon under the name 'Power Faith' with band members John Mahan, Russ Koch, Jim Maxwell and the Late Bob Page. It wasn't long before 'Power Faith' broke up with the members going their separate ways. However, Just a year later, all members except Bob Page reunited under the moniker 'The Gentiles'. With the band primed and ready, they entered the studio to record their first demo with a stand in Vocalist-Max Clark. Things never took off and the group disbanded in 1982.
Later within that same year-1982, Bassist-Richard Lynch and drummer-Gene McClindon both with a strong desire to continue in the Metal scene, formed a new band under the current name 'Saint'. Guitarist/Vocalist Josh Kramer soon joined completing the group. The newly formed band performed a few gigs and soon began thinking about the idea of starting their own label.
1984 saw the birth of the new label Rotton Records. With their own label, the band quickly moved forward and released an EP titled 'Warriors Of The Son'. The band consisted of Josh Kramer(Vocals), John Mahan(Guitars), Richard Lynch(Bass), and Brian Willis(Drums).
Then in 1989 Saint released their well known full-length album 'Too Late For Living'. This release gained some additional help from Guitarist-Dee Harrington and Drummer-John Perrine. Just as things were taking off for the band, everything came to a halt as the members all went their separate ways.
In 2003 the band reformed through the efforts of Richard Lynch with Josh Kramer on Vocals, new Guitarist-Jerry Johnson, and Drummer-Larry London. Then in 2004, they released an album titled 'In The Battle'.
In the spring of 2004 Dee Harrington returned to the band and later that summer Tim Lamberson finishes the line up as the thunderous new Saint drummer. By Nov. 2004 Warriors Of The Son is re-recorded and the boys are prepping to Play shows.
The band marches on with their True Metal Mission for the Lord. 2006 saw the release of the blistering album "The Mark" with the lineup of Josh Kramer, Dee Harrington, Richard Lynch, and Larry London. "The Mark" was a slightly more aggressive Saint album with a lot of the material bordering on Speed/Thrash Metal.
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 one of their best efforts to date. "Hell Blade" which 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.
Later within that same year-1982, Bassist-Richard Lynch and drummer-Gene McClindon both with a strong desire to continue in the Metal scene, formed a new band under the current name 'Saint'. Guitarist/Vocalist Josh Kramer soon joined completing the group. The newly formed band performed a few gigs and soon began thinking about the idea of starting their own label.
1984 saw the birth of the new label Rotton Records. With their own label, the band quickly moved forward and released an EP titled 'Warriors Of The Son'. The band consisted of Josh Kramer(Vocals), John Mahan(Guitars), Richard Lynch(Bass), and Brian Willis(Drums).
Then in 1989 Saint released their well known full-length album 'Too Late For Living'. This release gained some additional help from Guitarist-Dee Harrington and Drummer-John Perrine. Just as things were taking off for the band, everything came to a halt as the members all went their separate ways.
In 2003 the band reformed through the efforts of Richard Lynch with Josh Kramer on Vocals, new Guitarist-Jerry Johnson, and Drummer-Larry London. Then in 2004, they released an album titled 'In The Battle'.
In the spring of 2004 Dee Harrington returned to the band and later that summer Tim Lamberson finishes the line up as the thunderous new Saint drummer. By Nov. 2004 Warriors Of The Son is re-recorded and the boys are prepping to Play shows.
The band marches on with their True Metal Mission for the Lord. 2006 saw the release of the blistering album "The Mark" with the lineup of Josh Kramer, Dee Harrington, Richard Lynch, and Larry London. "The Mark" was a slightly more aggressive Saint album with a lot of the material bordering on Speed/Thrash Metal.
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 one of their best efforts to date. "Hell Blade" which 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.
Over the past three decades, Saint has released 9 studio albums, charted on Billboard, and was featured in Metal Edge, Circus, HM and many other magazines. Having recently parted ways with long-time vocalist, Josh Kramer, the band has quickly regrouped with an entirely new sound found in new frontman Brian Miller, and in addition, a new Lead Guitarist takes the stage-Matt Smith who assumed the position of guitarist Dee Harrington.
In 2014 Saint released their 10th studio album titled 'Broad Is The Gate' with the band taking the idea for their title track from scripture as seen here:
Mathew 7:13,14
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.
As mentioned above, Frontman Josh Kramer has been the lead Vocalist for Saint since their conception in 1982 and has played a big part in the band's long history of ministry. Josh has been one of the key elements that have helped this outfit build a strong fan base as well. With that said, with the release of 'Broad Is The Gate', we see a new lead Vocalist being handed the baton. That Vocalist is none other than Brian Miller who seems to just appear out of the wood works. However, Brian Miller stands up as a strong replacement helping to take the band to new heights.
I've always viewed Saint as more or less a "biker Metal outfit" complete with spiked leather garb and a Vocalist that sounds like Judas Priest. However, with the release of 'Broad Is The Gate' we see a new band emerging from the ashes. We find a band with a new sound with the ability to appeal to a much larger audience. With this release, Saint captures what was great about the 80s era Vocal styles and what's great about modern day Metal arrangements.
