ARMORED SAINT's Joey Vera Speaks Out on the Heavy Metal Pigeonhole
In a raw and revealing conversation with Neil Jones of TotalRock, ARMORED SAINT bassist Joey Vera opened up about the persistent challenge of being boxed into the 'heavy metal' label. Vera shared that this categorization has haunted the band since their inception, often blurring the lines of their true musical identity. 'Sometimes it is [a disservice]. And that's kind of been, dare I say, plaguing us since day one,' he lamented. The band’s roots have always been complex, oscillating between thrash influences due to their early connections with METALLICA and the hair metal wave that swept Los Angeles in the '80s, despite having little in common with either scene. 'We were sort of stuck in the middle,' Vera reflected, emphasizing their desire to draw inspiration from legends like UFO and THIN LIZZY.
Vera's sentiment speaks volumes about the struggle of artists who refuse to conform to the rigid confines of genre expectations. He stated, 'It’s something that’s maybe confused people along the way, and probably still does to this day.' Yet, in the face of this confusion, ARMORED SAINT remains steadfast in their mission to create music that resonates with them first and foremost. 'I wanna be proud of the music that we write, and we are,' Vera asserted, acknowledging that while the journey has its challenges, the rewards are profound.
When the conversation turned to their iconic frontman, John Bush, Vera didn't hold back his admiration. 'He is the voice of ARMORED SAINT. And no one else could fill those shoes — like, not even close.' Praising Bush's distinctive vocal prowess, he likened him to the greats — Bon Scott, Ronnie James Dio, and Rob Halford — acknowledging that Bush's unique style has been a driving force behind the band's sound. 'I knew this for a long time, but I didn't really start to write for him until around 2010,' Vera explained, emphasizing the importance of their deep-rooted history.
As they gear up for their fall co-headlining tour with METAL CHURCH, dubbed 'The Metal Saint Tour 2026', Vera's pride in both the band and Bush shines through. Kicking off on November 2 in San Juan Capistrano, California, and wrapping up on November 21 in Agoura Hills, this tour promises to be an unmissable celebration of metal. The tour will also feature support from LIVEKILL, making it a formidable lineup for fans eager to witness heavy metal's relentless spirit.
ARMORED SAINT's latest album, 'Emotion Factory Reset', released in May via Metal Blade Records, marks a significant chapter in their storied career. Touted as a rebirth, the album showcases a diverse range of musicality and themes, produced by Vera himself with mixing by Jay Ruston. With tracks like 'Close To The Bone', 'Hit A Moonshot', and 'Every Man-Any Man', the band deftly honors their legacy while pushing the sonic envelope into the modern era, proving that ARMORED SAINT is far from being just a name in the heavy metal history books.