ARMORED SAINT

A pioneer and one of the pillars of the American metal scene since the early '80s, Armored Saint emerged in Los Angeles in 1982. The band consists of John Bush (vocals), Phil Sandoval and Jeff Duncan (guitars), Joey Vera (bass), and Gonzo Sandoval (drums). From their debut on the Metal Massacre II (1982) compilation to Punching the Sky (2020), their discography includes eight studio albums, one EP, three live albums, and a collection.

Set to make their second appearance in Brazil at Bangers Open Air 2025, Armored Saint achieved success in the 1980s with March of the Saint (1984), Delirious Nomad (1985), and Raising Fear (1987). Before the release of the equally classic Symbol of Salvation (1991), the band was forced into a hiatus due to issues with their record label and the tragic loss of guitarist Dave Prichard, who passed away from leukemia in 1990. The group eventually split when John Bush joined Anthrax in 1992 to replace Joey Belladonna. However, they reunited in 1999 and have since continued touring and releasing albums, including La Raza (2010), Win Hands Down (2015), and Punching the Sky (2020).

"We never gave in to selling ourselves out, turning our music into something canned, or portraying an image of something we're not. With us, fans can be sure they're experiencing something 100% musical," Joey Vera once told Roadie Crew magazine. John Bush, who also left a lasting impact during his time with Anthrax, adds: "The last thing we want is to feel like we're just fulfilling an obligation or releasing an album just to go on tour. Records are immortal. They’ll be here long after we’re gone. Each one needs to have its own unique value."