John Bush Reunites with Anthrax at Iron Maiden's Epic LA Show
In a recent chat with Ruben Mosqueda of We Go To 11, the legendary John Bush, frontman of ARMORED SAINT, opened up about a night to remember at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Caught in the thrall of heavy metal's finest, Bush caught Anthrax in action as they unleashed their thunderous sound supporting none other than Iron Maiden. The atmosphere was electric, and Bush was more than eager to reconnect with his old bandmates.
"I did, actually. They were nice enough to say come into their... Well, they had like a box — kind of like a box at BMO Stadium," Bush recounted, reflecting on the hospitality shown by Scott Ian's wife, Pearl, who whisked him and his companions down to the inner sanctum. Once in the box, the crew reveled in the crushing performances by Maiden and fellow titans Megadeth, soaking in a perspective that only a select few get to experience, right from the field. "It was, like, down on the field. The view was perfect, and MAIDEN was off the charts," Bush exclaimed, his enthusiasm palpable.
As the conversation pivoted to the indomitable Bruce Dickinson, Bush couldn’t help but pay homage to the iconic Maiden frontman. "Bruce is — not only does he still sound great, his energy level is just ridiculous," he affirmed. At 63, Bush is keenly aware of the demands of the stage, and watching Dickinson command the crowd was a stark reminder of the high bar set by metal legends. Bush also noted the enduring prowess of other titans like Rob Halford and Biff Byford, stating, "These people are an inspiration to me to keep going and to keep singing well."
When the discussion shifted to his pre-show rituals, Bush laid bare his no-frills approach. "What I've learned to do for me is I kind of sing the first few songs of the set. I feel like that's a good warm-up," he explained, revealing a backstage routine that involves belting out songs rather than traditional vocal warm-ups. Though he’s taken lessons recently, he prefers to dive straight into the aggressive sound that defines his artistry.
As if that wasn't enough to fuel metal fans' anticipation, ARMORED SAINT is gearing up for the highly anticipated 'Metal Saint Tour 2026'. Kicking off on November 2 in San Juan Capistrano, California, and wrapping up on November 21 in Agoura Hills, California, the tour will feature METAL CHURCH and support from LIVEKILL. Following a raucous reception during their recent European jaunt, a spring 2027 leg of this killer metal package has been announced, extending the journey from March 19 in Austin, Texas, to April 10 in Las Vegas.
With their latest offering, 'Emotion Factory Reset', ARMORED SAINT is not just resting on their storied legacy. The album, their ninth since 1984, has been described as a musical resurrection, showcasing a blend of diverse themes and relentless energy. Produced by bassist Joey Vera and mixed by Jay Ruston, the album promises to honor their roots while pushing the boundaries of their sound. For fans eager to delve deeper, a special European edition offers the bonus track 'One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)', previously available only in the digital realm. As Bush and his bandmates gear up for the road ahead, the metal world watches eagerly, ready to embrace the next chapter of Armored Saint's storied career.