Saint: Immortalizer |

Immortalizing Heavy Metal

(Armor Records – 2024)

I have to admit that Saint is one of my favorite Heavy Metal bands of the 80’s, and to see that even in these years they are still going strong, giving battle and releasing top level albums, can only make me happy. The last thing we got to hear from Saint was the excellent “In The Battle” from 2006. In between, we missed some of the albums they have been releasing in the last years. This is how we arrived at “Immortalizer”, their latest album, which, with one hand on the heart, has nothing to envy to their best albums released in the ’80s. It is noticeable that Richard Lynch, beyond the different formations of the band through the years, knows how to take the ship to a good port, with the wind at his back and not losing the compass at any time.
“Immortalizer” is a hymn to the divine forces of Heavy Metal. With a classic and seamless formula, Saint achieves what other bands can not achieve over the years, which is to make a good album, simple, without weird inventions and without having to resort to other genres to achieve a strong work with good songs. The metal spirit is present, and although someone may think that there is nothing new under the sun here, the observation is valid. Saint proposes only Heavy Metal, direct and to the point, so whoever is looking for something new, this is surely not the path to take. The fact is that this work has so much of the glorious ’80s that the truth is that it will please those who are looking for true Metal.

In 46 minutes, and with 11 tracks, “Immortalizer” is a continuity in the characteristic sound of Saint. Lots of riffing, guitar solos, riding songs and electrifying choruses. At some point, they could be the perfect cross between the less subtle Judas Priest and Saxon, even if the comparisons are somehow bad. Saint has its own characteristics even if it sounds like a compliment. The band has a classic line-up; 5 members, a microphone, two violas, bass and drums. Nothing big, but even with that it might not be enough, but Saint manages to capture in “Immortalizer” good songs, and that’s the most important thing at the end of the day.
Anyway, it is worth noting that the sound achieved on this album has a lot of solid guitar work with a strong and sustained base. It is evident that a lot of emphasis has been put on the guitars, thus achieving a final, overloaded sound that is a sampler of different sounds of the six strings.
To mention some of the high points of this album, we have a strong start with the title track. Then we have that kind of Manowar-like epic in “My Cemetery”, one of the best songs of the album. “Eyes Of Fire” sounds like a full-fledged metal anthem. The NWOBHM sound confirms assistance in “The Congregation”, another of the high points. “Where’s The Faith” is another one of the interesting hymns of this album, with a certain air of ballad and ‘Salt In The Wound’ is an excellent way to close the album. Strong and straight to the chin. The other tracks that complete the album keep in the same line that we have mentioned.
Saint is one of the legends of White Metal, but they were never very well considered, being more a cult band than one of the mainstays of the movement born in the ’80s, why is that? We will never know. In spite of that, the band keeps going strong and releasing one album better than another, and that’s what counts.
For a few years now, Saint has remained independent, producing their albums independently and through their own label “Armor Records”, and this one is no exception. The cover doesn’t really say much, it doesn’t surprise and the inner envelope is correct, with the lyrics of the songs and technical data of the album. Indeed, this work was recorded by the band itself (we assume in their own studios) although mixed and produced by Jared Knowland. Regarding the lyrics, they logically have a Christian content, but without falling into redundancy or commonplaces. Let it be understood, the lyrics go through several topics but from a Christian point of view, not the other way around.

The great work of the vocalist David Nelson stands out, a great singer, tough without more. The double viola solos and the different guitar sounds really fill any self-respecting metal soul. This Saint’s line-up may not be the original or with previous members from the ’80s (except for Richard Lynch, of course), but there is no doubt that the maxim “the order of the factors does not alter the product” is reflected here in the best way. No matter who passes through the band, Saint keeps the fire of Heavy Metal in its best essence, and that is what is important.
With “Immortalizer” it is clear that Saint does not negotiate its style nor does it finish off its prestige. The band has been reinforced in the last years with new faces, but they keep a line, and that’s what matters.
One thing that is very important to point out is that this work is available both on CD and Vinyl, which is not a minor issue. You can get it at: https://armorrecords.wixsite.com/saintsite/home