In some ways, Vocalist-Brian Miller's delivery often reminds of some well known Vocalist like Stephen Patrick(Holy Soldier) mixed with touches of Henrik Bath(Harmony), also present are pinches of BlackieLawless(W.A.S.P.) along with a strength that reflects Rob Rock. Brian also does a good job of varying his Vocal deliver from track to track going from a normal mid-range delivery to a heavy raspy delivery.
Sometimes everything just comes together and meshes for a band on a specific album and that is exactly what has happened here for Saint on this 2014 release. There's plenty of diversity from song to song with everything from Symphonic Epic Metal to driving Heavy Metal. For fans of guitar solos, the album closes out with "Metal Cross" which explodes with some killer Power Metal shredn'.
The guitar work is handled from a duo approach from both Matthew P. Smith(lead Guitars) & Jerry Johnson(Guitars). From beginning to end, Smith & Johnson unleash an all out assault that hits as hard as a hammer striking the anvil. Matt Smith does a good job on lead with some seriously blistering fast finger work. Jerry Johnson holds up his end like a train that just won't stop as it just chugs along. There's plenty of guitar noodling, Power riffs, and driving guitars to make this a memorable listen.
Our percussionists are Jared Knowland on Drums and Richard Lynch on Bass. Jared does a good job of keeping time and keeping things rockn' along. Lynch handles the Bass well carrying out and extending the heaviness for the band.
Lyrics are thought provoking and Christ centered as you can see here:
Lyrics are thought provoking and Christ centered as you can see here:
"Broad Is The Gate"
Riding the edge of the night into darkness
Fading away in the sun
The roar of the Road King the wind in your face
The signs of a new day has dawned
The war in your sole never stops its invasion
And time never stands still for one
Like thousands of vandals approaching with terror
Know that your world is undone
Broad is the gate
That leads us into sorrow
Anguish and pain
Will fill each lonely day
Wide is the highway
That's paved with good intentions
Narrows the path
That leads us to the way
Cursing and sneering and spitting with hate
Trampling the ones who you love
Losing your grip now your life is in danger
Looking to heaven above
Tearing your robe with a fit so enraged
The cross road and gate opens wide
With boots on the ground when you’re posing for war
The road that you chose you decide
As the seasons change
The day's become so clear
Life goes racing on
So let me make this clear
As the seasons change
A day a week a year
Life goes racing by
So let me make this clear
"Who You Are"
I walked the streets last night
Distressed and feeling low
To seek the answer to my soul
And as I looked and saw
the star cut through the night
The answers I desired
were coming from a distant fire
So many times I’ve wasted
Long and lonely nights
To find a reason on my own
But in the turning pages
Darkness turned to light
And then I saw the Star
I finally found out who You are
Oh You bare the scares
A shinning star is what You are
You spill Your life blood out for me
And with no dignity You took my shame
And I’m to blame
Oh Jesus I know who You are
You’re the bright and morning star
For all lyrics to 'Broad Is The Gate' you can go to the following link:
http://armorrecords.wix.com/saintsite#!broad-is-the-gate/c1748
Riding the edge of the night into darkness
Fading away in the sun
The roar of the Road King the wind in your face
The signs of a new day has dawned
The war in your sole never stops its invasion
And time never stands still for one
Like thousands of vandals approaching with terror
Know that your world is undone
Broad is the gate
That leads us into sorrow
Anguish and pain
Will fill each lonely day
Wide is the highway
That's paved with good intentions
Narrows the path
That leads us to the way
Cursing and sneering and spitting with hate
Trampling the ones who you love
Losing your grip now your life is in danger
Looking to heaven above
Tearing your robe with a fit so enraged
The cross road and gate opens wide
With boots on the ground when you’re posing for war
The road that you chose you decide
As the seasons change
The day's become so clear
Life goes racing on
So let me make this clear
As the seasons change
A day a week a year
Life goes racing by
So let me make this clear
"Who You Are"
I walked the streets last night
Distressed and feeling low
To seek the answer to my soul
And as I looked and saw
the star cut through the night
The answers I desired
were coming from a distant fire
So many times I’ve wasted
Long and lonely nights
To find a reason on my own
But in the turning pages
Darkness turned to light
And then I saw the Star
I finally found out who You are
Oh You bare the scares
A shinning star is what You are
You spill Your life blood out for me
And with no dignity You took my shame
And I’m to blame
Oh Jesus I know who You are
You’re the bright and morning star
For all lyrics to 'Broad Is The Gate' you can go to the following link:
http://armorrecords.wix.com/saintsite#!broad-is-the-gate/c1748
My only complaint with this album is that it's a bit too short clocking in at only around 31 minutes . With that said, hopefully in the near future we will hear a full-length album with this same lineup because there's one thing for sure, Saint has our full attention with this stellar release.
If you love listening to Metal then your in good hands here with Saints 2014 release because Saint has delivered up some top-shelf Metal that will leave almost any Metal Head hungry for more.
Musicians:
Brian Miller-Vocals
Matthew P. Smith-Lead Guitars
Jerry Johnson-Guitars
Richard Lynch-Bass
Jared Knowland-Drums
Brian Miller-Vocals
Matthew P. Smith-Lead Guitars
Jerry Johnson-Guitars
Richard Lynch-Bass
Jared Knowland-Drums